Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office and Music Network invite applications for the 2023 dlr Musicians-in-Residence Scheme.
Now in its 9th year, the scheme provides musicians with space and time to create new work, develop their skills, collaborate with other artists and showcase their music.
Successful artists will receive funding up to a maximum award of €5000, a space to work in and advice and mentoring to support their career development. Audiences will also have an opportunity to engage with the resident musicians at a series of public performances in Dún Laoghaire.
Three residencies are available to musicians working in any genre of music, from rock to pop, classical to trad and everything in between. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a strong connection to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, or propose a project that links with the area, for example taking inspiration from the location or by engaging with local communities or musicians.
The Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr. Mary Hanafin said: “Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is delighted to offer this opportunity again in 2023 for musicians to focus on the creation of new music. We are committed to encouraging new work and allowing the arts to flourish.”
Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council: “Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is very pleased to continue our strong working relationship with Music Network to provide this important Scheme. This is an important collaboration with a national resource organisation to support musicians.”
Commenting on the announcement, CEO of Music Network Sharon Rollston said: “It’s a pleasure to work with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council once again on the management of this annual scheme. These residencies provide valuable time and resources for musicians to develop their artistic practice, advance their careers and produce exciting new work which we look forward to sharing with the residents of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown later this year.”
The 2022 dlr Musicians-in-Residence were cellist Lioba Petrie, harpist and composer Rosie Murphy and Peruvian guitarist and composer Rodrigo Almonte Zegarra. Speaking about her experience, Lioba Petrie said “The residency was a gift and welcome boost to my creativity. Being given the time and space to create new music has been an extremely fulfilling experience and has enabled me to reconnect in a very focused way with my composition skills.”
As part of this year’s scheme two residencies are available to established musicians with a maximum funding award of €5000. An additional award of up to €3000 will support the work of an emerging musician or group.
Anyone interested in making an application to the scheme can register for an online information session on Friday 17 February at 11:00am. A site visit to dlr LexIcon Studio will also take place on Tuesday 21 February at 6:00pm, and places can be booked by emailing dlr Arts Office at with the subject line ‘Musicians Site Visit’.
This year’s residencies will run from April to October. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 7 March at 2:00pm and more information about the residencies and how to apply is available on Music Network’s website.
The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Musicians-in-Residence Scheme is jointly funded by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the Arts Council and is managed by Music Network.
For further information please contact
Melanie Wright - Head of Communications & Marketing
T: 083 208 9421
Notes to Editor
2023 dlr Musicians-in-Residence Scheme – online information session
When: Friday 17 February at 11:00 am
Where: Online via Zoom
2023 dlr Musicians-in-Residence Scheme – dlr LexIcon Studio site visit
Tuesday 21 February 2023 at 6:00 pm
At dlr LexIcon Studio, Queen's Rd, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin
Register by email to with the subject line ‘Musicians Site Visit’.
About dlr Musicians-in-Residence Scheme
The dlr Musicians-in-Residence Scheme was established in 2015 to provide performers and composers with opportunities to cultivate new artistic collaborations and develop and showcase new work. The Residencies also enrich the cultural environment of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and beyond.
About Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council supports the development of the arts at a local level and aspires to provide opportunities for all who live in, work in, and visit the County to engage with the arts as creators, participants and spectators.
Since the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office was established in 1994, the County Council has developed a high-quality programme including exhibitions, learning and participation initiatives, festivals, public art projects and artists’ residencies.
Find out more about Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office.
About Music Network
Music Network is Ireland’s national music touring and development organisation, founded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon in 1986.
For over 36 years we have been making high quality live music accessible to communities throughout Ireland and helping musicians to develop fulfilling careers. Our vision is that of a culture which increasingly values live music in our everyday lives, embracing it as an essential part of a healthy, vibrant society.
We deliver a broad range of programmes including a National Touring Programme, Musician Residencies both here and abroad, learning and participation projects, The Music Capital Funding Scheme, commissioning, training Programmes and other professional development supports for musicians.
Find out more about Music Network here.
