I was lucky enough to be in the audience, last night, for TG4’s Gala music awards ceremony at the University of Limerick.
The fiddler John Carty was awarded ‘Musician of the Year’. Other awards went to Frank Harte, for his work in collating and singing traditional Irish songs. Kerry Box player Johnny O’Leary was also given a special award.
Vincent Broderick was given a lifetime achievement award for his flute compositions. Incidentally, on the night he also played great whistle (a Susato, for those interested in those things).
Performers included all of the above plus…Altan, Four Men & A Dog, At The Racket, Mat Molloy, Donal Lunny and stacks more. It was an incredible night of Irish music with some of the world’s best musicians. I felt very priviledged to be there.
Those of you able to recieve Irish TV can see the show on TG4 on Sunday 16th November at 9.20pm GMT.
Steve