To celebrate the launch of Irish Music Month, the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, has shared a special new message, voicing his support for this major new initiative.

Irish Music Month, which will run throughout the month of October, was announced yesterday by Hot Press and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI).

Twenty-five independent radio stations from all over Ireland have signed up for what is the biggest ever programming event undertaken by local and regional stations, since the foundation of independent radio in Ireland, in 1989. The event is supported by the BAI, under its Sound & Vision scheme.

Other supporters of the project – which will see an unprecedented level of support for Irish music talent on Irish radio – include XL Retail group, MCD Productions, IMRO and RAAP.

With the joint input of twenty-five independent radio stations, and Hot Press as a national anchor, the whole event will see stations:

• Assist in the national campaign to support the live music industry in Ireland from grass roots upwards
• Play more Irish music, in all its wonderful diversity – and provide a significant additional boost for the profile and status of Irish artists
• Help to generate a fresh buzz of excitement about the work of Irish artists, musicians and performers
• Run a major national talent search, under the A New Local Hero banner, that will involve the direct payment of €100k to Irish artists
• Assist in boosting sales of Irish merchandising and other band and artist products through a major free on-air advertising campaign
• Create additional exposure for Irish artists in Hot Press and across other Irish and international media

In his statement, President Higgins said that the initiative is "yet another profound statement of the central role of culture in our lives; of the commitment of so many dedicated people within the artistic community to ensuring access to that culture; and of the support that is there for them from the media, which is so important to nurturing and encouraging our artistic talent.

"I have no hesitation in saying that we owe a great debt of gratitude to every single one of the 25 independent radio stations, spread as they are around the country – and providing as they do a special connection to the citizens of this country and to music fans across all genres – for supporting this important event; and to Hot Press, who have made such a valuable, lasting contribution to Irish music across so many years."

Read President Michael D. Higgins' full statement below:

May I send my best wishes to all of those who are participating in, and supporting, Irish Music Month.

This initiative is the biggest ever co-operative action taken by independent radio stations in Ireland and as such it is genuinely historic. A major statement of support for Irish music from 25 independent Irish radio stations, working with Hot Press, and supported by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, it is to be welcomed with open arms.

The role and significance of music to life in Ireland cannot be over-stated. Irish musicians are among our most talented and best loved performers. They are also, as it happens, among the finest practitioners of their art in the world.

The popularity of our musicians, bands and performers extends far beyond Irish shores. Not only do these artists bring our rich musical tradition to countries across the globe, but they also ensure that this extraordinary living tradition – powerful and resonant in its own right – remains open to the influence and enrichment of other cultures, and of other artistic perspectives. This is how Irish music evolves, and develops, constantly reflecting, in this powerful dynamic, the changing society with which it engages.

As we begin to slowly emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, which threw such a dark shadow across so many aspects of our lives, including the cultural, we will, I hope, be fuelled with a deeper appreciation of the invaluable contribution that the arts, and culture, make to our shared lives.

Along with all our artists, the musicians of Ireland offer to us, as a society, an enriching and often very beautiful and inspiring creative vision. But they do more, also challenging the status quo, in a way that is in itself courageous and liberating.

Throughout this difficult, most recent chapter of our shared lives, which endangered the cultural space, and the livelihoods of those who work within it, in a unique and troubling way, I have been greatly inspired by the many imaginative and inventive ways in which our artistic community has continued to forge a positive path, working at the daunting task of expressing the fears and the anxieties, as well as the hopes and the dreams of our people.

It has also been deeply encouraging to witness the generous and enthusiastic support from our citizens, which has been such a significant testament to the importance of artistic work during particularly challenging and worrying times.

Irish Music Month takes that testament on to the next level. It is yet another profound statement of the central role of culture in our lives; of the commitment of so many dedicated people within the artistic community to ensuring access to that culture; and of the support that is there for them from the media, which is so important to nurturing and encouraging our artistic talent.

I have no hesitation in saying that we owe a great debt of gratitude to every single one of the 25 independent radio stations, spread as they are around the country – and providing as they do a special connection to the citizens of this country and to music fans across all genres – for supporting this important event; and to Hot Press, who have made such a valuable, lasting contribution to Irish music across so many years.

I thank them, and all those involved in Irish Music Month, and wish you every success with this very valuable and imaginative initiative.

Gach rath ar an tógra samhlaíoch tábhachtach seo.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.