Pauline Scanlon with her Gradam Award.THE Gradam Ceoil TG4 2026 concert and awards ceremony took place on Sunday night at the University Concert Hall, Limerick, and a west Kerry woman was among the recipients.
Pauline Scanlon received the Amhránaí TG4 2026 award. Pauline is described as one of Ireland’s most distinctive voices, an artist deeply rooted in tradition yet constantly pushing its boundaries.
A founding member of FairPlé, Scanlon has been a strong advocate for women in the arts, a commitment that runs through her work and activism. Her album The Unquiet, produced by John Reynolds, reimagines traditional song through the lived experience of modern Irish women, inspired by the life of her late mother, Eileen Scanlon.
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From her acclaimed debut Red Colour Sun to her work with LUMIERE, John Spillane, Dónal Lunny Damien Dempsey, Sinéad O’Connor and The Whileaways, Scanlon has built a career of remarkable collaborations and solo performances. A presenter for TG4 and the BBC, she remains a vital, original force in Irish music.
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.
The awardees are selected by an independent panel of previous recipients and leading figures from the traditional music community.
Other winners on the night were as follows;
• Gradam Ceoil TG4 2026 / Musician – Cathal Hayden
• Gradam Saoil TG4 2026 / Lifetime Achievement – Mickey Dunne
• Grúpa Ceoil TG4 2026 / Music Group – Cherish The Ladies
• Ceoltóir Óg TG4 2026 / Young Musician – Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta
• Cumadóir TG4 2026 / Composer – Niall Vallely
• Gradam Comaoine TG4 2026 / Outstanding Contribution – The Tulla Céilí Band
