Hundreds of free tickets to Ireland’s first music festival since the pandemic began have been set aside for frontline healthcare workers.

Gavin James is headlining the pilot festival in Dublin with Denise Chaila, Wyvern Lingo, Wild Youth, Sharon Shannon and Lyra also taking to the stage.

Some 3,500 fans will be able to attend, with social distancing reduced to one-metre and rapid antigen testing taking place beforehand.

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 9am and will be sold in pods of either four or six people.

Hard to believe I get to play a show next week 😳

It’s been a long 15 months of no gigs so myself, the crews, all of the other artists, and everyone involved in this are over the moon to get to go back to work!

Also ... there’s gonna be beer 🍺

on sale this Friday at 9am 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Rjxfuio45R

— Gavin James (@gavinjames) June 22, 2021

In a tweet, Gavin James said it is “hard to believe” he is finally getting to perform live again.

“It’s been a long 15 months of no gigs so myself, the crews, all of the other artists and everyone involved in this are over the moon to get to go back to work,” he said.

“Also ... there’s gonna be beer.”

Denise Chaila said she can’t wait to see the crowds.

“I’m planning on leaving 15 months of frustration, grief and longing on that stage,” she wrote.

The Arts Minister Catherine Martin said 500 free tickets will be set aside for frontline healthcare workers and their friends as a “special thank you.”

She said the pilot events aim to aim to, “build the road back to the safe and full recovery of live music and sporting events.”

It comes after 500 people attended the country's first live concert since the pandemic at the Iveagh Gardens earlier this month.

Christy Moore is also due to play a pilot concert at the INEC in County Kerry this Saturday June 26th.