Music teachers around the country are offering free lessons to Ukrainian children fleeing the war.
In Kinvara, Co Galway, one four-year-old boy has been getting reacquainted with the violin, after leaving his hometown in February.
Zakhar Khokhuda had to leave his instrument behind, when his family took refuge in a shelter in Gostomel, a short distance from Kyiv.
His mother, Larysa, explains how she comforted the little boy by humming melodies he would practice on the violin, while they avoided Russian airstrikes.
When they fled to Poland in the days that followed, Zakhar was "playing a virtual violin" on the journey, moving his hands to an imaginary instrument as he hummed along.
A number of people saw this and a subsequent post on social media resulted in a Polish music teacher making contact with the family.
Ms Khokhuda breaks down as she recalls the generosity of the stranger to her son.
"She brought him for waffles and gave him a violin. She made things normal for him for a short time."
By mid-March Ms Khokhuda, Zakhar and his 16-year-old sister, Yaroslava, were in Ireland, with the new violin accompanying them on the journey.
A Mother's Day gathering in the south Galway village brought the new arrivals in contact with local musicians, with Zakhar joining in an impromptu session.
Since then, he’s been given lessons by Rozanne Botha, as part of an initiative to assist young musicians from Ukraine. She says her counterparts around the country are providing instruments and lessons to those who wish to avail of them, free of charge.
Zakhar’s eyes light up as Ms Botha arrives in the Merriman Hotel in Kinvara to give him his latest instructions.
She says he’s got enthusiasm, great rhythm and is a "very unique little boy".
For his part, the new star of the Kinvara music scene says he loves playing his violin and is enjoying playing some Ukrainian pieces for his new audience.
His mother says she’s been overwhelmed by the kindness shown to her family by people in Poland and in Ireland.
She says music saved her son’s life in recent weeks. "It made it easier to stay in the shelter and to work through all the things [he’s had to endure].
"When people see a little boy with a violin they are so kind and understanding. I’ve seen how music makes people united and that has really helped us."
