Len Graham

Len Graham is one of Ireland’s best-known traditional singers who has gained an international reputation, not only for his inimitable singing style, but also for the breadth of his knowledge of Irish folk music. Len has appeared at numerous Irish and international folk, literary and storytelling festivals, as well as on radio and television programmes.

In 1992, he was awarded the Seán O’Boyle Cultural Traditions Award in recognition of his work in Ireland as a song collector and singer. In 2002, he was honored as the inaugural recipient of the TG4 National Music Award for Traditional Singer of the Year. His rich recording history spans over thirty years, with more than twenty highly acclaimed albums to his credit.

Over the years, Len has worked with numerous musicians, poets and storytellers. In the 1970s he collected songs from some of the great older singers of Ulster, including Eddie Butcher and Joe Holmes. His association with the late John Campbell brought storytelling and song to a world audience. Their work together over twenty years made a significant contribution toward creating a deeper crosscommunity understanding of shared cultural traditions during many years of conflict in the north of Ireland. Len ’s songs are known around the world - he’s been the source of songs for such famous performers as Altan, De Dannnan, the Chieftains and Andy Irvine.

Len and his wife Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, who is also a traditional singer, both specialise in the songs of Ulster. Together they recorded an album of children’s songs, called “When I was Young.” They live in Mullaghbawn, Co. Armagh.