Full programme of events for Louth Contemporary Music Society’s midsummer festival

Louth Contemporary Music Society have a full programme of events planned for this year's Louth Contemporary Music Society’s midsummer festival which takes place on June 16–17 in venues across the town.

This year’s event is entitled “Folks’ Music” and it will see composers, musicians and contemporary music fans from around the globe converging in Dundalk, where the festival will showcase an array of talented performers, including international stars and renowned local artists hailing from Italy, Canada, the United States and England as well as Ireland.

This year marks 17 years since Louth Contemporary Music Society's inception to promote contemporary music in Ireland - a feat that has transformed Dundalk into one of Europe's premier destinations for contemporary music performance. 

“Folks’ Music” the festival, will take place at various venues around Dundalk. Tickets to the individual concerts start at €5 with a ticket to attend all of the concerts priced at €30. 

The full programme for this year's festival is as follows:

• Friday 16 June, 8pm, St. Nicholas Church of Ireland: Chamber Choir Ireland conducted by Paul Hiller Feat. Caroline Shaw, How to Fold the Wind and world premieres of new works by Linda Catlin Smith Cassandra Miller. Tickets available here
• Saturday 17 June, 1pm, Oriel Centre at Dundalk Gaol: Explore Ensemble perform music by Clara Iannotta, Oliver Leith, Cassandra Miller and Sam Perkin (World Premiere) Tickets available here
• Saturday 17 June, 3pm, St. Vincent’s Chapel Dundalk: The Sigma Project. Tickets available here
• Saturday 17 June, 5pm, The Spirit Store: Caroline Shaw with the Esposito Quartet (Feat Caroline Shaw, vocals, Mia Cooper, violin, Anna Cashel, violin, Joachim Roewer, viola and William Butt, cello) Performing Music by Caroline Shaw and a new work by Laurence Crane. Tickets available here
• Saturday 17 June 2023 St. Nicholas Church of Ireland, Dundalk: Terry Riley's In C performed by Irish Traditional Musicians led by Zoë Conway. Tickets available here   

Speaking ahead of this year’s festival programme, Louth Contemporary Music Society’s director Eamonn Quinn invited audiences to come and be inspired:

“Our annual concert promises to be an unforgettable musical experience for all! This year, attendees will embark on a global journey across various obscure and diverse styles of contemporary music.

"From Spanish Sax Players to Caroline Shaw to Traditional Irish Musicians - everyone is sure to find something that speaks volumes with them. We’re especially thrilled as this festival also includes 4 world premieres of new commissions – come prepared and get ready to expand your horizons!”.

Founded in 2006, Louth Contemporary Music Society is a non for profit organisation aiming to bring world renowned contemporary musicians, performers and composers to play and educate in Co Louth.