Ed Sheeran Foundation launches music project in Ireland

The Ed Sheeran Foundation has officially expanded its charitable work into Ireland, launching a major cross-border music initiative that will connect young people from Cork and Belfast. The program, titled North South Sounds 2026, was announced on July 31, 2026, and will run through the end of the year.

The project is a partnership between the singer's foundation, Music Generation Cork City, and the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast. It aims to connect children and young people through songwriting, performance, and community engagement. The initiative will formally launch on Monday, August 3, with a performance by 50 young participants at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann festival at Belfast City Hall. They will premiere collaborative musical pieces developed in preparatory workshops.

In a statement, Ed Sheeran expressed his enthusiasm for the expansion, citing his personal connections to Ireland. The singer, whose grandparents and father are Irish with roots in Wexford and Galway, said he has spent considerable time in the country and that it has always been special to him. He emphasized the foundation's core mission, stating that every child should have the opportunity to learn and...