'Game changer' for aspiring Leitrim classical musicians
A national scheme offering three-year loans of high-end classical instruments and up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new bow is now open for applications from eligible Leitrim musicians
Applications are being invited from musicians based in Leitrim to apply to the Music Network National Musical Instrument Collection, with access to seven high-quality classical instruments.
The call, announced by the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan T.D., is part of the Music Network Music Capital Scheme, which has supported the purchase of musical instruments for professional musicians and non-professional performing groups for the past 17 years.
Introduced for the first time last year, this strand of the scheme is designed to address the unique challenges faced by emerging professional classical players.
Successful applicants will receive a three-year loan of a high-quality instrument. Awardees may also receive up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new bow, which they will retain and own permanently.
The award is open to advanced violinists, violists, cellists and harpists who are about to begin, or are currently studying for, a Master's degree, or who have completed their studies within the last three years and are embarking on their professional careers.
Applicants must demonstrate high potential and have a strong track record as solo performers and/or in chamber music settings. Applications are open to Irish citizens and residents of the Republic of Ireland, while Irish citizens living abroad are also eligible.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan T.D. said: “I am delighted that we have been able to support the Music Capital Scheme and the establishment of the Music Network National Musical Instrument Collection.
“This scheme is designed to address the unique challenges faced by our emerging classical musicians in the early stages of a professional performance career.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Music Network for the outstanding work they do which has a significant impact on the quality of, and access to, music-making and live music performance throughout Ireland.”
Established in 2008, the Music Capital Scheme is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and managed by Music Network. Since then, it has made 850 awards to musicians and organisations, providing access to instruments for more than 70,000 people.
The scheme has enabled 430 non-professional performing groups to purchase instruments and expand their memberships, while 416 established and emerging professional musicians have advanced their performance careers with new instruments.
This year, seven instruments have been added to the National Musical Instrument Collection:
Violin: Alessandro Camilletti (2025)
Violin: Fratelli Guastalla (1925)
Violin: Voller Brothers (1893)
Viola: Charles John Wilkinson (c. 1935)
The Maurice Meulien Cello & Bow: Caressa & Francais cello (1906), Robert Pierce bow (2021)
Cello: Roger Hansell, Davidov-Stradivari copy (2020)
Concert Harp: Salvi – Iris Natural (2025)
Music Network Chair Pat Moylan said: “We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for its ongoing commitment to providing vital funding for musical instruments to both groups and individual musicians working in any genre.
“This investment is having a transformative effect on Ireland’s musical landscape, in so many different settings.”
Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston added: “We are particularly excited about the opportunity this funding has provided to establish a National Musical Instrument Collection, a significant step forward in addressing the barriers some musicians encounter.
“We plan to continue developing the collection over the coming years to expand the range of instruments available, providing support for even more musicians.
“While Ireland's artistic community consistently excels on the international stage, many of our most promising classical musicians struggle to reach their full potential for lack of access to an appropriate instrument, due to the prohibitive cost involved.
“We believe this scheme will be a game changer, allowing awarded musicians to truly shine and providing access to this valuable collection for future generations to come.”
Applications for the Music Network National Musical Instrument Collection – Music Capital Scheme Award 4 close on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 2pm.
An online information session will take place on Tuesday, August 11, at 11am. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to online interviews during the week beginning October 19, followed by in-person auditions in Dublin on October 27 and 28.
Music Network welcomes applications from individuals within culturally diverse communities and people with disabilities. More information, guidelines and application forms are available at musicnetwork.ie.