Song shed are dedicated to the artistic excellence in the advance of better community relations and peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.

Song shed was formed in 2003 by Sam Starrett, Richard Laird and Tracey McRory, a group of professional artists, writers, performers and community activists from both sides of the Irish border who wanted to support community relations work though excellence through the arts.

On March 5th, 2007, Sam Starrett who had become one of Northern Ireland’s most widely admired playwrights and songwriters died of cancer.  He co-wrote the globally successful song John Condon – based on the youngest soldier killed in the First World War – with his partner, all-Ireland champion fiddler Tracey McRory, and fellow songwriter Richard Laird.  Sam was a musician, songwriter, playwright, community activist, historian and, above all, a warm, gentle and humorous man who brought a smile to the many lives he touched.