Laoise Kelly named Musician of the Year

Westport's Laoise Kelly received the highest accolade at last night's TG4's traditional music awards in Belfast, Gradam Ceoil TG4.

Laoise is Ceoltóir na Bliana 2020 (Traditional Musician of the Year 2020) and was presented with her award by the Minister of Communities, Deirdre Hargey, in front of a full house in Belfast's Waterfront Hall.

Laoise was joined on stage by her son Caoilte Ó Cunaigh, Steve Cooney, Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn, Julie Langan and Diarmuid Gielty. She had plenty of support in the auditorium from Westport and Achill too.

Some of Ireland’s most notable stars from across music, film, sport and civic society assembled in Belfast for the 2020 Gradam Ceoil Music Awards at the Waterfront Hall.

Women led the way in this year's accolades. As well as Laoise being named Musician of the Year, fiddle and cello player Sharon Howley from Kilfenora, Co. Clare, was selected as the Young Musician of the Year, while Lillis Ó Laoire, two-time winner of the premier sean-nós singing competition Corn Uí Riada in 1991 and again in 1994, was awarded the title of Singer of the Year.

The other award recipients were: Lifetime Achievement Award - Séamus Connolly; Outstanding Contribution Award - Ned Kelly; and Composer of the Year - Josephine Marsh.