Laoise Kelly, who is among the musicians performing at Lá Ceoil for Dublin’s love:live music events.

Coinciding with the International Music Day celebrations in 120 countries worldwide, the love:live music day on 21 June will see over 200 free musical performances taking place across the country.

Among the highlight events taking place is Lá Ceoil in Dublin, a free showcase concert in Meeting House Square between 6pm and 10pm, funded by the Arts Council. Lá Ceoil will presents a selection of Irish musicians including Buffalo in the Castle, We Banjo 3, the Unwanted, Tarab, Mick O’Brien, members of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and DIT Traditional Music Ensemble, and special guest Seán Mac Erlaine, as well as a première of a new commission from RTÉ lyric fm composer in residence Linda Buckley.

Clonmel Junction Festival and the Common Thread Café in conjunction with South Tipperary County Arts Office will present Clonmel Loves Live Music, four hours of free music on the streets of Clonmel including an outdoor music trail and a special live collaboration featuring singer Julie Feeney, violinist Cora Venus Lunny, harper Laoise Kelly and guitarist Niwel Tsumbu, culminating with a classical chamber concert at the County Museum at 8pm.

The Royal Irish Academy of Music will present a live music installation from 12pm to 3pm at St Stephen’s Green, Dublin.

The Contemporary Music Centre (CMC) in association with Crash Ensemble will inaugurate its first ‘Tiny Desk’ concert as part of love:live music. This series aims to bring new Irish music out of the concert hall and into offices and workplaces, inviting audiences to experience close encounters with new Irish music.

Ennis Town Council in association with BallyO Promotions presents Clare Connections, a live music gathering in the heart of the town.

There will be a samba percussion performance by Scoil Treasa Naofa involving children from ten to thirteen years of age from 11am on Grafton Street, Dublin.

Waltons New School of Music presents a Gospel Gathering at St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre from 6.30pm to 7.15pm.

CAN Percussion Trio will lead a free percussion workshop open to the public from 11am to 1pm at St. Patrick’s Bandroom, Frenchville Lane, Galway. This event is presented in conjunction with Access Music Project and Macnas.

Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Eireann will present a range of over eighty events throughout the country including céilí and open air sessions.

Opera Theatre Company (OTC) will present operatic favourites by the best of Ireland’s young opera talent in the Powerscourt Town Centre, Dublin. OTC’s Young Associate Artists will present a mix of opera’s greatest moments.

A Solstice celebration will take place at Lochtar na Cua Standing Stones in Waterville, Kerry with the Scottish pipes and Irish harps and a dance piece.

Events taking place in partnership with national and regional organisations include: An Post and Cairde na Cruite presenting a mass harp performance at Dublin’s GPO and regional post offices around the country; Drogheda Samba Festival partnering with Iarnród Éireann for a countrywide train station samba soiree; Music Generation hosting a programme of music events in Louth, Sligo, Mayo, Laois, Cork City, Wicklow and Donegal.

love:live music is Ireland’s National Music Day on Thursday 21st June through free live music events in cities, towns and villages all over the country. Initiated by Music Network in 2010 and in association with RTÉ lyric fm, it is an open invitation to everyone to make music everywhere! love:live music is funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and The Arts Council. Music Network is revenue funded by The Arts Council.

lovelivemusic.ie