The Trip to Birmingham TradFest proudly presents The Molloy Award. The award is aimed at traditional Irish musicians in the UK and Ireland, aged 25 and under. In memory of Anne and Pat Molloy, who were a staple in Irish Music Pedagogy in Birmingham, the award strives to seek out new musical talent and award excellence and innovation within the idiom of Irish Traditional Music and Song and showcase it in Birmingham, a city steeped in Irish Culture.

 

Groups of 5 or less and solo performers are invited to submit a recording (no more than ten minutes) of themselves playing. The first round will be judged by esteemed musicians Brogan McAuliffe (London) and David Browne (Glagow) who will pick 5 acts to put through to the second round. These 5 acts will be invited to perform in a showcase concert on Saturday 23rd November 2024 as part of The Trip to Birmingham TradFest. The festival will make a contribution of £50 to each musician, towards costs incurred. All artists will also receive an artist weekend pass to the festival. Of these five acts, one is then picked as the winner of The Molloy Award. A panel of judges made up of artists featured at the festival, Birmingham musicians and members of the Molloy family, will be revealed on the day of the final and will choose the winner. The winner will receive a full support slot at the festival in 2025.​​​