Two Galway singers will receive the highest honours of traditional music at this year’s TG4 Gradam Ceoil awards.
The Gradam Ceoil 2022 will be taking place in Dublin for the first time in the awards’ history next month.
Sarah Ghriallais grew up  Muiceanach Idir Dhá Sháile in the Conamara Gaeltacht, steeped in the tradition of sean-nós music.
She won Corn Uà Riada at Oireachtas na Gaeilge in 1984, an award won eight times since by various members of the Griallais family; her sisters Nan and Nora and more recently, her son, Michael Frank Ó Confhaola and her niece Celia Nà Fhátharta.
Helping to keep this oral musical traditional alive, Sarah was appointed the Sean-Nós Singer in Residence at NUIG in 2017.
Her songs have been recorded by Cló Iar–Chonnacht and most recently ‘Idir Dhá Sháile 2’ by Gael Linn.
The most noted songs of her repertoire are ‘Táilliúr a’Mhagadh’, ‘Eileanóir na Rún’, ‘Póg Bhideog’ and ‘Amhrán Chamuis’.
She will be named the best Singer 2022 at the annual TG4 Gradam Ceoil awards, which pay homage to those who have helped to strengthen and preserve traditional music in Ireland.
Also on the night, Galway born singer and founding member of Dé Dannan Doleres Keane will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Delores is described as having one of the most “distinctive, soulful, and sweet” voices of our generation.
She was influenced growing up by the singing of her aunts Sarah and Rita, who raised her from the age of four.
She began her professional singing career with Dé Dannan in 1975 where her unique, soulful, and emotive voice was heard across the globe.
Delores’ work with John Faulkner brought new arrangements to the tradition that was to continue through the 1980’s and early 1990’s.
Her recordings with The Reel Union Band, ‘Solid Ground and ‘Lion in a Cage’ were ground-breaking.
She has collaborated with Emmylou Harris, The Chieftains, Paul Brady in song from the Irish tradition and other traditions.
The awards ceremony will air live on TG4 on Easter Sunday, April 17 at 9:30pm from the National Concert Hall.
The full list of TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2022 recipients reads as follows:
- Ceoltóir /Musician – Paddy Glackin
- Amhránaà /Singer – Sarah Ghriallais
- Ceoltóir Óg/Young Musician – Diarmuid Ó Meachair
- Gradam Saoil/Lifetime Achievement – Dolores Keane
- Cumadóir / Composer – Connie O’Connell
- Grúpa Ceoil/Music Group- Skara Brae
- Gradam Comaoine/Outstanding Contribution – Edwina Guckian
