Donegal musician launches ‘Listening Spaces Network’ to support emerging artists

A Donegal-based musician is turning frustration into opportunity for local artists, a place to be heard, and creating a sense of community. 

Maria McCormack is the founder of ‘Listening Spaces Network’. 

The Ramelton native is a musician and a broadcaster with her own radio station. Beginning as a DJ in Strabane, Maria realised that there was a lack of local music. Using her own platform, she created ‘Over the West’, a radio station dedicated to streaming music from artists all over Donegal. 

She is known to have continuously supported other smaller artists and has given them a platform over the past few years. 

To celebrate St Patrick's Day, a friend mentioned that they should play music from more Irish artists for the national festivities, and inspiration instantly struck.

“I decided to take it a step further,” Maria says. “Like a puppy, it’s not just for Christmas, just like how Irish music isn’t just for St Patrick's Day”. 

Within two days, the ‘Listening Spaces Network’ was created. It was made to “restore intentional listening environments within local communities”.

Maria believes that more Irish music should be heard all over the country. 

“Music should be heard where it is made,” she adds.

This network is all about reconnecting artists, audiences, and independent businesses through the power of sound. While ‘Listening Spaces Network’ started in Donegal, Maria hopes that “it will spread organically all over Ireland.” 

She also takes this as an opportunity to discover new artists across different counties. 

“I absolutely love discovering local artists all over the country,” she says. 

Maria makes playlists with songs by local artists for ‘Certified Listening Spaces’ to play.

‘Certified Listening Spaces’ are venues that actively support and showcase local music every day. It gives guests “a chance to hear the sound of Donegal”. 

By having businesses play music by local musicians, even tourists can get a taster and may want to discover more.

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“You know, tourists could come in, and they can hear what songs have been made by artists in our communities, and leave wanting to hear more”. 

With currently five cafes and one accommodation joining her network, with more wanting to collaborate with her, she says that she “thanks God every day because I finally feel like this can change everything,” and that “I love it. I feel like this was meant for me to do.” 

Maria hopes that any businesses that want to get involved and any local artists who want their music heard can reach out through her website. 

“I want to be a stepping stone for them to be great.”