Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown’s arts scene is set for a major creative boost, and it’s the kind of local cultural update that stands out in Dublin news. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office, working with Music Network, has named Cormac Curran and Julia Mahon as the dlr Musicians-in-Residence for 2026, backing two distinct artists with time, funding, workspace and public engagement opportunities from August through December.
The annual programme, now in its 12th year, supports the creation of new music while connecting artists directly with local audiences. For 2026, the scheme includes one residency for an established artist and another designed to support an emerging composer, musician or songwriter.
What the 2026 residency means for Dublin news and local culture
This latest announcement underlines how public arts investment continues to shape community life across the county. The residency gives each musician practical support to develop fresh work, build collaborations and present ideas in progress through performances, workshops and open rehearsals in Dún Laoghaire.
For readers following Dublin news, the wider significance is clear:
- New original music will be created in the county
- Residents will get access to live creative processes, not just finished performances
- Emerging and established talent will both receive meaningful institutional support
- The programme strengthens local cultural infrastructure through public funding and partnerships
Cormac Curran’s new collaboration
Composer and multi-instrumentalist Cormac Curran will use the residency to build a new collaborative project with Tommy Tiernan. The work will bring together newly written prose by Tiernan and original compositions by Curran, with the aim of producing material for both a live performance and an album.
The project will examine how music can respond to language, emotion and rhythm in a live artistic setting. Communities across Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown are also expected to be part of that journey through workshops, rehearsals and public-facing events.
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Julia Mahon’s new performance work
Julia Mahon, the Dublin-based composer, musician and songwriter who performs as J. Lune, will develop a new full-length electroacoustic piece titled Home, Or Something Like It. Her project explores identity, migration and belonging through the lens of one place: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
The work is set to combine:
- Uilleann pipes
- Piano
- Synthesisers
- Cello
- Electronics and live effects
- New poetry by Daniel Wade and Vickey Curtis
Community voices will also be woven into the composition, adding a local and personal dimension to the performance. Mahon will present a public workshop and share the work in progress during the residency period.
Why this matters beyond the arts
While this is primarily a cultural story, it also reflects a broader pattern seen across Dublin business and civic development: strategic investment in creative talent can deliver long-term value for place-making, tourism and community identity. Cultural programmes like this help make counties more attractive not only for residents but also for people who plan to study in Ireland or work in Ireland and want to understand the richness of local life.
Council and Music Network representatives welcomed the appointments, highlighting both the strength of the partnership and the value of giving artists the resources needed to advance their practice and careers.
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What to expect in the months ahead
Audiences in Dún Laoghaire can expect a residency period that is interactive rather than distant. Instead of only unveiling final shows, the programme invites the public into the making of the work itself.
Key takeaways include:
- Two artists have been selected for dlr’s 2026 residency programme
- The residencies run from August to December
- Both musicians will create new work with public participation elements
- The scheme is funded by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the Arts Council, and managed by Music Network
For anyone tracking Dublin news, this is more than an arts appointment. It is a sign of how local institutions are continuing to invest in creativity, collaboration and public engagement. As the residencies unfold, Dún Laoghaire audiences will have a front-row seat to two ambitious new Irish music projects taking shape.
