Ceannródaithe Awards Gala Dinner

Bloomfield House Hotel

Dress Code: Semi Formal

Tuesday 2 August 2022 7:30pm

Price €35

Awardees: Mick Foster, Noel Battle, Sarah Ghriallais, Helena Rowsome, Pádraig Sinnott

‘Ceannródaí na Fleidhe’ Máirt, 2 Lúnasa, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2022.

Bardic Awards Ceremony, Bloomfield House Hotel 7.30 p.m.

Five  Bardic Awardees are  honoured as ‘Ceannródaí na Fleidhe 2022’ by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for their special  contribution to Irish Traditional Music and CCÉ. The ceremony incorporates a seated dinner, presentations, and performances by the awardees.

Mick Foster, a multi All-Ireland champion piano accordionist, has been a member of CCÉ and regular Fleadh ‘goer’ since the early 1960s. He learned Irish traditional music from Frank Gavigan, the 1962 All-Ireland button accordion champion. With  his wife Moyra Fraser Foster, (Frank Gavigan CCÉ, Rathconrath, Branch Secretary)  he is well known for his ‘Mick Foster and Friends’, ‘Gunning’s Sessions’, Fleadh Sessions, Concert and Gig Rig performances. Mick Foster is also known nationwide and internationally as part of the famed duo Foster and Allen. Throughout his international touring, recording, tv appearances and radio broadcasts he has consistently spoken to his love of traditional music and his volunteer involvement with Comhaltas.

Noel Battle, the legendary mouth organ player, is a native of Mullingar. His reputation as one of the master Irish traditional musicians extends throughout Ireland and internationally. Noel has won a record 12 All-Ireland titles, has toured with CCÉ, and performed at the Willie Clancy Summer School mouth organ recital. Noel, with his daughter Carol, has been part of the local Mullingar music scene, playing at local community events and church services in Mullingar and its hinterland. Noel’s membership of CCÉ spans six decades as an active member of the local Branch of CCÉ; he is the current Cathaoirleach of CCÉ, An Muileann gCearr.

Sarah Ghriallais; Tá clú agus cáil ar fud na tíre agus na cruinne ar Sarah mar amhránaí ar an sean nós den scoth leis na blianta fada anuas. Bhuaigh Sarah Corn Uí Riada den chéad uair sa bhliain 1984 agus, i mbliana, bronnadh Gradam Ceoil TG4 Amhránaí na Bliana uirthi. From Muiceanach Idir Dhá Sháile in the Connemara Gaeltacht, Sarah Ghriallais has been recognised as a sean nós singer of exceptional talent and integrity for over four decades. The Griallais family has  a unique record of Corn Uí Riada titles spanning two generations. Sarah has featured on many television and radio broadcasts and recordings, and was the 2017 Sean-nós singer in residence in NUIG

Helena Rowsome is the daughter of Dublin piper Leo Rowsome, founding member of CCÉ. Leo, a remarkably talented piper and pipe maker, was the third generation of the Rowsome family uilleann pipers; piping has now passed onto the sixth generation. Helena, who plays whistle, has been to the fore in researching Leo’s unique contribution to Irish traditional music as a master piper, teacher and  pipe-maker and has been instrumental in the publication of his manuscripts.

Pádraig Sinnott, the Wexford uilleann piper from Boolavouge, has been involved in Irish traditional music and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann from a very young age. Pádraig, who is also a highly accomplished whistle player, performs regularly locally, often with his wife Brigid, at various cultural events which attract international visitors. A music teacher, adjudicator and Comhaltas concert tour artist, Pádraig has also been central to the development of the Fr. Murphy Centre Archive in Boolavogue.

Noel Battle – Photo credit Padraig Donlon

Mick Foster – Photo Credit Ena Doocey, CCÉ

Helena Rowome – Photo Credit Ena Doocey, CCÉ

Sarah Ghriallais – Photo credit TG4

Padraig Sinnott –