RTÉ Concert Orchestra to open Birr Festival of Music this Bank Holiday Weekend

It's all eyes on Birr this May Bank Holiday Weekend as the town's 2025 festival season gets underway with Birr Festival of Music.

Taking place from May 1 to 5, the festival has one of the most exciting and ambitious programmes to date for the classical music event.

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra will open this year’s festival at St Brendan’s R.C. Church on Wilmer Road with an unforgettable evening of Opera and Orchestra Favourites.

Conducted by Niall Kinsella, with internationally-acclaimed Irish soprano Ava Dodd and presenter Liz Nolan of RTÉ lyric fm, the concert features beloved classics by Mozart, Donizetti, Ravel, Puccini, Bernstein, and many more.

Acclaimed singer (and one third of the iconic Fascinating Aïda) Liza Pulman will explore the Great American Songbook at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, starting with the genius of Harold Arlen and moving onto Rodgers & Hart, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and as many songs as she can squeeze into one evening. Accompanied by award-winning jazz pianist Gareth Williams, one of the most dynamic and exciting performers in the UK.

In Myths & Magic, Birr Young Voices will perform songs inspired by folklore and legends from Celtic and European tales. They have been exploring the River Shannon through the legends of Sionnan, the River Goddess, and the River Monster, Cata and also worked with animator Finn Nichol to create moving and still images to complement their music.

The Trench Award Gala Concert, the centrepiece of the festival, will showcase emerging singers and instrumentalists from the Midlands. This year’s finalists will each perform a 15-minute programme of their choice.

All are pursuing professional careers in classical music and were selected by an international panel of music experts. Recipients of The Trench Award, Birr Lions Club Bursary, Canto Al Serchio Prize (for voice), the Connolly Award (new this year) and The Lumcloon Energy Award (new this year) will all be announced.

There will also be a host of pop-up performances around the town and masterclasses in Birr Theatre & Arts Centre.

Speaking about this year’s Festival, Artistic Director Niall Kinsella said: “The 2025 festival will be a spectacular musical celebration, featuring a fantastic wealth of Irish and international talent. We are particularly excited to welcome the RTÉ Concert Orchestra to Birr for our Festival Opening Concert, which I know is guaranteed to be a memorable evening of music!”

Book your tickets now at www.birrfestivalofmusic.com