Music Generation Ireland

01/10/2026

What an unforgettable moment! 🎙️ 32 young musicians representing Music Generation from every county across Ireland performed with U2 for as part of their 50th Anniversary at Mount Temple Comprehensive School.

🫶 We are so proud of their hard work, dedication, and energy in making this historic moment so special.

Today, 1 in every 10 children and young people across Ireland makes music with Music Generation — all thanks to U2’s vision, support, and belief in our mission. We are unbelievably honoured to be part of U2’s 50th celebrations!

A special thank you to arranger Michael Rooney, Musician Educators and Music Development Officers across Ireland who supported these young musicians ahead of their performance.

We’re so grateful to all our partners An Roinn Oideachais agus Óige - Department of Education and Youth U2 The Ireland Funds Government of Ireland, all our Local Music Education Partnerships and Music Network for supporting the right of children and young people to access music.

Without your support for our shared mission, moments like this wouldn’t be possible.

📸 Photo Credit: Rich Fury (photos 1, 3, 4 and 5.)

26/09/2026

We're still pinching ourselves. So proud Music Generation musicians were part of this special moment in the journey of U2 🎸

A special thank you to arranger Michael Rooney, Musician Educators and Music Development Officers across Ireland who supported these young musicians ahead of their performance of 'One'.

Music Generation Ireland reaches 1 in 10 young people in Ireland thanks to U2’s vision support and belief in our mission.

So grateful to U2, The Ireland Funds, An Roinn Oideachais agus Óige - Department of Education and Youth, Government of Ireland, all our Local Music Education Partnerships & Music Network for their support in making our mission a reality.

25/09/2026

Beaming with pride! 32 young musicians representing Music Generation from every county across Ireland performed with U2 for as part of their 50th Anniversary at Mount Temple Comprehensive School.

1 in every 10 children and young people across Ireland now makes music with Music Generation, all thanks to U2’s vision, support and belief in our mission.

We're so grateful to all our partners An Roinn Oideachais agus Óige - Department of Education and Youth, U2, The Ireland Funds, Government of Ireland and all our Local Music Education Partnerships for supporting the right of children and young people to access music.

17/09/2026

Celebrate culture, creativity and the arts with Music Generation on Culture Night 2026.🎙️😍

Grab the mic for karaoke with a live band, join a trad session or enjoy a live gig - there’s something musical for everyone to enjoy!

This will take place on Friday 18th September 2026 and all events are FREE.

👀Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening across the country. You’ll find the full list on our website.

🪗 Trad Sessions with Music Generation Carlow, Music Generation Clare or Music Generation Cavan / Monaghan

🎺Open Rehearsals with Julianstown Youth Orchestra Music Generation Meath or Donegal Youth Orchestra DMEP-Donegal Music Education Partnership

🥁Live Band Karaoke for 13-18 year-olds with Music Generation Fingal

🎙️Open Mic session with Music Generation Laois

🎸Live gigs with Music Generation Waterford, Music Generation Wexford and many other areas.

Full list of Music Generation events available here: https://www.musicgeneration.ie/news/culture-night-2026-with-music-generation

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon
📸 Photos: Music Generation Laois, Music Generation Wexford and Music Generation Waterford

08/09/2026

One week ago today at the Music Generation National Musician Educator Gathering 2026! 📸🎶

Musician Educators from across Ireland gathered to connect, collaborate, and celebrate their transformative work with children and young people nationwide.

The event was opened by artist, vocal performance coach, and composer and included a day of interactive workshops led by Musician Educators from across Ireland. Musicians explored hands-on choir sessions, youth digital music production, ideas for multi-class rural settings, and the joy of traditional playground singing games.

Special thanks to guest artists Juliet Russell and Gaza Birds Singing with for sharing their experiences and journeys as educators. Thank you to all the Musician Educators who presented, led activities, and contributed throughout the day.

🔗 Full story on our website here.
https://bit.ly/3TeIMUe

📸 by

28/08/2026

Huge congratulations to two brilliant young musicians who have just finished their Leaving Cert and are heading off to study music at university this autumn! 🎓🎶

🥁 Grace Doyle, Music Generation Kildare, is off to Maynooth University to begin a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Grace spent the past three years as drummer with Row E, Music Generation Kildare's Jazz Ensemble, taking to some brilliant stages along the way.

From the Gig Rig at Taste of Kildare, to Garageland Teen Spirit at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland , SubSounds Youth Music Festival in Tallaght, and the Kildare Jazz Festival 2026 in the Riverbank Theatre, Newbridge.

Grace's time with Row E has seen her own skills as a drummer flourish, while also helping shape the sound and success of the ensemble itself.

🎼 Róisín McKenna, Music Generation Louth, is heading to the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Trinity College Dublin to study for a Bachelor of Music Education. Róisín began learning flute with Gemma Murray at Music Generation Louth at just seven years old - starting out on a bendy-head flute so she could reach the keys!

Since then she's grown into a hugely versatile musician, performing across classical and traditional ensembles. She took part in Music Generation Carlow and Music Generation Waterford's Sound Crowd, and contributed her own creative ideas to Music Generation Louth's Composer in Residence programme with Elaine Agnew 🎶

In 2017, Róisín was one of a group of young musicians from Louth who travelled to RIAM to workshop with the legendary Sir James Galway. Nearly ten years on, it feels especially fitting that she's returning to study there. ✨

🎙️ We could not be more proud of you both, Grace and Róisín. Congratulations, and best of luck for the next exciting chapter! 👏 🎙️

14/08/2026

🎙️ Meet Hallie and Kallie - two young musicians and besties from Music Generation Dublin City!

The dynamic duo swapped their instruments for microphones at our National Musician Educators Day, where they interviewed Musician Educators from all around Ireland and guest artist/composer Pete Churchill. 🎬

They wanted to know it all: Do Musician Educators still get nervous performing? Why do they love working with children and young people? What inspired them to become a Musician Educator? And their best tips for performing in front of a big crowd! 🎶 🎙️

🎥 Check out Hallie and Kallie’s interview series now on our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFLMyLz1SI0&list=PLN4AI6wR-iC0

05/08/2026

Leo McClung is a participant in North South Sounds 2026, a cross-border collaboration between the Ed Sheeran Foundation, Music Generation Cork City, and the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast.

🎙 Leo praised the "cross-community" atmosphere at his first Fleadh when he spoke to the Belfast Telegraph after the group's performance on the Gig Rig. Well said Leo and well done to the whole North South Sounds crew on an incredible performance! 👏👏🔥

04/08/2026

🎶 What an incredible launch for North South Sounds 2026 - a cross-border collaboration between Ed Sheeran Foundation, Music Generation Cork City and Oh Yeah Music Centre. 🎙️

It kicked off yesterday with a performance on the Gig Rig at Belfast City Hall, as part of Fleadh Cheoil 2026! 🎸

They also performed at the Oh Yeah Music Centre, where the 50 young musicians took to the stage for a showcase performance in front of a full house! 👏

🎙️In the lead-up to these performances, the group took part in a songwriting session where they reimagined The Cranberries' iconic anthem 'Zombie' by rewriting the lyrics from the perspective of a new generation. The result was powerful and moving (link in bio to read lyrics).

North South Sounds 2026 is a cross-border collaboration between the Ed Sheeran Foundation, Music Generation Cork City, and the Oh Yeah Music Centre (Belfast), with The Kabin Studio Cork and Creative Tradition as the Cork-side delivery.

Running July - December 2026, the project brings young people from opposite ends of the island together through songwriting and performance. Together, they will blend traditional Irish and folk influences with hip-hop, pop, and rock to create something entirely fresh.

Well done to every young musicians, singers and rappers involved in the launch performances in Belfast! 🎤✨ And this is just the beginning - watch this space for more music and updates from North South Sounds 2026.

📸 (Ciara Brennan)

31/07/2026

Exciting news! The Ed Sheeran Foundation has announced its first-ever cross-border project, North South Sounds 2026, in collaboration with Music Generation Cork City and the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast.

The project will connect young musicians from opposite corners of the island through songwriting and performance. At Music Generation Cork City, it is being delivered in partnership with The Kabin Studio Cork and Creative Tradition.

It all kicks off with performances by 50 young people at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann on 3rd August at Belfast City Hall. Catch them on the Gig Rig at 12:30pm.

Huge thank you to the Ed Sheeran Foundation for supporting this creative cross-border collaboration for Music Generation Cork City and the Oh Yeah Centre.

North South Sounds 2026 to launch at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast, Sheeran says