Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina this afternoon hosted a Garden Party Concert at Áras an Uachtaráin to celebrate Irish Music Month 2024 – themed ‘Where musical inspiration meets creativity in local radio’.
The event was MC’d by radio and television presenter Trishauna Archer and featured performances by Dermot Kennedy, Susan O’Neill, HamsandwicH, Aby Coulibaly, Shobsy, Gavin James, Negro Impacto, Brad Heidi, David O’Connor and the Celtic Hotclub.
Those attending the concert included representatives of those local radio stations participating in Irish Music Month, including WLR.
Speaking at the event, President Higgins said:
“Local and community radio stations provide a unique social benefit to the communities they serve, allowing for community access and participation, allowing too for the output of each station to reflect the special interests and needs of its listenership. Their support for the Irish language, the arts, Irish music and local community groups is invaluable. The budgets available may be limited on occasion, but the standard of programming is so often exceptional.
We are so fortunate to have so many gifted musicians, singers and songwriters in this country and we are fortunate that some exceptionally talented ones have agreed to perform here this evening. I thank them all for being with us today, sharing their craft and providing us with such marvellous and memorable music.”
Irish Music Month 2024 will take place in September this year. Launched in 2021, Irish Music Month is an initiative of Hot Press and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, and is funded by Coimisiún na Meán. Participating IBI stations will feature Irish music strongly throughout the month, and significantly increase the number of plays for Irish artists. Irish Music Month is also supported by IMRO, RAAP, Live Nation, Rubyworks and Camden Recording Studios.
Today’s event is the 80th Garden Party hosted by President and Sabina Higgins over the course of the President’s two terms of Office and brings a close to this year’s series of six Garden Parties and this Garden Party Concert. This year’s seven events were attended by a total of approximately 3,500 people.
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