Dublin musicians invited to apply for high end classical instruments

Applications are invited from musicians based in Dublin to apply to the Music Network National Musical Instrument Collection – open to up and coming classical players.

The call is for access to seven high quality classical instruments including three violins, a viola, a cello and a concert harp.

The announcement was been made by the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan T.D. as part of the Music Network Music Capital Scheme which has been supporting the purchase of musical instruments for both individual professional musicians and non-professional performing groups for the past 17 years.

This specific strand of the scheme, for high end classical instruments was run for the first time last year. It is designed to address the unique challenges faced by emerging professional classical players – and keen to receive applications from exceptional Dublin musicians.

A primary barrier in fulfilling artistic and career potential is the lack of access to a high end tonally strong instruments. The award loans high quality instruments for a period of three years to successful applicants.

Furthermore, awardees may also be offered up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new bow which they will retain and own permanently.

This round of the award is open to advanced violinists, violists, cellists and harpists who are about to embark on, or in the process of studying for a Master’s degree, or who have completed their studies within the last three years and now embarking on their professional career.

Applicants must demonstrate high potential and have a strong track record as solo performers and / or in chamber music settings. Applications are open to musicians who are Irish citizens or resident in the Republic of Ireland. Irish citizens do not need to be living in Ireland to apply.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan T.D. said: “I am delighted that we have been able to support the Music Capital Scheme and the establishment of the Music Network National Musical Instrument Collection. This scheme is designed to address the unique challenges faced by our emerging classical musicians in the early stages of a professional performance career. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Music Network for the outstanding work they do which has a significant impact on the quality of, and access to, music-making and live music performance throughout Ireland.”

Established in 2008, the Music Capital Scheme is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and managed by Music Network. Since it was established the Scheme has made 850 awards to individual musicians and organisations, providing access to instruments for over 70,000 people across the country. 430 non-professional performing groups have been able to purchase instruments and expand their memberships, and 416 professional established and emerging musicians advanced their performance careers with new instruments enabled by the scheme. Even more musicians will be supported this year and in the future through the continued expansion of this instrument collection.

This year seven instruments have been added to the collection including:

• Violin: Alessandro Camilletti (2025)
• Violin: Fratelli Guastalla (1925)
• Violin: Voller Brothers (1893)
• Viola: Charles John Wilkinson (c. 1935)
• The Maurice Meulien Cello & Bow: Caressa & Francais cello (1906), Robert Pierce bow (2021)
• Cello: Roger Hansell, Davidov-Stradivari copy (2020)
• Concert Harp: Salvi – Iris Natural (2025).

Music Network Chair Pat Moylan commented: “We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for its ongoing commitment to providing vital funding for musical instruments to both groups and individual musicians working in any genre. This investment is having a transformative effect on Ireland’s musical landscape, in so many different settings.”

Speaking about the award Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston said: “We are particularly excited about the opportunity this funding has provided to establish a National Musical Instrument Collection, a significant step forward in addressing the barriers some musicians encounter. We plan to continue developing the collection over the coming years to expand the range of instruments available, providing support for even more musicians.

“While Ireland’s artistic community consistently excels on the international stage, many of our most promising classical musicians struggle to reach their full potential for lack of access to an appropriate instrument, due to the prohibitive cost involved. We believe this scheme will be a game changer, allowing awarded musicians to truly shine and providing access to this valuable collection for future generations to come.”

Applications for the Music Network National Musical Instrument Collection – Music Capital Scheme Award 4 – are now invited and close on Tuesday 29 September 2026 at 2pm.

There will be an online information session for applicants on Tuesday 11 August 2026 at 11am. Applications can be made online at musicnetwork.ie. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview the week of 19 October 2026, followed by in-person auditions in Dublin on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 October.

Music Network is committed to equity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals within culturally diverse communities and people with disabilities. More information about the awards, guidelines and application forms is available at www.musicnetwork.ie

Enquiries regarding the Music Capital Scheme Award 4 can be sent to Sarah Ledwidge, Music Capital Scheme Manager at capitalscheme@musicnetwork.ie or call 083 016 2718. This project is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.