Cormac Curran And Julia Mahon Named DLR Musicians-In-Residence For 2026

New Voices Emerge: Cormac Curran And Julia Mahon Named dlr Musicians-In-Residence For 2026

The Arts Office and Music Network of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are thrilled to announce the appointment of two exceptional artists for the upcoming residency period. This year's initiative supports both an established composer, Cormac Curran, and an emerging talent, Julia Mahon, providing them with essential resources to flourish.

Running from August through December, the scheme grants each musician a dedicated workspace, financial support, and expert mentoring. Beyond studio time, the public will engage directly with these creatives through a series of workshops and performances across Dún Laoghaire.

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Cormac Curran will collaborate with writer Tommy Tiernan to merge prose with original music. Their partnership aims to create a new album and live show that explores how sound can illuminate the rhythm and emotion of written words. Communities are invited to witness this evolution through open rehearsals and creative workshops.

Meanwhile, Dublin-based artist Julia Mahon, known professionally as J. Lune, will craft an electroacoustic piece titled Home, Or Something Like It. This work investigates themes of identity and belonging within the specific context of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. Her performance will blend traditional uilleann pipes with modern synthesizers and cello, weaving in new poetry by Daniel Wade and Vickey Curtis alongside community voices.

Cllr. Barry Saul, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, expressed delight at the appointments, noting the gratitude owed to the Arts Council for their funding. Frank Curran, Chief Executive, highlighted the strength of the ongoing collaboration with Music Network. Sharon Rollston, CEO of Music Network, praised the scheme as highly sought after and looked forward to supporting these artists in bringing their creative visions to life.