A few weeks ago, my songwriting class was given a painting at an art exhibition and one simple task: write a song about it. No warm-up, no time to overthink, just a notebook and a blank page. In that moment, I realized something. I wasn’t only studying music in Ireland. I was living inside it.
I’m Devis, I’m Italian, and I came to Limerick to study songwriting. I’ve only been here for a couple of months, but I’ve already discovered quite a lot about the music scene at UL. And I’d love to share a few ways you can get involved, even if music isn’t what you’re studying.
Music is Everywhere
Ireland is proud of its music, and you feel it almost immediately. It isn’t something that only happens on a stage. It’s part of everyday life: in the streets, in the sessions, and in the corridors of the Irish World Academy, where you hear someone playing almost every time you walk through.
I haven’t tried busking yet, so I can’t tell you what it’s like to play on the streets here. I’ll have to report back on that one! What I can tell you is how welcome music feels. Musicians in Ireland aren’t just part of the entertainment; they seem to be part of the community itself. They give a city its character and make it more special for locals and visitors alike.
That was one of my biggest surprises. Back home in Italy, my experience of playing live has often involved permits, paperwork and venues where opportunities can be harder to find (also within budget). Here, people seem to get together and play simply for the joy of it. That’s what the community sounds like.
Where to get involved on campus
The Irish World Academy. You don’t have to study music to get involved. Plenty of people here love music without studying it, and the easiest way to find out what others play, what they want to create and whether you could collaborate is simply to talk to them. The Academy also hosts free events such as the Trad Café, where students play traditional Irish music and everyone is welcome. Check the Academy’s events page to see what’s coming up.
The UL Music Society. Whether you’re a singer-songwriter, a traditional musician or a DJ, there’s something for you here. The society organizes open mics, trad sessions and DJ-related activities, including Techno Tuesday. You don’t need to be a member to attend everything, so it’s a good way to meet other musicians and see what people are up to. Check the society’s page for the latest activities and times.
The University Concert Hall. For most music students, this is the dream stage. It’s definitely mine. Even if performing isn’t your thing, it’s a great place to discover different artists and enjoy live music without having to leave campus.
Where to catch some live music
If you’d rather listen than play, you don’t need to go far. Here are a few ways to fill your evenings with music, starting right here on campus.
- A free lunchtime concert at the Irish World Academy. The Academy regularly hosts free lunchtime concerts featuring students and guest musicians. It’s a lovely way to take a break from lectures and discover something new. Have a look at the Academy’s events page to see what’s coming up.
- An evening of jazz. The Young Irish Jazz Musician 2026 concert takes place at the University Concert Hall on Sunday 22 November at 7.30pm. Tickets are €10.
- A bit of Christmas spirit. The Limerick Choral Union’s Handel’s Messiah takes place on Saturday 28 November at 8pm (€30). And if you’re already in the Christmas mood, the UL Orchestra Christmas Concert featuring The Snowman is on Sunday 29 November at 7.30pm (€15).
- A weekly night with the Music Society. Keep an eye out for the open mic, trad sessions and DJ activities. They’re a relaxed way to hear what
Other students are playing, and perhaps find your next musical collaborator.
These events are scheduled for November 2026, so check the venue websites for the latest information and ask about student prices.
Embrace a blank page
On the MA in Songwriting, we’re often asked to create something on the spot. We’ve written from a poem, from a painting at an exhibition and from a handful of sentences someone handed us. It’s uncomfortable at first, especially when you have no idea where to start. Sometimes the hardest part is not finding the right words, but convincing yourself that the first three terrible ones are worth keeping!
Then it becomes exciting, because these exercises teach you to trust the first image that comes to mind instead of polishing it forever.
They’re also a great way to meet people. When you have to write something new together in a short time, you quickly find out who you click with, both musically and personally.
How songwriting has changed for me
For years, I wrote songs in one shape: verse, chorus, verse, chorus. Here, I’ve started to question that: a song can be made up of verses alone, a chorus can be just a single line.
I’m experimenting with my guitar playing too, and writing about topics that are more personal, and sometimes heavier, than the stories I told a few years ago.
It hasn’t always been easy. Writing lyrics in English is probably my biggest challenge. I came to Ireland partly because I felt my lyrics had become predictable, and sometimes it seems like everyone around me has a much richer vocabulary.
But recently, a lecturer I admire complimented a lyric I’d written in half an hour, completely on the spot. The words were simple, but the images were vivid. That was the moment I thought: okay, maybe I can do this after all.
Three things I’d tell a music student
- Put yourself out there. Back in Italy, I wasn’t used to getting involved as much. Here, I’ve realised that the more you see people taking part, the more you feel like trying new things yourself. Sometimes you just have to show up.
- Collaborate beyond your department. Look for unusual partnerships with Music Therapy, Community Music or the BA in Music. For example, try finding out whether a song you’ve written works for someone who sings but doesn’t usually write. You might discover something you wouldn’t have thought of on your own.
- Stay yourself. Improve and grow, but don’t feel you have to prove you’re versatile by jumping between genres all the time. In my opinion, knowing what makes your music yours is just as important as learning something new.
Final Thoughts
I’ve only been here two months, and I haven’t even played in public yet, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that music at UL isn’t something you just watch from the audience. It’s something you can be part of.
So, if you’re new to campus and you play, sing, write songs, DJ, or simply love music, don’t be shy. Get involved, go to an event, meet some musicians and, if you see me around, come and say hello!
Follow Devis’s journey in UL on Tik Tok: @differentdev_
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