A selection of Ireland's most celebrated musicians, actors and spoken word artists are set to descend on Kilkenny next month, for April Sounds – a three-day concert series, running from April 8–10, with full proceeds from ticket sales going to the Red Cross Ukraine and UNICEF Ukraine, in response to the ongoing conflict there.

The Ukrainian Red Cross is carrying out humanitarian work, from aiding refugees to training doctors, while UNICEF Ukraine is repairing schools damaged by the bombings, and providing an emergency response to children affected by the conflict.

Taking place in Kilkenny's St. Canice's Cathedral and the Medieval Mile Museum, April Sounds will feature performances from Lisa O’ Neill, Rónán Ó Snodaigh, actor Stephen Rea, spoken word artist FeliSpeaks and many more across the three days.

The series opens on Friday, April 8, at St. Canice’s Cathedral with live sets from Lisa O’ Neill, duo Rónán Ó Snodaigh & Myles O'Reilly and Arrivalists – with Kilkenny’s singer-songwriter Bríd Lyons opening the series.

The following evening, April 9, St. Canice’s Cathedral will play host to Saíocht – a celebration of Ireland’s leading poets and Irish traditional musicians.

Saíocht is hosted by world renowned actor Stephen Rea, and features poet Gabriel Rosenstock, spoken word artist FeliSpeaks plus poems by two Kilkenny poets Robert McLoughlin and Emily Murtagh. They'll be joined by acclaimed Irish traditional musicians, Louise & Michelle Mulcahy and Neil Martin – exploring the fascinating artistic relationship between the Irish literary tradition and Irish traditional music.

Following their moving performance of the lament 'Anach Cuan' on the Late Late Show in honour of Aishling Murphy, Connemara siblings Caoimhe and Séamus Uí Flatharta will make their Kilkenny debut on Sunday, April 10, at the Medieval Mile Museum at 12pm. Critically-acclaimed songwriter Niamh Regan and local musician Gary O'Neill will then take to the stage at 3pm. Alt-folk act Ailbhe Reddy, meanwhile, will perform at the Medieval Mile Museum at 6pm that evening, with support from local musician Elise.

Celebrating the launch of his new record, Twilight, Kilkenny-based singer-songwriter songwriter John Hegarty will close out April Sounds on April 10 with an album launch at 8.30pm.

Tickets are on sale now here.