Gradam Ceoil TG4 2026 recipient Cathal Hayden celebrated with live concert and awards ceremony
Co Tyrone musician Cathal Hayden was one of the recipients at The Gradam Ceoil TG4 2026 concert and awards ceremony which took place on Sunday at the University Concert Hall, Limerick, in front of a full house, with tickets for the highly anticipated event in exceptionally high demand.
The event was broadcast live on TG4 and worldwide on the TG4 Player, and YouTube Trad TG4 bringing together this year’s recipients, special musical guests and presenters for an evening celebrating the very best of Irish traditional music. Aoife Ní Thuairisg was presenter at Gradam Ceoil TG4.
Established in 1998, Gradam Ceoil TG4 is widely regarded as the highest honour in Irish traditional music, recognising 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 was born in 1963 in The Rock, near Pomeroy, an area rich in traditional music.
He was 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 from Omagh. 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.