Flute-player Catherine McEvoy Announced as TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year

Catherine McEvoy

Flute-player Catherine McEvoy Announced as TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year

2019 recipients also include Conor Connolly, Nicky and Anne McAuliffe, Thomas McCarthy, Brendan Mulkere and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill.

Meath-based flute player Catherine McEvoy has been announced as the recipient of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Ceoltóir na Bliana/Musician of the Year award. Born in Birmingham to parents from Roscommon, McEvoy is known for her vibrant flute-playing in the Sligo-Roscommon style. She was a member of the group Macalla and has since recorded several solo and ensemble albums including The Home Ruler in 2008 and Comb Your Hair and Curl It in 2010 with Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Michael O’Raghallaigh. McEvoy is also well known as a teacher and has taught at the Willie Clancy Summer School for many years. Her playing is particularly influenced by Josie McDermott.

In receiving the TG4 award, she joins previous recipients including Matt Molloy, Liam O’Flynn, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Máirtín O’Connor, Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Frankie Gavin.

Young Musician of the Year
Conor Connolly has been announced as the recipient of the Young Musician Award. From Clarinbridge, Co. Galway, Connolly is an accordion player and singer influenced by musicians such as Joe Cooley, Charlie Harris, P.J. Conlon and Tony MacMahon. Connolly has performed in concert with Frankie Gavin, on the television series Hup! and at many festivals at home and abroad.

2019 Recipients
The full list of TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2019 recipients is as follows:

Ceoltóir na Bliana/Musician of the Year: Catherine McEvoy
Ceoltóir Óg/Young Musician of the Year: Conor Connolly
Gradam Saoil/Lifetime Achievement: Nicky and Anne McAuliffe
Amhránaí na Bliana/Singer of the Year: Thomas McCarthy
Gradam Comaoine/Outstanding Contribution: Brendan Mulkere
Gradam Comharcheoil/Musical Collaboration: Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill

The awards will be presented at the Gradam Ceoil TG4 concert in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, on Sunday 17 February 2019. The concert will be hosted by Doireann Glackin and Dónal O’Connor.

The TG4 Gradam Ceoil traditional music awards are an annual event. An independent panel of adjudicators select the recipients each year. The artists are each presented with a specially commissioned piece of sculpture by John Coll.

For more, visit www.gradam.ie

Published on 7 November 2018

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