Three outstanding young musicians have been announced as the 2025 recipients of the Gradam Ceoil TG4 Traditional Music Bursary, a prestigious initiative now in its fourth year. Administered by The Duncairn Arts Centre and funded by Belfast City Council, the scheme supports excellence in traditional music and offers a significant investment in the development of emerging talent.

This year’s awardees are Erin Rose Ní Mhaolain, Jude Scott and Oisín Murphy. Each recipient will receive £3,000 towards their artistic and professional development, alongside tailored mentorship and performance opportunities through The Duncairn and its network of cultural partners.

As part of Belfast’s continuing celebration of its designation as a UNESCO City of Music – the only such city on the island of Ireland – the bursary reflects the Council’s wider commitment to nurturing the growth of traditional music within the city and ensuring sustained support for the artists who keep it alive. The initiative has become a vital platform for young musicians to gain recognition, develop their craft and build lasting careers in the traditional arts.

Announcing this year’s recipients, Councillor Sam Nelson, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said:

“We’re thrilled to support the Gradam Ceoil bursaries once again and extend a huge comhghairdeas to this year’s winners – Erin, Jude, and Oisín. This vital initiative nurtures our talented young musicians’ creativity and cultural expression, while fostering the growth of our city’s traditional music scene. As the only UNESCO City of Music on the island of Ireland, we take great pride in our rich musical heritage, and we’re delighted to be hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026. The Gradam Ceoil bursary scheme is playing a key role in celebrating and advancing traditional music and song, whilst offering artists new opportunities and crucial support on their musical journeys.”

Erin Rose Ní Mhaolain, 19, is a multi-instrumentalist from Belfast who plays fiddle, banjo and accordion. A fluent Irish speaker, she is currently studying Irish with Music at Ulster University. Erin Rose is known for her performances at Belfast Tradfest, Féile an Phobail, and Electric Picnic and is an active educator, teaching traditional music in primary schools across Belfast. She also regularly hosts music sessions throughout Ireland.

Jude Scott, a flute player and Music and Audio Production student at Queen’s University Belfast, is a rising figure in the city’s traditional music community. Deeply inspired by Belfast flute players such as Harry Bradley and Desi Wilkinson, Jude is actively involved in preserving and promoting the city’s unique flute-playing tradition. He performs regularly at local venues including Madden’s Bar and Seaton’s of Sailortown and is a member of the band Dall.

Oisín Murphy, originally from Emyvale in County Monaghan and now based in Belfast, is an accomplished banjo and mandolin player and a fluent Irish speaker. A graduate of Ulster University, he has toured extensively across Ireland, Europe, the United States, Ethiopia and the UAE. Oisín is a well-known figure in Belfast’s traditional and folk music sessions and his playing is strongly shaped by the rich musical traditions of the Monaghan-Tyrone-Fermanagh border region.

As the bursary enters its final year in 2026, applications will open again in February via The Duncairn website. The programme continues to offer a vital lifeline for emerging traditional musicians seeking financial assistance, mentorship and recognition within a wider cultural infrastructure.

In a city with deep musical roots and an ambitious cultural vision, the Gradam Ceoil TG4 Traditional Music Bursary stands as a testament to what can be achieved when young talent is given meaningful support.