Miltown Malbay musician Liam O’Brien was announced as the recipient of the Ceoltóir Óg award at the launch of the Gradam Ceoil TG4 awards, the Traditional Music Awards.
Liam began his musical education at the age of 4 under tutelage of his mother, Bríd O’Donoghue, and the legendary Noel Hill. However it is Liam’s own style and sound that makes him stand out as a remarkable young musician with a distinct and memorable musical accent.
Liam is a welcome guest at any traditional music session. A recent graduate of UL, Liam has developed a career as a teacher and performer, touring widely with his musical partner Hajime Takahashi to destinations as diverse as Tokyo, Tanzania, Romania, France, Switzerland, Austria and Scotland as well as festivals and workshops in Ireland.
This year’s Gradam Ceoil TG4 awards will be presented at a concert in the Cork Opera House on Sunday 19th February. At this live televised concert, hosted by well-known musician/broadcasters Tristan Rosenstock and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, the 2017 Gradam recipients will be joined in performance on stage by their own special musical guests in a unique, star-studded line-up of musicians and award-presenters to include Altan, Lunny, Brady & Irvine, The Castle Céilí Band, The Atlantic Arc Orchestra, Na Mooneys, The Macalla Orchestra and many more.
The multi-talented singer, fiddle-player and broadcaster Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh heads the list of recipients of the latest Gradam Ceoil TG4 (Traditional Music Awards). A native of Gaoth Dobhair in the Donegal Gaeltacht, she has been prominent on the national scene for thirty years, particularly as a founder member of the acclaimed and much-travelled super-group Altan.
Other winners include a multi-talented veteran who has been at the cutting edge of developments in the resurgence of traditional music for over 40 years; a Dublin-based flute player who has written a history of traditional music in the capital; a mellifluous traditional singer from south Donegal and a master of harp composition whose original output has graced many of the historical commemorations held in recent years.
Gradam Ceoil TG4 is the premier annual traditional music awards scheme. An independent panel of adjudicators selects recipients each year. It is not a competition. The Gradam Ceoil recipients are presented with a specially-commissioned piece by leading sculptor John Coll as well as a small stipend.
TG4 Leascheannasaí Pádhraic Ó Ciardha says that the Gradam Ceoil continues to honour major figures in Irish traditional music during their lifetime. “TG4 has a deserved reputation for offering a broad range of traditional music and this latest list of Gradam recipients reflects that. As we conclude the commemoration of the channel’s 20th Birthday, we are privileged to curate and sponsor this deserved recognition for extraordinary and talented artists who instill such pride in our culture and who adorn our lives with their music.”