Apr 18

Apr 18 Three Young Belfast Traditional Musicians Receive £3000 Bursary Award

Belfast City Council, in partnership with TG4 and The Duncairn, is proud to announce the recipients of this year's Gradam Ceoil Traditional Music Bursary scheme. This prestigious award, now in its third year, supports three exceptionally talented young traditional Irish musicians and recognises the contribution that they make to the scene in Belfast, a UNESCO City of Music. The successful applicants for 2024 are Cian McGrory, Peter McKenna and Miadhachlughain O’Donnell, who will each receive £3,000 towards the developing their craft, as well as training, mentoring and performance opportunities.

Cian McGrory is a gifted multi-instrumentalist and music educator, specialising in the guitar and uilleann pipes. Coming from a deeply musical family and having an interest in a range of styles from Irish trad to blues, Cian is currently making an impact on the local music scene and he regularly hosts traditional music sessions throughout Belfast.

Miadhachlughain O’Donnell, who performs under stage name Múlú, is a 24-year-old singer and multi-instrumentalist from Castlewellan, Co. Down. In recent years she has made significant waves with her innovative approach to traditional Irish singing and instrumental accompaniment, not just in her solo project but as a member of pioneering tradtronica group Huartán, the fusion collective Afro Celt Sound System and brand new all-female trad supergroup Biird.

Peter McKenna is a five-time All-Ireland champion on the uilleann pipes, with a style heavily influenced by master pipers and his mentor, Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn. His exceptional talent has been showcased on national television and radio as well as major music festivals in Ireland, Europe, and the US. He has been key to establishing the ‘Piping Trad’ weekly session in Maddens bar and a dedicated member of Comharchumann Píobaireachta Béal Feirste which demonstrates his commitment to the traditional music community in Belfast.

The Belfast City Council TG4 Gradam Ceoil Traditional Music Bursary Scheme was established as a legacy to recognise 5 successful years of Belfast being the host city for the prestigious Gradam Ceoil traditional music awards ceremony. The funds will go towards paying for studio recording time, buying musical equipment and professional mentoring to help artists develop a sustainable career in the traditional music sector. The recipients were recently presented with their award by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Ryan Murphy at City Hall, and performed a short session in the chamber. Future opportunities for Cian, Miadhachlughain and Peter include attending this year’s Gradam Ceoil awards in Limerick, showcase concerts and workshops with professionals from the music industry.

The three successful Gradam Ceoil bursary winners were celebrated today in City Hall 🪕🎻

The bursary enhances trad music & promotes Belfast as a UNESCO city of music.

Congrats Miadhachlughain O’Donnell, Peter McKenna & Cian McGrory!
@GradamCeoilTG4 @ourbelfastmusic pic.twitter.com/8gyKQpjePw
— Belfast City Council (@belfastcc) April 16, 2024