The Department of Music is delighted to congratulate Dr Ryan Molloy, who was named Composer of the Year 2024 by TG4 Gradam Ceoil.
Gradam Ceoil TG4, now in its 27th year continues to recognise and celebrate the absolute best in performance and cultural impact in seven categories.
The announcement of the annual awards is an important moment in the traditional music calendar not just to recognise the achievements of the seven awardees but also to celebrate the outstanding talent that our country has to offer. The awardees reflect the outstanding vibrancy, diversity and huge work being done to ensure that our tradition continues to evolve with such flair and will be handed down in the best of health!
GRADAM CEOIL TG4 2024 / Musician – DEREK HICKEY
AMHRÁNAÍ TG4 2024 / Singer – EOGHAN Ó CEANNABHÁIN
CEOLTÓIR ÓG TG4 2024 / Young Musician – MACDARA Ó FAOLÁIN
GRADAM SAOIL TG4 2024 / Lifetime Achievement – JEAN BUTLER
CUMADÓIR TG4 2024 / Composer – RYAN MOLLOY
GRÚPA CEOIL TG4 2024 / Music Group – THE KANE SISTERS
GRADAM COMAOINE TG4 2024 / Outstanding Contribution – CAIRDEAS NA bhFIDILÉIRÍ
Established in 1998, Gradam Ceoil TG4 recognises not just the artistry of awardees but also strives to amplify the success of the recipients and make their music, song and dance available to global audiences through broadcasts on TG4’s platforms. The selection process for Gradam Ceoil TG4 recipients is undertaken by an independent panel, some of whom are past awardees and all of whom play or work within the tradition.
TG4 Commissioning Editor, Proinsias Ní Ghráinne, says, “TG4 is delighted to be afforded this opportunity to recognise these stars that shine bright within our tradition. Gradam is a token of gratitude from us to the many performances who grace our traditional music programs week in, week out. We are delighted that we can help bring their music to global audiences through the live broadcast of Gradam Ceoil 2024 on TG4’s broadcast platforms. Comhghairdeas leis na faighteoirí uilig.”
This year’s Gradam Ceoil TG4 concert takes place at The University Concert Hall in Limerick on Sunday May 5th. Broadcast live on TG4 and across the globe on the TG4 player, recipients will be joined by an array of musical guests and award presenters for a night of vibrant music, fun and entertainment.
The Gala concert and award ceremony will broadcast live on TG4 and TG4.ie from UCH on May 5th @ 9:30pm.
Tickets available at www.uch.ie
Read more here: https://www.tg4.ie/en/other-brands/gradam-ceoil/current-awards/
Biography
Ryan Molloy is a composer and performer from Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone, currently resident in Co. Kildare. His music has been recorded on over thirty albums and his repertoire spans numerous genres from traditional Irish music to contemporary classical music. He has worked with a host of internationally renowned artists such as Fergal Scahill, Seán Óg Graham, Paddy Glackin, Iarla Ó Lionáird, North Cregg, Barry Kerr, the Danish String Quartet, the Ulster Orchestra, and Irish Chamber Orchestra, amongst many others.
He has written over fifty works and his music has been performed to audiences on four continents for over twenty years, as well as featuring regularly in national and international TV and radio broadcasts (including BBC, RTÉ, TG4 and RnaG). As a composer, Ryan has represented Ireland at the prestigious ISCM World New Music Days festivals in Hong Kong (2015), Vancouver (2017) and Auckland/Christchurch (2022).
Described as a ‘milestone’ in traditional piano performance, Ryan’s critically acclaimed first solo recording pianophony was released in 2019 and earned him two RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards nominations in 2020 and 2021. That year also saw the release of Tempered, a new CD of music for uilleann pipes and piano, as well as a digital EP featuring the 30-minute song cycle Buaine na Gaoithe performed by its commissioners, The Damselfly Trio. Ryan is currently Associate Professor of composition at Maynooth University. He is also reported to own a fiddle.