The confection of celebrity is almost completely absent from Irish traditional music, I’m glad to say.
There are no Hello! articles looking at Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich at home - although that would be a fascinating story in itself – and trad musicians aren’t invited on to panel shows or asked to present documentaries à la Joanna Lumley: The Search for Noah’s Ark or Stephen Fry in America although I wouldn’t mind seeing Gino Lupari’s Italy or Kíla Go To Africa.
Traditional musicians get their kicks from their peers and from their audiences, but the one thing that everyone looks forward to is Gradam Ceoil TG4, where the (usually) unsung are heralded with a fitting fanfare once a year.
The outstanding winners for 2024 were announced during a special lunchtime concert at the University of Limerick’s Irish World Academy last week, a fitting venue where Irish music in all its forms is suited and booted for its journey into the world.
The TG4 Music Awards, now 27 years old, continue to recognise and celebrate performance excellence and cultural impact in seven categories.
The announcement of the annual awards is an important time in the traditional music calendar, not only to acknowledge the achievements of the seven winners but to celebrate the excellent musicians we have in this country.
The winners are an expression of the vibrancy, diversity and excellent work being done to ensure that our tradition continues to be developed in such an artistic way and that the highest quality is passed on to the next generation.
The TG4 Music Award, which was established in 1998, not only recognises the craft of the winners but also seeks to boost the success of the winners and make their music, songs and dance available to interested parties around the world through broadcasts on TG4 platforms.
An independent panel undertakes the selection process for the TG4 Music Award. Several of the panel members are former winners and all play or work within the tradition.
Proinsias Ní Gráinne, commissioning editor of TG4, said that the Irish language station was “delighted to have this opportunity to recognise these talented people within our tradition”.
“The award is a sign of gratitude from us to all these performers who appear in our traditional music programmes week after week,” she said.
“We are delighted to be able to help them make their music available to a global audience through a live broadcast of the 2024 Music Awards on the TG4 broadcasting platforms.”
Indeed, with TG4 programmes available worldwide and - who knows? - farther afield, the value of the station to Irish traditional music is incalculable.
With series after series, people can enjoy authentic Irish music being played in traditional and non-traditional settings. You can watch a session in a pub in Kerry while you’re living in Ulaanbaatar, Kampala, Des Moines or Bucharest.
The Music Awards are broadcast live on TG4 and around the world on the TG4 Player (you must try the TG4 Player if you haven’t already) and various special musical guests and award winners will join the recipients for a lively night of music, fun and entertainment.
The winner of this year’s top prize goes to accordionist Derek Hickey from Adare in Co Limerick.
As usual with traditional musicians, the musical genealogy goes way back.
Derek’s grandfathers played the fiddle and he began his musical career when he was only 10 years old when his uncle left his bosca ceoil behind in the family home.
He continued and was playing dance tunes within a few weeks although he didn’t start classes - led by Dónal de Barra - until he was 12 years old.
He began his career on a professional basis when he joined the Liddy family’s Shannonside Céilí Band which toured England and throughout Europe.
In 1991, Frankie Gavin asked Derek to join him for the regular sessions at the hotel he was leasing at the time in Kinvara, Co Galway.
A year later and aged just 18, Derek joined Arcady, Johnny ‘Ringo’ McDonagh’s band with Frances Black, Brendan Larrisey and Patsy Broderick.
Other guest performers in the band include Sharon Shannon, Cathal Hayden and Gerry O’Connor.
In 1995, Derek joined De Dannan, recording two albums as well as touring until the band disbanded in 2003 but he is also involved in the academic side of things.
He is a button accordion instructor on the Irish music and dance BA course in the faculty Irish Dance and Music Club at the University of Limerick.
Derek is widely recognised as one of Ireland’s leading and most influential musicians and the Gradam TG4 is well deserved.
This column is also delighted to see composer Ryan Molloy get his TG4 gong.
Ryan is a composer and musician from Pomeroy but currently living in Kildare. He has recorded over 30 albums and his repertoire covers a number of genres from traditional Irish music to contemporary classical music.
Amongst the other winners are: Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin (singer of the year); Macdara Ó Faoláin (young musician of the year); dancer Jean Butler gets the Lifetime Achievement Award while the Kane Sisters pick up the musical group title.
Finally, the Outstanding Contribution award goes to Cairdeas na bhFidléirí.
