About

The Flanagan Award is an opportunity to pay tribute to the great banjo players across traditional Irish music world, whose artistic talents, intellectual gifts, and creative passions represent the very best of Michael Flanagan's music and spirit. The Flanagan family established the Michael A. Flanagan Banjo Award in 2016 to commemorate the Flanagan Brothers' important place in Irish music history as well as celebrating and preserving the richness of Irish culture, history, and identity.

This year's 2026 recipient is Cathal Hayden from Tyrone. Cathal is accomplished banjo and fiddle player who has had a long career in traditional Irish music. Born into a musical family, Cathal recorded his first solo album in 1980 and has been a member of groups such as Arcady, Four Men and a Dog and Bow Brothers. Cathal has also played and recorded alongside artists such as Christy Moore, Paddy Keegan, Donal Lunny as well as regular appearances alongside Mairtin O'Connor and Seamie O'Dowd.