TG4's Gradan Ceoil awards return to Belfast for a second year on Sunday February 17.
The live traditional Irish music concert and awards show will be staged at The Waterfront Hall, with live turns by Belfast's own Four Men & A Dog and All Ireland Céili band champions The Thatch Céili Band from London.
There will also be live performances from the six Gradam Ceoil 2019 recipients who will be recognised for their talent and contribution to traditional Irish music during the awards ceremony hosted by TG4's Doireann Glackin and Belfast-based musician Dónal O’Connor of Ulaid.
The Gradam Ceoil recipients will be presented with a specially commissioned piece by leading sculptor John Coll, as well as a small stipend.
This year's recipients are; Catherine McEvoy (Musician of the Year), Conor Connolly (Young Musician of the Year), Nicky and Anne McAuliffe (Lifetime Achievement), Thomas McCarthy (Singer of the Year), Brendan Mulkere (Outstanding Contribution) and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill (Musical Collaboration).
They will be joined in live performances by special musical guests including Irish fiddler Paddy Glackin, Michael McCague and multi-instrumentalist Sinéad Egan, with guest presenters also taking to the the stage throughout the ceremony.
This year's awards will be preceded by a dedicated Gradam Fringe Festival with free music events and workshops running between February 15 and 17.
Highlights include Bagpipes of the First World War (Linen Hall Library, February 15, 7pm), Pop Up Archive with ITMA and TG4 Gradam Ceoil (St George's Market, February 16, 9.30am – 3pm), Fiddle Workshops with former Gradam Ceoil Winners Claire Friel and Liam O’Connor (Cultúrlann Mc Adam Ó Fiaich, February 16, 2pm, pre-registration required via gradam@redshoe.ie) and live music from Ceoltóirí Loch Lao (St George’s Market, February 17, 10am).
For those wanting to make the most of weekend's festivities, special deals are available at The Europa Hotel. Packages start from £140 for a one-night stay in a double room with a pair of tickets for Gradam Ceoil. Two and three-night packages are also available between Friday February 15 and Sunday February 17 – for details see Hastingshotels.com or call 028 9032 7800.
:: Gradam Ceoil TG4 2019 tickets are priced from £22.50 via Waterfront.co.uk and 028 9033 4455. Full info at Gradam.ie
