Major Individual Artist Award For Arty McGlynn

Arty McGlynn

Major Individual Artist Award For Arty McGlynn

Echoing the recent election of Tommy Peoples to Aosdána, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland has given one of its annual Major Individual Artist Awards (MIAs) to guitarist Arty McGlynn.

Arty McGlynn

Echoing the recent election of Tommy Peoples to Aosdána, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland has given one of its annual Major Individual Artist Awards (MIA’s) to guitarist Arty McGlynn. 

The award recognises the special contribution made by established artists, writers, actors and musicians to the arts in Northern Ireland. The financial support makes it possible for these artists to take time out to dedicate to producing a substantial that will make a significant contribution to the development of their careers.

Congratulating this year’s recipients, Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: ‘Each recipient has already made a notable contribution to the arts in Northern Ireland. Our support will now help them to develop further their exciting creative projects, cementing their national and international reputations at a time when international eyes are firmly focused on us.’

Arty McGlynn was born in Omagh, Co. Tyrone into a family steeped in traditional music. In 1979 he recorded his first solo album, McGlynn’s Fancy, the first guitar album of traditional tunes. One of the most sought-after guest musicians in the country, McGlynn has played and recorded with the likes of Christy Moore, Paul Brady, Dónal Lunny, Liam O’Flynn, Planxty, Patrick Street, De Danann and Van Morrison.

With the £15,000 award, McGlynn is planning a new album of original compositions and new arrangements of traditional tunes.

Previous beneficiaries of the Arts Council’s Major Individual Award include writers Carlo Gébler, Damian Gorman, Glenn Patterson and Owen McCafferty, contemporary artists Rita Duffy, Susan MacWilliam, Patricia Craig and Cara Murphy, and composers Brian Irvine and Elaine Agnew.

Published on 24 May 2012

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