Kerry musician, Cormac Begley was announced as the winner of the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal in the final broadcast live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta from the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork on Friday 7th February. The judges were renowned musicians Noel Hill, Mick Mulcahy and Charlie Harris.

Cormac is a member of the well–known Begley musical family from Corca Dhuibhe, West Kerry. A concertina and baritone concertina player, he grew up in the Kerry Gaeltacht surrounded by music, but only started playing himself at 17. After winning the competition Cormac departed late in the night for Dublin airport and a flight to Rome for a concert there. He will shortly be going on a two month tour to New Zealand and Japan with group Rian, which he plays in with Liam Ó Maonlaí, among others.

After receiving his award, he said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted with the prize but I wasn’t expecting it at all, there were so many great musicians playing tonight in the final. I feel this competition is unique because it celebrates music in all its different styles, and it was a brilliant experience to be a part of that, and an honour to win it.’