Artists including Christy Moore, the Revs, Kíla and the comedian Barry Murphy are to perform at an anti-war concert set to coincide with the visit to Ireland later this month of US President George W Bush.
The "When Bush Comes to Shove" concert will also be marked with the release of a single called "Lonely Soldier" written by Damian Rice and featuring Christy Moore.
Christy Moore, speaking in Dublin's Liberty Hall today, said he was happy to lend his voice to the event as he found Mr George W Bush to be a "particularly frightening man" and was opposed to him being welcomed to Ireland.
Organisers of the concert emphasised today that the event was not "anti-American" but was being held in opposition to US foreign policy and in solidarity with those in the United States who opposed Mr Bush and the war in Iraq.
Rónán Ó Snodaigh of Kíla said he did not understand why the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, had not represented the voices of those who marched last year against the war in Iraq.
Proceeds from the single and concert will be donated to the Stop Bush Campaign - a group set up to oppose the Bush visit, and the Irish Anti-War Movement, which opposes the US-led war in Iraq. Tickets are €30 each (standing) and are available from the usual outlets nationwide.
The concert is the first of a series of protests which are planned to take place ahead of and during Mr Bush's visit to Ireland on the weekend of June 25th and 26th.
A march has been organised to take place in Dublin on the evening of Friday June 25th, followed by a march the next day at Dromoland Castle in Co Clare where Mr Bush is due to meet the Taoiseach.
