Monaghan Tourism and Creative Monaghan are joining forces once again this Summer on ‘Scenic Sessions’, a series of pop-up gigs taking place in unexpected, scenic locations throughout the County this summer.
Exactly where each artist will be performing and when, will be announced on Monaghan Tourism’s social media channels (@MonaghanTourism on Facebook, Instagram and X) the evening before or on the morning of the gig itself, and the 20-minute sets will be free of charge for the public to attend.
Gigs so far have included Niamh Farrell and Podge McNamee of Ham Sandwich performing in Market Square, Carrickmacross; Gráinne Duffy and Paul Sherry at Clones Marina; and country music favourite, Ciarán Rosney at Lough Muckno.
If you are not lucky enough to experience a gig in person, fear not – performances will be filmed and subsequently posted on the Monaghan Tourism socials.
“This has become the highlight of the Summer for us, an eclectic line-up of incredible musicians showcasing Monaghan’s most scenic locations. The spontaneous, ‘pop-up’ element, means you never know when, where or who will be performing – you’ll just have to keep a close eye on our social media channels for announcements,” said Dympna Condra, Monaghan County Council spokesperson.
“Following the success of last year’s programme, we’re excited to welcome Scenic Sessions back for another season of creativity, collaboration and cultural discovery. It’s a wonderful example of how arts and tourism can work together to create memorable experiences for visitors while supporting the talented artists and makers who bring Monaghan’s cultural landscape to life,” says Deirdriu McQuaid, Cultural Services, Monaghan County Council.
Mark Mohan, Manager, Ireland’s Ancient East at Fáilte Ireland said:
“Fáilte Ireland is pleased to support initiatives such as Scenic Sessions, which bring together culture, heritage and place to create distinctive visitor experiences. Set against some of Monaghan’s unique scenic locations, Scenic Sessions showcases the rich heritage of the ancient Kingdom of Oriel while encouraging visitors and local communities alike to engage with the county’s cultural and natural assets.
“Scenic sessions aligns closely with the ambitions of the Monaghan Destination Experience and Development Plan, highlighting the area’s unique character and enhancing Monaghan’s appeal as part of Ireland’s Ancient East. Events like this contribute to the vibrancy of Ireland’s Ancient East, supporting the community and wider visitor economy by creating benefits for local businesses across the county and region.”
Scenic Sessions is supported by Fáilte Ireland, Creative Monaghan, Monaghan County Council Arts Office and the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.
For more information, visit monaghantourism.com