gov - Other Voices & OPW present new live music series – ‘Anam

Featuring Nell Mescal, Lisa Hannigan, Sam Amidon, Ye Vagabonds, God Knows, Gemma Hayes, Cormac Begley, Ezra Williams and more, every Thursday evening in May at 8pm

Other Voices are delighted to partner with the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage this May to produce a new music series: Anam. The series will bring together a dynamic and diverse group of Irish and international talent, performing in some of Ireland’s most important heritage sites.

Across four episodes, ‘Anam - Songs for Hearts & Minds’ will take viewers on a memorable musical journey across the country, blending the magic of live performances with the beauty of Ireland's remarkable and significant historic landmarks.

From Kildare's majestic Castletown House, Ireland's first and largest Palladian-style house, to Cahir Castle in Tipperary, renowned for its exceptional preservation as one of Ireland's finest castles, to the Blasket Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid, in Dunquin, close to Other Voices' spiritual home of Dingle in West Kerry, to Desmond Castle in Newcastlewest, Co Limerick - these beautiful historic landmark locations will serve as breathtaking backdrops for these live music performances.

Beginning at 8pm on 4 May, the series which will be presented by MayKay will celebrate what’s about to happen with highly anticipated Other Voices debuts from rising stars Nell Mescal, Kingfishr and Ezra Williams. The diverse line up will showcase a diversity of Irish music and songs from hip-hop royalty God Knows to pioneering traditional musicians Cormac Begley, Gerry O'Beirne, Billy Mag Fhloinn and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh all set for unforgettable performances.

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 showcasing 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.”

Ireland’s current folk revival will also be honoured with performances from Sam Amidon, Ye Vagabonds and more throughout the series.

Each episode will be beamed across the world via the YouTube and Facebook platforms of Other Voices and the OPW. Anam will also present music from cherished songwriting trio Gemma Hayes, Paul Noonan and Lisa Hannigan.

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. This new partnership will offer national and international audiences a front row seat at these intimate performances in these beautiful settings.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said:

“Our heritage – be it nature or historic buildings and ancient monuments – is a source of inspiration to so many artists, so it’s very fitting that these places should also be the setting for what I’m sure will be some amazing performances. I’m delighted that my own Department, the OPW and Other Voices have collaborated on such an exciting project to celebrate and deepen the interlinkages between the arts, culture, history and heritage.”

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. The series will be livestreamed globally each Thursday in May at 8pm from 4 May onwards, via YouTube and Facebook.

Anam - Songs for Hearts & Minds is being made possible with the generous support of the Office of Public Works and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Full details and streaming schedule available at OtherVoices.ie