Uilleann piper Colm is TG4’s Young Musician of the Year

CARLOW musician Colm Broderick has been awarded one of the highest honours in Irish traditional music as he is named Ceoltóir Óg TG4 2025 (Young Musician of the Year) at this year’s prestigious Gradam Ceoil TG4 Awards.

The announcement was made during a special ceremony at Iveagh House in Dublin, where TG4 unveiled the seven award recipients who represent the very best in Irish traditional music. Now in its 28th year, the Gradam Ceoil awards are widely considered the premier accolades in the tradition, celebrating excellence in performance, cultural impact and dedication to the craft.

Colm, a gifted uilleann piper, has been hailed for his exceptional technique, deep-rooted understanding of the tradition and passionate commitment to passing on the music to the next generation. He holds multiple All-Ireland titles and was previously awarded the Seán Ó Riada Bonn Óir Medal, further cementing his place as one of the country’s most accomplished young musicians.

In 2019, Colm was entrusted with a rare honour when Na Píobairí Uilleann loaned him the pipes of the late Liam O’Flynn, one of the most influential pipers in Irish music history. This gesture underscored both his skill and his dedication to preserving the tradition with care and integrity.

Although now based in Kerry, Colm’s Carlow roots remain central to his development as a musician. He regularly performs at festivals in Ireland and abroad, and teaches students both online and in person, including at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, one of the most respected traditional music summer schools.

The Gradam Ceoil 2025 concert and awards ceremony will take place on Sunday 4 May at the University Concert Hall in Limerick and will be broadcast live on TG4 and globally via the TG4 Player. This year’s event will also serve as a cultural highlight in Ireland’s programming for Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan, where the honourees will perform as part of Ireland’s international showcase.