We Are Music Generation 2024

Your Host: Music Generation Carlow

When: 13th and 14th February 2024

Where: The Stephouse Hotel, Borris, Co. Carlow

Let the ‘Craic agus Ceol’ begin! Music @ Mount Leinster is a festival of traditional Irish music taking place in the charming village of Borris, Co. Carlow. Young musicians, hailing from all over Ireland, will descend on Borris for a series of workshops, seisiúns and masterclasses. They will engage with advice, tips and tricks from a collective of renowned traditional Irish musicians throughout the five-day festival.

Join us at their Guest Musicians Concert on the 13th February and Gala Concert on the 14th February in the ballroom of The Stephouse Hotel.

Facilitators: Music Generation Cork City and Music Mash Up

What: Music Video. View it here.

Music Generation Cork City presents the Lámh Choir Collaboration! The STARS of the choir are young musicians from Scoil Éanna Special School and Gaelscoil an Ghort Álainn in Cork City. They will collaborate to create and record new music with the support of a special guest artist. Through blending music and Lámh sign language this unique project promotes inclusivity and creativity.

We're excited to see what creations they come up with... 'til then, enjoy this Lámh performance of Aslan’s ‘Crazy World’ created last year by Music Generation Cork City. View a video of the performance here.

Your Host: Music Generation Wicklow

When: February - June 2024

Where: Meadow Recording Studios, Delgany, Co. Wicklow

Music Generation Wicklow are turning up the volume on musical dreams this summer. Young musicians will hit the studio and lay down tracks to their original music at Meadow Recording Studios. These bands and singer-songwriters won't be flying solo, a team of seasoned musicians and producers will guide them through the entire recording process. They will receive the latest industry tips on booking gigs, engaging with venues and promoting their music.

If that wasn’t enough, these young recording artists will step into the limelight on the summer festival circuit. Watch out for the budding artists at Kaleidoscope Festival in Wicklow and an upcoming Youth Music Festival at TU Dublin Tallaght in summer 2024.

Your Host: Music Generation Galway City

When: Programme launched across 2024

Music Generation Galway City will launch a series of live performances throughout 2024 featuring young musicians on their programmes and partnerships. These include Livefeed, Music Explorers Orchestra, Music In Nature, Misléór Youth Open Mic for Nomadic Cultures, Oscailte Irish Language Music Club and Bailigí (Gather) Youth Jam Sessions.

Watch this space for further announcements to follow!

Your Hosts: Music Generation’s Laois, Louth, Mayo and Waterford.

Composing New Music: January to March 2024

Performances will be listed here when available.

The Music Generation Harp Collective, comprising of 45 young harpers, are preparing and developing new repertoire for performances in 2024. Composer Grainne Meyer has guided the young harpers through the creative process and created new music together. Follow their experience on social media and see their recent rehearsal retreat to Achill Island. The young harpers swapped harps for surfboards and participated in peer learning. They were also treated to a fireside performance by renowned harper Laoise Kelly. Watch this space for further information on performances.

Your Host: Music Generation Waterford

When: 14th April 2024

Where: Woodstown Activity Centre

Woodstown Songwriter’s Weekend is a treat for the soul! This immersive songwriting retreat creates a space for young creatives to explore songwriting, lyric writing and the creative process. Songwriting sessions surrounded by nature, beach yoga, fireside jams – sign us up, please!

Guided by top industry professionals, we think this experience hits all the right notes for the lyrics to keep flowing. Join us at their final performance on Sunday 14th April in Woodstown.

Your Host: Music Generation Mayo

When: April and May 2024

Where: Belmullet, Ballina, Westport and Castlebar.

Music Generation Mayo will celebrate music-making across County Mayo with its very own Youth Music Festival, Féile Mhaigh Eo. The festival has been designed by a council of twelve children and young people from across the county.

The Youth Festival Council have put their final touches on the festival’s master plan which includes The Big Day on the Mall on 25th May. Enter their Westport Busking Competition or sign up to perform at Amplified Youth in Ballina Arts Centre. There lots more for young trad enthusiasts, rock musicians and early years music workshops for 0-3.5 year olds. View the full programme of events here.

Your Host: Music Generation Tipperary

When: 2nd May 2024 at 6pm

Where: Templemore Arms Hotel

Music Generation Tipperary are set to bring a creative twist to the ‘clash of the ash’ that you’ve never seen before.

Young musicians in Tipperary schools will come together to form a ‘hurley orchestra’ crafting the hurley stick into a musical instrument. These innovative muso and sport enthusiasts have developed rhythms and soundscapes (off the pitch!) and created a new notation system through the camán. They call it their 'Tipperary Hurling Haka'!

Watch their music video and new anthem 'Sounds of Semple' here.

Watch 'The Making of Sounds of Semple' here.

Get a sneak peak of the fun on Cúla4 here.

Your Host: Music Generation Sligo

When: 5th May 2024

Where: Performance at Queen Maeve Festival, Sligo.

Music Generation Sligo launched Jam@TheSquare competition as part of their 10 year anniversary celebration in partnership with Sligo County Council. Young musicians and bands will have the chance to win a whopping €1,000 worth of music equipment. If that wasn't enough, the shortlisted bands will have the chance to rock the Gig Rig at the Queen Maeve Festival on May Bank Holiday weekend.

The deadline for competition submissions is the 19th April 2024. Join us for their live performance on the 5th May 2024.

Find out more on Music Generation Sligo's Facebook page.

Your Host: Music Generation Laois

When: 10th - 12th May 2024.

Where: The Malthouse, Stradbally, Co. Laois


Original and new music is at the heart of Music Generation Laois. For over a decade, compositions have been written and recorded in collaboration with young musicians and guest professional artists. Previous guest composers and songwriters have included Martin Tourish, Ernestine Healy, John Spillane, Lorna McLaughlin and Michael McGoldrick to name a few. This concert will revisit some of these beautiful original works and welcome back these guest artists to perform with young ensembles from Music Generation Laois and beyond.

Join us for this very special event celebrating new, original music at 'Music at the Malthouse'. Find all the details here.

Your Host: Music Generation Clare

When: 11th May 2024 at 19:30

Where: Glór, Ennis

Music Generation Clare presents The Irish Concertina Orchestra featuring NOTIFY, Cormac McCarthy & the Music Generation Clare Concert Orchestra.

Experience the extraordinary sonic beauty of the Irish Concertina Orchestra this May at Glór, Ennis. Over the last 7 months, the ensemble have been working on new original music under the guidance of Pádraig Rynne, Cormac McCarthy and the Musician Educator team. Guests will be treated to a newly composed and specially commissioned piece of music by world famous composer Bill Whelan.

Find out more about the performance line up and tickets here.

Your Host: Music Generation Westmeath

When: 16th and 17th May 2024

Where: TUS Athlone

Over 2,000 young singers in the Midlands will sing their hearts out this May. SingFest is a festival of singing hosted by Music Generation Westmeath. It brings singers of all ages from Westmeath and Offaly together to give them the opportunity to work with leading choral professionals, conductors and vocal coaches. The festival will end on a high note with a Big Sing performance with all involved. How exciting!

SingFest has been developed in partnership with Sing Ireland & Irish Youth Choir.

Find out more on Music Generation Westmeath's Facebook page.

Your Host: Music Generation Wexford

When: Thursday 23rd May

Where: Chadwicks Wexford Park

Music Generation Wexford presents 'Everyone', a dynamic performance event for young music makers and ensembles at Chadwicks Wexford Park. The Wexford GAA grounds will transform into a stage like never seen before. 'Everyone' celebrates the Music Generation Wexford primary school programmes by bringing everyone together for this unique music making experience. They will be joined by young singers from Yellow Bellows, a live band and high-energy Celtic percussion group, Extreme Rhythm.

A team of Musician Educators will guide the children and young people through a morning of song and body percussion alongside Yellow Bellow and Extreme Rhythm. The whole event will be captured on film. Watch this space for more details.

Your Host: Music Generation Limerick City

When: 26th May 2024

Where: Dolan’s Live Music Venue Limerick City

‘One Day in May’ is back! After a wildly successful event last year with 40+ acts in Dolans Live Music Venue, Music Generation Limerick City are set to do it again. Picture this: young rappers, indie tunes, folk melodies, punk energy, heavy metal vibes, and soulful brass players – 'One Day in May’ is a mix of everything good in music!

This year improvisation, electronic and original music will take centre-stage. Community electronic music workshops will take place in the run up to the event. There will be a dedicated stage for new (and past) participants to perform their music.

The excitement is real for ‘One Day in May’ 2024. Let the countdown begin!

Your Host: Music Generation Galway County

When: May 2024

Where: Kingfisher Hall, University of Galway

Get ready for the ultimate Ukulele Orchestra experience this Spring! Music Generation Galway County will bring over 450 young ukulele players under one roof at the Kingfisher Hall, University of Galway. The young Ukes are in for a jam-packed day of strumming and singing. You could even say, it’s going to be a strum-tastic experience for all!

Your Host: Music Generation Leitrim

When: May 2024

Where: Stay tuned for more details!

Let’s Sing! Music Generation Leitrim are hosting the ultimate singing extravaganza this May. Local secondary and primary school singers will come together for a show-stopping ‘Sing UP’ experience. The final performance will have us all singing, swaying, and smiling ear to ear.

But that's not all – Music Generation Leitrim are turning up the fun factor with a Musical Puppet Show! Junior primary children will bring their creativity to life, with a musical puppetry masterpiece.

Your Hosts: Music Generation Cork City, Creative Tradition, Musical Neighbourhoods, Scoil Íosagáin BNS

When: 11th - 15th June 2024

Where: Farranree, Cork City


Introducing Féile Fearann Rí 2024, the first-ever traditional Irish and folk music festival on the Northside of Cork City. What makes this festival EXTRA special is you’ll see people of all ages, beginners and maestros jamming together.

Last year's artist-in-residence was the incredible Liam Ó Maonlaí from the Hothouse Flowers. Who's joining the musical fiesta this year we hear you ask? Not one but FOUR exceptional traditional artists - Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Dónal O’Connor, Thomas McCarthy, and Niamh Dunne. The Gala Concert will take place on Thursday 13th June at 7pm in Church of the Resurrection, Farranree, Cork City.

Find out more about Féile Fearann RÍ here.

Your Host: Music Generation Carlow

When: June 2024

Where: Planning in progress. Details coming soon!

Music Generation Carlow have teamed up with Carlow Arts Festival to shine a light on local young musicians. There will be a special focus on young DJ's with lots of performances taking place throughout the festival.

Your Host: Music Generation Longford

When: May – June 2024

Harmony in Diversity: This project will celebrate musical cultures through uniting Irish traditional music, Rock/pop, and Roma ethnic music. The young musicians will collaborate over 2 months to create a tapestry of musical traditions reflecting Longford’s community.

Check back in to find out more about their local tours and performances in 2024.

Your Hosts: Music Generation Kerry, Music Generation Louth and Irish Chamber Youth Orchestra

When: 1st – 5th July 2024

Where: Dundalk Grammar School, Co. Louth.

Bows at the ready! Young string players from Music Generation Kerry, Music Generation Louth and the Irish Chamber Youth Orchestra will come together for Corda Connections 2024. This is a 4-day immersive workshop in classical string ensemble playing. The young string players will experience small and large group ensemble playing and, we have no doubt, will add a few more strings to their bow throughout this experience.

Find out more about Corda Connections here.

Your Host: Music Generation Waterford

When: 5th July 2024 4:30pm

Where: Theatre Royal, Waterford City

Prepare to be blown away at SoundCrowd ‘24! Young wind, brass and percussion players will travel from all over Ireland to this 4-day residential, music making experience starting on the 2nd of July. SoundCrowd gives young musicians a space to find their unique sound and style through improvisation. They will have the opportunity to explore blues, jazz, funk music in small and large ensembles. The grand finale performance is not to be missed!

Get a glimpse of what to expect here.

Your Hosts: Music Generation Dublin City, Fingal, Kildare, Meath, South Dublin and Wicklow

When: 6th July 2024

Where: TU Dublin Tallaght

Dig out those festival sunnys! This outdoor youth music festival has been curated BY young people, FOR young people. Young musicians from different musical backgrounds and tastes will come together to perform at TU Dublin Tallaght this summer.

Expect indie, rock, punk, DJ sets and lots more. Young musicians will also curate the festival itself leading on key roles such as stage management, photography and MC’ing!

Take a look back at last summer’s festival here.

Your Host: Music Generation Kerry

When: Tuesday 6th August to Saturday 10th August 2024

Where: Collis Sandes House, Tralee And Siamsa Tíre, Tralee.

Get ready to rock in The Kingdom! Music Generation Kerry is gearing up for an epic Pop and Rock Band Project for young musicians and bands across the county. For five days, young bands will be immersed in the world of guitar riffs, bass licks, drum rolls and more. The project also involves exciting opportunities in recording and songwriting.

Click here to sign up.

Your Hosts: Music Generation Wexford

When: 6th August 2024 3pm and 7pm

Where: Wexford Credit Union Dome

Join us for Ceiliúradh Music Generation | Lá and Ceiliúradh Music Generation | Oíche at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2024. Over 300 young musicians from Music Generation areas all over Ireland will come together to perform is the Wexford Credit Union Dome.

The performing trad groups and ensembles are from Music Generation's Carlow, Cavan/Monaghan, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.

Click here to find out more.

Your Host: Music Generation Offaly

When: 16th, 17th and 22nd, 23rd October 2024

Where: Birr, Edenderry, Tullamore Locations.

We are so excited, and we just can’t hide it! Music Generation Offaly will host 'Céiluradh Mór!' across the county. Musician Educators and young musicians from a variety of secondary schools will join forces to create an original piece of music that celebrates Offaly. The crew will hit the road on a Festival tour of 'Céiluradh Mór!' to different locations throughout the county in October 2024.

Watch this space for performance times and updates.

Your Host: Music Generation Limerick County

When: 18th October 2024 2-4pm

Where: Desmond Castle, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick

Music Generation Limerick County will host a youth-led live busking event at the historical setting of Desmond Castle. The Big Busk will feature participants of Music Generation Limerick County, Foróige and local Youth Services.

Follow Music Generation Limerick County on Instagram or Facebook for updates.

Your Host: Music Generation Laois

When: 1st to 3rd November 2024

Where: Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Tionól ‘24 is the world’s only festival dedicated to Harps & Pipes. Young musicians from all over Ireland take part in the annual festival, with over 175 musicians taking part last year. Expect to hear music from Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra, Music Generation Harp Collective along with guest youth ensembles and guest professional musicians.

Join us for the Piping Concert on 2nd November in Portlaoise Library and the Tionól Closing Concert on the 3rd November in Dunamase College Campus, Portlaoise.

Your Host: Music Generation Galway County
When: 11 - 17th November 2024
Where: University of Galway

Galway Trad Fest, a new initiative by Music Generation Galway County, will take place
in Galway between Nov 11th -17th (inclusive), 2024. The inaugural event will feature masterclasses, performances and a range of Irish traditional music activities which will give Galway’s children and young people unparalleled access to high-level Irish traditional music opportunities at home in Galway .

Le Chéile is a celebratory concert at University of Galway featuring a spellbinding youth orchestra together with some of Ireland’s best known performers. Find out more here.