Musician Ed Sheeran announced plans to expand his foundation’s activities into the island of Ireland through a new initiative. The Ed Sheeran Foundation is providing funding for North South Sounds 2026, a project that brings together 50 young musicians aged 13-17 from Belfast and Cork. Participants from the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast have collaborated with peers from Music Generation in Cork to develop musical skills and create new work.
The young musicians are scheduled to perform at events during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, with performances taking place at the Oh Yeah Centre and City Hall. Chelsea Andrews, youth engagement manager at Oh Yeah, described the backing as significant support for grassroots music development in both cities. The initiative represents Sheeran’s formal expansion into Northern Ireland and Ireland after previously supporting music education programs across the rest of the UK.
Sheeran emphasized the importance of music access in a statement, noting that Ireland holds special significance for him personally, given his family connection to Belfast. He highlighted the value of providing opportunities for young people to participate in musical learning and performance. The musician has previously acknowledged the impact of music education support during his own development, citing his school teacher as a key influence.
Young participants expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration and its impact on their musical growth. Band members including 15-year-old Avery and 14-year-old Manas noted that working with peers from different genres and backgrounds provided valuable experience and new friendships. Workshop leader Cheylene Murphy detailed the program’s approach, which includes improvisation exercises, songwriting based on themes of Irish music, and performance guidance tailored to participants’ feedback.
Sheeran previously attended the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann festival, where he performed a surprise pub gig during the prior year’s event. The Foundation’s music education mission aims to increase opportunities and support for young musicians across the regions where it operates.
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