The residency is an innovative programme which will start in June and run for an initial 6-month period. Aimed at teen and adult audiences, the programme will feature a variety of events from ukulele taster sessions and lyric writing workshops to digital composition and production workshops.

Ríona Sally Hartman is a vocalist, composer, educator and bandleader who performs and composes in English and Irish. She releases original music under her own name including her debut album Big Starving Thing as well as performing with many varied projects including IMLÉ, Monster Monster and The National Concert Hall’s Education and Community Outreach Ensemble.

“We are delighted that Ríona is taking up this new residency, which is part of our commitment to making the library a centre for people to engage with music in all kinds of ways. It’s also a great chance for us to try out new services in advance of the development of the new City Library at Parnell Square," Acting City Librarian, Brendan Teeling, said of the Residency.

Funded by Dublin City Council, the residency will involve Ríona composing and performing new site specific music inspired by stories that library users will share with her about places that are important to them in Dublin.

There will also be a Young Adults Band in Residence who will follow along the process and be guided by Ríona in writing and performing their own new music. Themes to be explored during the residency will include Melody and Harmony, Arrangement and Instrumentation, Form and Development & Recording and Performance.