www.gradam.ie

An independent panel of adjudicators selects recipients of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil each year. Recipients are presented with a specially– commissioned piece by sculptor John Coll as well as a stipend.

Donegal accordion maestro Dermot Byrne heads the list of recipients of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2013 (Traditional Music Awards). Born and raised in Buncrana in the north–east of the county, his roots stretch to the Teelin Gaeltacht in the south–west and his musical tastes range far and wide. He has been one of the country’s top box players since his teenage years and has been a long–serving member of the internationally renowned group Altan as well as performing regularly with the top names in traditional music and releasing solo recordings too.

This year’s Gradam recipients range over a wide spectrum of talents. Those honoured include a legendary Donegal fiddler and composer, a much–travelled and loved West Kerry singer and musician, a Clareman who was a founder member of The Chieftains, a young fiddler from Monaghan and a pioneering organisation that has almost single– handedly revived the fortunes of an instrument that was in terminal decline.

The full list of TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2013 recipients is: Gradam Ceoil TG4– Dermot Byrne, Ceoltóir Óg TG4 (Young Musician) –Dónal McCague, Gradam Saoil TG4 (Hall of Fame) – Michael Tubridy, Cumadóir TG4 (Composer)–Tommy Peoples, Amhránaí TG4 (Singer)–Séamus Ó Beaglaoich, Gradam Aitheantais TG4 (Special Contribution) – Na Píobairí Uilleann.

This year’s awards will be presented at the Gradam Ceoil Concert in the UL Concert Hall, Limerick on Saturday March 30th. At the concert, hosted by Aoife Ní Thuairisg and Páidí Ó Lionáird, the 2013 Gradam recipients will be joined on stage by their special musical guests. It will be recorded for broadcast on TG4 on the following day Easter Sunday March 31st and promise a unique, star–studded line–up of musicians and award–presenters. This year’s concert is being organised to celebrate The Gathering Ireland 2013 and will showcase the impact that Ireland’s finest musicians have had on the world.

Tickets for the Gradam Ceoil concert can be obtained by telephone from 061 331549 or on www.uch.ie