The Liam O’Flynn Award is a joint initiative of the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the National Concert Hall/An Ceoláras Náisiúnta as part of their partnership for the promotion, appreciation and enjoyment of traditional arts, which also includes the Tradition Now festival of traditional music.

In memory of the piper Liam O’Flynn, the Liam O’Flynn Award celebrates the role of the individual creative traditional artist in the creation of new works, the inception of unique artistic collaborations and innovations, and in the transmission of traditional arts for future generations to enjoy and practice.

The purpose of the Liam O’Flynn Award is to provide a traditional artist with a period of artistic reflection, inspiration and creation in residence in the National Concert Hall and to enhance appreciation, knowledge and enjoyment of the traditional arts across the rich milieu of the National Concert Hall.

The objectives of the award are:

• To provide an artistically supportive, stimulating and challenging environment for the selected traditional artist

• To provide physical work space for their individual reflective and creative artistic work.

• To support artistic collaboration.

• To enable a working relationship with the National Concert Hall’s Learning and Participation team.

• To engage audiences with the traditional arts.

The Liam O’Flynn Award comprises;

• €10,000 towards fees and living expenses during the period, enabling the artist to spend time focusing on practice-based research and creative work in the National Concert Hall.

• €5,000 for fees and other expenses relating to collaboration with other artists and the presentation of work.

• Work space in the National Concert Hall.

• Professional support and career advice.

The Liam O’Flynn Award is open to application from traditional artists working in any of the following genres; instrumental music; singing; dance; oral arts such as storytelling, agallamh beirte or lúibíní. The Liam O’Flynn Award welcomes applications from senior artists, established artists in mid-career, and young and emerging artists.

One award will be made in 2023.