O'Meara brothers and Foster and Allen to receive Gradam Na hÉigse Award

Foster and Allen, along with songwriters and brothers Seán and Frank O'Meara from Mullingar's St Bridget's Terrace, who penned the famous Irish song Grace, are to receive the Gradam Na hÉigse Award from Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann.

The event will take place on Thursday August 10 next at 2.30pm at the Cathedral Of Christ The King during Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann.

The award is to honour the long-time commitment to Irish culture and heritage and the foursome join last year's recipients, former President Mary McAleese and former Taoiseach Brian Cowan, in accepting the prestigious accolade.

Foster and Allen are two of the most successful recording and touring artists to hail from Westmeath. Mick Foster moved to Mullingar with his family in 1960 and has lived here ever since, while Tony was born in Mount Temple village in south Westmeath. The pair will celebrate 50 years in the music business as Foster and Allen in 2025, a feat achieved by very few acts.

The duo have been great ambassadors for their county and country across the world, playing and singing the best of Irish music and song. Mick Foster has a great and distinguished association with Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann. He started going to Fleadh Ceoils in 1962 and in 1963 he won his first Leinster Junior in Portarlington, Laois. The following year he won the Junior All Ireland in Clones, Monaghan. Again, in Clones in 1968 he won the Senior All Ireland and he repeated the performance in Listowel, Kerry in 1970.

Grace, written by two brother’s from St Bridget’s Terrace, Seán and Frank O'Meara in 1985, about the artist Grace Gifford who married Joseph Mary Plunkett in the chapel at Kilmainham Gaol just hours before he was executed in 1916. The song has been recorded famously Jim McCann of The Dubliners, Rod Stewart and most recently by Foster and Allen for their latest album We'll Meet Again, and has gone on to become one of the most popular ever Irish songs.

The O’ Meara brothers are prolific songwriters having written many other songs recorded by international and Irish artists including Meet Me At The Pillar (Dublin City Ramblers), Roisin (Jim McCann), and You’re All That I Need (Daniel O’Donnell).

It is very fitting that during Fleadh 2023 in Mullingar Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann has decided to honour Westmeath people that have made a substantial contribution to Irish culture and heritage.