Co Tyrone musician Cathal Hayden to receive highest accolade at Gradam Ceoil TG4 2026
One of Ireland's top fiddle players Cathal Hayden from Co Tyrone has won the musician category at the 29th Gradam Ceoil TG4 awards, which are widely regarded as the highest honours in Irish traditional music.
A special event was held at Spainish Point, Co Clare, to honour the recipients that were all acknowledged for their outstanding achievement, creativity and cultural impact across seven award categories.
This year’s recipients reflect the richness, breadth and continuing vitality of the tradition, from master musicians and singers to composers, young performers, ensembles and those who have made an exceptional contribution over many decades.
Cathal Hayden was born in 1963 in The Rock, near Pomeroy, an area rich in traditional music.
Raised in a deeply musical household, he began on tenor banjo before turning to the fiddle, carrying forward a family tradition shared by his father and grandfathers.
In 1980, Cathal recorded his debut solo album, Handed Down, with his close friend and mentor Arty McGlynn. The album reflected the music passed down to him at home and marked the beginning of a remarkable recording career, followed by acclaimed releases including Cathal Hayden, Live in Belfast and Hooked on Banjo.
Cathal first came to wider prominence with Arcady in 1988, before co-founding Four Men and a Dog in 1991. Their landmark debut, Barking Mad, became one of the great Irish traditional albums of its generation and won the Folk Roots award for Best Album.
Over the years, Cathal has performed with many of Ireland’s finest musicians, including Christy Moore, Paddy Keenan, Máirtín O’Connor, Seamie O’Dowd, Dónal Lunny and the Bow Brothers. A master of both fiddle and banjo, he has brought passion, energy and imagination to Irish traditional music on stages across the world.
The awardees are selected by an independent panel of previous recipients and leading figures from the traditional music community.
The Gradam Ceoil TG4 2026 concert and awards ceremony will take place at the University Concert Hall, Limerick on Sunday, September 13. The event will be broadcast live on TG4 and worldwide on the TG4 Player, with the recipients joined by special musical guests and presenters for an evening of music, celebration and entertainment.