Traditional music veterans The Chieftains have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to music.

Paddy Moloney, Sean Keane, Matt Molloy, Kevin Conneff and Triona Marshall were awarded an honorary doctorate by Dublin Institute of Technology for their role as cultural ambassadors.

Founding member Moloney told a graduation ceremony for music, drama and media students in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin it was “wonderful for The Chieftains to be recognised individually as well as collectively with this kind of tribute”.

Since they were formed more than half a century ago, The Chieftains' combination of uilleann pipes, fiddle, flute, tin whistle, bodhran and harp have become synonymous with the music and culture of Ireland.

They have collaborated with musicians including The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, James Galway, Bon Iver and Imelda May, and earlier this week played at a tribute to Irish poet Seamus Heaney at the full-to-capacity Royal Festival Hall in London.

DIT president professor Brian Norton said: "DIT honours The Chieftains for their outstanding contribution to music and their vital role in bringing Irish culture to new audiences around the world.

“We also acknowledge them as standard bearers for graduates assembled here who are about to embark on their own careers in music, drama and media.”

Press Association