Nell Mescal, Lisa Hannigan, Sam Amidon, Ye Vagabonds, God Knows, Gemma Hayes, Cormac Begley, Ezra Williams are among the acts set to play Anam - Songs for Hearts & Minds, a new online music show from the makers of Other Voices.
The long-running RTÉ series has teamed up with the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the gigs which will be livestreamed from some of Ireland's most important heritage sites every Thursday evening in May at 8pm.
Kildare's Castletown House, Cahir Castle in Tipperary, the Blasket Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid - in Dunquin, and Desmond Castle in Newcastlewest, Co Limerick will serve as backdrops for the live music performances.
Beginning at 8pm on 4 May, the series will be presented by MayKay and aims to highlight the diversity of Irish music and songs from hip-hop to traditional musicians. Each episode will be beamed across the world via the YouTube and Facebook platforms of Other Voices and the OPW.
Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O'Donovan TD said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Other Voices in highlighting such contemporary musical talent in our majestic Desmond Castle.
"It is an under-utilised space here in Limerick that I hope will play host to many more events like this, where people can come together in these intimate and special surroundings and enjoy more of the arts."
Anam will build on the success of previous collaborations during Other Voices' Courage series, which featured an iconic livestreamed Fontaines D.C. performance from the OPW’s Kilmainham Gaol.
Philip King from Other Voices said: "It’s a real delight to partner with the OPW and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to bring live music from a diversity of Ireland's most wonderful artists into these magnificent buildings and these beautiful rooms, and to make them audible and visible the world over.
"The sound and the feeling of what it is to be Irish right now is manifest in the songs and tunes of these creative artists, who are informed and enriched by the traditions of past times…traditions born and nurtured in these halls and galleries over decades and centuries."
Public tickets will only be available for these exclusive performances via competitions with more details on how to win here.
Anam livestream schedule:
8pm Thursday 4 May - Castletown House, Kildare. Featuring Anna Mieke and Ezra Williams.
8pm Thursday 11 May - Desmond Castle, Limerick. Featuring Nell Mescal, God Knows and Kingfishr.
8pm Thursday 18 May - Cahir Castle, Tipperary. Featuring Lisa Hannigan, Gemma Hayes, and Paul Noonan.
8pm Thursday 25 May - Blasket Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid. Featuring Ye Vagabonds, Sam Amidon, Cormac Begley, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Billy Mag Fhloinn and Gerry O'Beirne.
