We are delighted to share that concertina and Irish Traditional Ensemble tutor Dr. Niall Vallely has been awarded the Cumadóir/Composer award in the 2026 Gradam Ceoil TG4 traditional music awards.

Niall is a renowned composer and musician, and his playing has featured on more than 80 albums. He is a founding member of Nomos, and was UCC's Traditional Artist in Residence 2014-15.

The winners of this year's awards will be celebrated with a concert and ceremony at University Concert Hall in Limerick. The concert is on Sunday 13th September and will be broadcast on TG4.

Read more on the Journal of Music.

The Honan Trust UCC invites expressions of interest for the creation of a new commemorative musical work to mark the bicentenary of the birth of Isabella Honan (1826–2026), a figure whose legacy continues to shape cultural and educational life in Cork. We welcome proposals for either a vocal or instrumental composition that thoughtfully reflect Isabella Honan’s contribution to Irish cultural heritage, the university, the values of the Trust, and the significance of this milestone anniversary.

UCC Department of Music lecturer and MA Irish Traditional Music programme coordinator Dr. Jack Talty, and MA Experimental Sound Practice student Colleen Freeman will present and participate in panels at Irish Traditional Music and its Edges on 24th July. The symposium is organised and hosted by Queen's University Belfast's Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC).

We are delighted to send our congratulations to our past Music graduate Óisín Dilger, who recently on completed post-graduate studies at the Royal Carillon School in Mechelen (Belgium) in which he has been awarded the highest category of “With great distinction”.

Óisín was awarded the Staf Gebruers prize in 2023/2024 and we are delighted to see his continued success. Congratulations Óisín!

The Department of Music at UCC was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Desi Wilkinson. Desi was a gifted and acclaimed flute and whistle player, singer, educator, and academic.

FUAIM Music at UCC is delighted to announce the brand-new series of Friday Lunchtime concerts for Spring 2026, and excited to share the season’s line-up with you here. Starting this coming Friday 23 January in the Aula Maxima, we have an exciting and diverse array of artists lined up, including some returning favourites along with some series débuts by first time contributors to the series. As always, all performances begin at 1:10pm and are open to the public and free of charge.

University College Cork (UCC) and the Arts Council have announced fiddler Aoife Ní Bhriain as the 2026 Traditional Artist in Residence.

UCC is one of six universities to partner with the Arts Council on this flagship programme, which reflects the diversity and richness of Ireland’s creative landscape, with programmes spanning Traditional Arts, Digital Arts, Literature and Film.