RTÉ Concert Orchestra to open Birr Festival of Music this May

The programme for the ninth annual Birr Festival of Music has been officially unveiled.

It's taking place over the May bank holiday weekend, from Thursday, May 1 to Monday, May 5, and organisers say this year will feature "one of the most exciting and ambitious programmes to date" for the annual Offaly classical music festival.

The recent appointment of renowned pianist and conductor Niall Kinsella as Artistic Director "marks a significant development for the Festival," said the organising committee, and it hailed the "the outstanding calibre of events and artists" Niall is bringing to Birr this year.

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

Her effortless vocals and unique musicianship are partnered with award-winning jazz pianist Gareth Williams, one of the most dynamic and exciting performers in the UK.

For this year’s lunchtime concert at Craughwell’s Courtyard, '4 in a Bar', the award-winning male vocal quartet, will trace the theme of love through the centuries, embracing a broad range of music from Baroque to Barbershop and all presented with characteristic spontaneity and wit.

The Trench Award Gala Concert, the centrepiece of the festival, will showcase emerging singers and instrumentalists from the Midlands.

This year’s six 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, the Connolly Award (new this year), will be announced.

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 local animator and musician Finn Nichol to create moving and still images to complement their music.

The festival is also expanding its outreach to local secondary schools. For 'Sing, Sing, Sing!' students will come together for a day of fun-filled singing workshops led by dynamic choral director Mary Amond O’Brien.

Students will also gain an insight into what it means to be a successful professional musician with acclaimed baritone Bruno Caproni and concert pianist Julian Evans presenting music and stories from their international careers.

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 programme, Artistic Director Niall Kinsella said: “It is with great excitement that we announce this year’s programme for Birr Festival of Music. 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!"

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday next, March 11, at 1.30pm. For more details, see: www.birrfestivalofmusic.com