‘Oscar of the Trad Music World’ cherished by Glasgow’s own Kathleen

CHERISH the Ladies were performing on the Joanie Madden riverboat cruise down the Seine, Paris early in June when the call came in from TG4 telling them they had won Grúpa Ceoil (music group) at the Gradam Ceoil Awards 2026.

The ceremony went out live on TG4 from University Concert Hall in Limerick in late September.

Glasgow-born band member, Kathleen Boyle—daughter of renowned Dungloe musician, Hugh Boyle and late wife Kathleen—who joined the all-girl Irish trad group 21 years ago, said they were ‘completely shocked, but incredibly honoured and proud to have been recognised in this way.’

Kathleen grew up in a very musical household, as dad Hughie—an accomplished musician and singer who has played all over Glasgow and Donegal in bars and clubs and still does—always encouraged his family to play music.

Kathleen’s four-year-old daughter Rosie is now beginning her own musical journey with mum’s fiddle, having started lessons with Louise Hunter of Southside Fiddlers.

Kathleen also continues to teach music in St Roch’s Secondary School on a Tuesday night with Irish Minstrels CCÉ branch of Comhaltas, a sure sign she still has her feet firmly on the ground despite being handed the ‘Oscar of the Trad Music World.’

“It’s a great achievement by Cherish the Ladies and long overdue,” Frank McArdle, who established Irish traditional music classes at St Roch’s Secondary in the Garngad in the late 1970s, said of the win. “Kathleen is an amazing musician, composer and teacher. Irish Minstrels are very lucky to have her teaching the accordion every Tuesday at St Roch’s.”

Speaking to Kathleen’s dad, Hughie, who attended the awards ceremony in Limerick along with Kathleen’s husband, David and her sister, Rozanna, he said: “I was absolutely delighted. Over the moon to see Kathleen and all the girls receive their Gradam Ceoil. It was a very proud moment for me, and all the family. No one knows how hard those girls work and the hours they put in to their projects, so I was delighted to see all their efforts being rewarded and recognised. They are not just brilliant musicians, but they are all great music teachers too which is vitally important, and of course they bring so much joy to peoples’ lives through their music.”

Cherish the Ladies (above) who formed in 1985, 41 years ago, have just finished recording their new album, Bridge of Dreams, which will be released soon. There is no denying both the talent and experience contained within the traditional music ensemble and if the success of previous albums, shows and cruises is anything to go by, then their latest creation will not disappoint.

A huge congratulations to Kathleen and her fellow band members from everyone at The Irish Voice and the Irish diaspora in Scotland.