Sharon Shannon, Mick Flannery and Cormac Begley are among those taking part in live streamed performances today as part of a Culture Ireland initiative to support artists during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sharon Shannon, Mick Flannery and Cormac Begley are among those taking part in live streamed performances on today as part of a Culture Ireland initiative to support artists during the Covid- 19 pandemic.
‘Ireland Performs’ received €100,000 funding from Culture Ireland and Facebook Ireland.  
Live performances will take place daily on the Culture Ireland Facebook page. 
The performances will include a focus on musicians who were due to perform at international showcases SXSW and The Great Escape.
Culture Ireland is continuing to accept applications for the scheme. 
Chair of Culture Ireland Kieran Hanrahan said: “As so many fantastic Irish artists who were on international tours in March are now back home and with artists’ national and global tours cancelled or postponed, they are sharing their work online rather than on stage.
“In an innovative way I am delighted that Culture Ireland is still able to support them to reach a global audience.”
The first live performance will be at 12:30pm and features Grainne Hambly and William Jackson.
The programme will also be streamed by global Irish cultural centres, including the Irish Arts Centre in New York, the London Irish Centre and Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris.