Ba é Keelan McGrath ó Bhoiríos Uí Chéin i dTiobraid Árann a thug leis Bonn Óir Seán Ó Riada oíche Dé hAoine in Óstán an Rochestown Park i gCorcaigh.  Tá Keelan 16, agus tá sé ar an té is óige riamh a bhuaigh an bonn.

Craoladh an chraobh beo ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta agus ba é Peadar Ó Riada a chuir an ócáid i láthair.

Tá Keelan san idirbhliain i gColáiste Pobail Bhoiríos Uí Chéin.  Tá ceathrar uilig sa teaghlach agus tá sé ar an duine is sine acu agus casann siad uilig ceol.  Casann a athair Brendan an bainseó freisin, ach ról tacaíochta atá ag a mháthair Regina a bhí ina theannta oíche Dé hAoine ag an gcomórtas.

Tá Keelan ag casadh ceoil ó bhí sé ocht mbliana d’aois, agus d’fhoghlaim sé a cheird ó Ned Kelly, fear a bhfuil sé an-bhuíoch dó go fóill as an méid a rinne sé dó.

Seo an dara huair go raibh na huirlisí seo, consairtín agus bosca, i gceist sa chomórtas don Bhonn Óir agus cháiligh Keelan don chraobh an chéad uair freisin, gan é ach 12 bliain d’aois an uair sin.

Ní haon iontas é gur thug sé abhaile an duais Dé hAoine, mar tá go leor duaiseanna eile buaite aige le blianta anuas.  Orthu sin tá Craobh na hÉireann faoi 15 dhá bhliain i ndiaidh a chéile, agus an Chraobh faoi 18 anuraidh ag Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Inis, an chéad bhliain dó a bheith san iomaíocht sa rannóg sin.

Bhain sé siar as Keelan nuair a chuala sé go raibh an duais buaite aige Dé hAoine, ach dúirt sé go raibh áthas an domhain air mar sin féin.  Dúirt a mháthair Regina go raibh sí thar a bheith bródúil as.

Ní fada anios go mbeidh Keelan ag bualadh bóthair le taisteal go Luton, Shasana, áit a mbeidh sé ag casadh ag féile do Lá le Pádraig leis an ngrúpa Rigs and Jeels ó Thiobraid Árann.

Craoladh an chraobh beo ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta oíche Dé hAoine, agus is féidir físean den ócáid uilig a fheiceáil freisin ar leathanach Facebook an stáisiúin.

Tipp musician becomes youngest ever winner of Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal

Keelan McGrath from Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary became the youngest musician ever to win the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal on Friday night at an event broadcast live from Cork on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

The final for the award was broadcast as a live concert, presented by Peadar Ó Riada, and this year it was concertina and box players who competed for the prestigious traditional music prize.

Keelan is just sixteen years old, and is the youngest ever winner of the prize.  Keelan also qualified for the final last time it was open to concertina and box players, although that time he was just twelve years old.

Keelan has been playing music for eight years, tutored by Ned Kelly, whom he says has been a great influence.  Keelan is in Transition Year in Borrisokane Community College and he is the eldest of four children, who all play music.  His Dad Brendan plays banjo, but his mother Regina prefers to play a supporting role!

Keelan is no stranger to winning prizes.  He won the All-Ireland under 15 title two years in a row, and last year he took home the Under 18 title in his first year to compete in that category at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis.

He said of his win:

“There was a brilliant standard of music here tonight, so I was surprised but delighted to win.  I can’t really believe it.  I’d like to thank Ned Kelly, Bunny Keogh and Tom Lawlor for all their support, and Mammy and Daddy and the family.”

His mother Regina was thrilled for her son, saying that she was very proud of him and what he’d achieved.

Keelan will soon be heading off to Luton to play at a St Patrick’s Day festival with the band Rigs and Jeels, made up of young musicians from Tipperary.

The Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal final was presented by Peadar Ó Riada live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Friday night.  You can see a live stream of the full event on the station’s Facebook page.