Ireland's top musicians including Niall Horan, Hozier, Dermot Kennedy and Gavin James, have released a powerful video encouraging the public to "unite by staying apart".

Organised by Horan, the former One Directioner teamed up with fellow musician Hozier to write a short speech to the Irish public encouraging fans to stay at home in order to save lives.

26-year-old Horan put the call out to other Irish stars in the music industry, including The Script's Danny O'Donoghue, Andrea Corr, Imelda May, and many more well-known artists.

One by one, the musicians share a part of the speech which was posted with the hashtag #UniteByStayingApart.

"The Irish are known all over the world for being passionate, fun-loving and very patriotic people,’ the video opens.

"We may be a small country, but through our culture, our works, our spirit, and our resolve, we wield a lot of power on the world stage.

"In unnerving times like these in the face of this pandemic, now is the time we can show the very best of ourselves to each other and the world.

"As we face into this battle, now is the time for us to unite.

"Now is the time to lead by example and show the world what we can do when we pull together."

It continues: "The better we commit to these measures, the sooner this moment will be another thing we, as a people, have overcome."

The moving video has been shared on social media and retweeted by all involved.

The news comes after Horan was praised for donating €100,000 to Irish charity ALONE last week.