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Musicians' Union of Ireland

Musicians' Union of Ireland

Des Courtney Liberty Hall, Dublin 1.
Tel: 01-8586404 Fax: 01-8743691
E-mail: musicians@siptu.ie

The Union Organiser is Des Courtney.

He is supported by Liz Murray, Administrative Assistant.

The major employments in the Branch are:

  • Freelance Professional Music Section
  • Radio Telefis Eireann

The Musicians' Union of Ireland (MUI) - which was launched in January 2003 as an affiliate of SIPTU - represents traditional, rock, pop, jazz, folk, country and western, contemporary and classical musicians – both full-time and part-time.

The Union negotiates pay rates, offers protection from exploitation and bullying and seeks to negotiate improved financial services for musicians.

The immediate core membership of the MUI has included the musicians of the RTE National Symphony Orchestra and the RTE Concert Orchestra who have been organised in the SIPTU and the former ITGWU for over twenty years. They were joined in 2001 by the members of the RTE Vanbrugh Quartet. However, the drive to create a specific organisation for musicians has been based on the ambition to unite all musicians in a single organisation.

Among those who have already pledged their support for the MUI are the influential traditional musicians, Donal Lunny and Andy Irvine; popular musician, Sean Hession, folk singer Johnny McEvoy, pianist and conductor, Noel Kelehan and composer, performer and teacher, Micheal O Suilleabhain.

The MUI is also keen to explore opportunities for co-operative action with Irish Equity, the other representative body for performing arts  – which is also affiliated to SIPTU.




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