Music Generation Cork City

31/08/2026

Listen back to Claire (MGCC Music Development Officer) chatting all about the new 'North South Sounds' project with PJ Coogan on 96FM this morning: https://shows.acast.com/corks-96-fm-opinion-line/episodes/ed-sheeran-is-backing-corks-next-generation-of-talent

This collaboration is the first programme in the republic (a joint initiative with Northern Ireland) to receive funding from the Ed Sheeran Foundation, and we are very excited about it!

Having launched at the Belfast Fleadh over the August bank holiday weekend, this project will see over 150 young people and children from both Cork and Belfast, come together to write songs, collaborate and perform over the next 4 months!

'North South Sounds' is a partnership project between the Ed Sheeran Foundation, Music Generation Cork City, The Kabin Studio, Creative Tradition, The Oh Yeah Centre (Belfast) and the Divis Youth Project (Belfast).


The Kabin Studio Cork

Creative Tradition
Oh Yeah Music Centre
Divis Youth Project

25/08/2026

It's now just over 3 weeks to go until Culture Night 2026!

This year on Fri Sept 18th, we will be bringing live music-making to the streets of Cork, to the Grand Parade Library (& Carnegie Courtyard) and to Hollyhill library - with performances and workshops to suit all ages!

In partnership with Cork City Libraries Cork City Council Kabin Studio Cork Creative Tradition Musical Neighbourhoods Culture Night

See poster below (or on our website here: https://musicgenerationcorkcity.com/culture-night-2026/ ) for full details.

All events are FREE!
For the full Culture Night programme of events, see https://culturenight.ie/

20/08/2026

Powerful words from our good friends in Cork Migrant Centre, Dr Naomi Masheti and Raphael Olympio, who spoke so eloquently on Media Television about the challenges faced by young migrants moving to Ireland and how music and connection help them reddress the traumas they may have gone through.
This fascinating documentary, , is now available to view on Virign Media Player.

19/08/2026

Tune in tonight to Virgin Media Television for their brand new show featuring many of our friends and collaborators from Cork Migrant Centre and Sauti Studios, including the talented Tamer, who performed a brilliant set at our recent 'Rock the Block' show for Cruinniú na nÓg, and who features here in this clip.
We had the privelege of working closely with Cork Migrant Centre as part of our Urgency of Music action-research project, funded by RTÉ One Toy Show Appeal, in partnership with the Community Foundation of Ireland.
Both Cork Migrant Centre and Sauti Studios undertake amazing work in our community and deserve the recognition and support, which has come through many channels, including Cork Youth Partnership and the Apple Empowering Creatives initiative.
Looking forward to tuning in later at 9pm on Virign Media One.

06/08/2026

Chomhgairdeas to the wonderful Dónal O'Connor, artistic director of Belfast TradFest, who won the prestigious Comhaltas Ceannróidaithe award last night in Belfast.
We have such fond memories of Dónal and the amazing Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh joining us for our Féile Fearann Rí 2024 festival and bringing such draoíocht and grá for the ceol traidisiúnta with them.

Some lovely moments shared here on Creative Tradition's website:
https://www.creativetradition.ie/feile

Delighted to see him acknowledged for his outstanding contribution of the traditional Irish music scene - sár cheoltóir é!

Donal O'Connor

Belfast TradFest is immensely proud to share that our Artistic Director, Dónal O’Connor, was presented with the prestigious Comhaltas Ceannródaithe award yesterday evening in Belfast City Hall. Here he is with Belfast TradFest Co-Director Patricia Murray.

The Comhaltas Ceannródaithe Awards (Bardic) honour individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music, song, dance, and culture. These prestigious accolades recognise lifelong dedication, outstanding talent, and significant service to Irish the traditional arts.

We also wish to extend our sincere congratulations to the other awardees who were recognised last night; Niall McClean, Francis McPeake & Maurice Brown.

Comhghairdeas Dónal ⭐️

05/08/2026

The power of music to bring people together & to see past borders - young Leo McClung couldn't have put it better here, as he chatted with Belfast Telegraph about his first ever Fleadh Cheoil Belfast 2026 performance, which was also saw the launch of a very unique cross-border musical initiative between ourselves and our friends in the Oh Yeah Music Centre entitled 'North South Sounds 2026', funded by the Ed Sheeran Foundation.

Performers from our own The Kabin Studio Cork and Creative Tradition , along with their peers from the Oh Yeah Centre took to the Gig Rig stage outside of Belfast City Hall on Monday lunchtime and brought such vibrant sounds and energy with them - they lifted the roof!

Exciting things to come through this very special project!

Music Generation Ireland

31/07/2026

It's official - the Ed Sheeran Foundation (ESF) is coming to Ireland! We are beyond thrilled to be one of the first programmes to receive funding from the foundation for the collaborative "North South Sounds 2026" project, which will be run in partnership with The Kabin Studio Cork, Creative Tradition and the Oh Yeah Music Centre Belfast.
This exciting new partnership project will involve over 150 young people and children from across the island of Ireland, where songwriting, collaborating, performing and community engagement will be at its core.
Running over the next six months, the North Sound Sounds 2026 project will celebrate self-expression, social inclusion and local heritage.
Kicking off this very weekend in Belfast City Hall at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann on Monday 3rd of August with a collaboration involving up to 50 young performers - expect musical fusion and craic go leor!!
Ed Sheeran Music Generation Ireland

The Ed Sheeran Foundation has announced its first project in Ireland, North South Sounds 2026, which aims to connect children and young people in Cork city and Belfast through songwriting, performance, and more.

29/07/2026

Cork Summer Band Camp 2026 Highlight alert!!
Check out this exuberant version of Shakira's 'Waka Waka/This Time for Africa'!
To hear the rich tones & pulsating rhythms fill the halls of Cork College of FET -Tramore Road Campus was exhilarating - a fitting finale & a proud performance moment for all involved.

If we could do it all again tomorrow, we would!

Roll on Bandcamp 2027 🙌 in partnership with Cork Barrack Street Band

10/07/2026

This day last week Tradcamp celebrated its final day of camp with a beautiful Seisúin Mór at the halla mór in Scoil Aiséirí Chríost .
There were banjos & bodhráns, flutes & fiddles, concertinas & guitar, plus the sweetest voiced choir. It was simply magical!
Chomhgairdeas to everyone involved & a special word of thanks to the team lead by Jessie, and included Joanne, Frances, Jason & Julie. You can all be so proud!

10/07/2026

Cork Summer Band Camp finale performance has been moved to the earlier time of 2pm. Pop along into us here at Cork College of FET -Tramore Road Campus to experience the power of that full ensemble band sound! If the rehearsals are anything to go by, this is going to be amazing!