DONEGAL accordion maestro Dermot Byrne heads the list of recipients of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2013 (Traditional Music Awards) announced at a media reception in Limerick on Tuesday.
Born and reared in Buncrana, 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 and those honoured include legendary Donegal fiddler and composer, Tommy Peoples.
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 30th March.
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.
TG4 Director General, Gaoth Dobhair native Pól Ó Gallchóir said the Gradam Ceoil honours major figures in Irish traditional music during their lifetime.
“We are privileged to organise and sponsor this recognition for these extraordinary and talented artists who instil such pride to our culture and adorn our lives with their music,” he said.