Michael A. Flanagan Traditional Irish Music Banjo Award

honoring excellence in music

Every year at the Fleadh Cheoil festival the Michael A. Flanagan Music Heritage Inc. sponsors the Michael A. Flanagan Traditional Irish Music Banjo Award. This keeps Michael’s spirit alive through the continued and vibrant use of the instrument to which he contributed so much. We honor talented, innovative, and passionate banjo players who represent the present and future of the music Michael loved so much.

This year’s Fleadh Cheoil is to be held in August 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. To celebrate, we will be holding a special tour, including attendance at the Michael A. Flanagan Banjo Award. Find more information here!

Previous honorees include Mick Moloney (2016), Gerry O’Connor (2017), Kieran Hanrahan (2018), John Carty (2019), John Lynch (2022), Angelina Carberry (2023), Seamus Egan (2024), & Mick O’Connor (2025)