Thrilling August concert series to take place in Offaly
Four classical music concerts to be hosted in Birr’s most memorable venues
FROM August 6th-18th, Birr will become a haven for classical music lovers with a thrilling concert series, co-ordinated by Birr Festival of Music.
Four concerts will be held across the town’s most-recognisable and historic venues including in the Gothic Music Salon at Birr Castle, St Brendan’s Church of Ireland on Oxmantown Mall and St Brendan’s R.C. Church on Wilmer Road.
For Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival
Patrick Rafter violin, Dida Condria piano, Thursday August 6th at 3pm in the Music Salon, Birr Castle Demesne
The acclaimed virtuosic violinist Patrick Rafter returns to Birr for the first time since 2022. This time, he is joined by brilliant young Irish/Romanian pianist Dida Condria to perform a programme which includes works by Rachmaninov, Sibelius, Kreisler, Elgar and Vaughan-Williams spell-binding The Lark Ascending. Tickets: €32 + booking fee. These must be booked in advance as only a limited number are available. Walk-ins on the day will not be possible.
Thomas Charles Marshall organ, Adele O’Dwyer cello, Friday August 7th, 1.05pm in St Brendan’s Church of Ireland, Oxmantown Mall
This delightful lunchtime concert features a selection of Romantic works for organ solo and cello and organ duo, ranging from Mendelssohn to Saint-Saëns and Reynaldo Hahn. Thomas Charles Marshall serves as Director of Music at St Ann's Church in Dublin and is Artistic Director of the Tullamore International Summer Organ Series. Adele O'Dwyer brings a wealth of experience to this recital, having held leadership positions with the National Symphony of Ireland, the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra among others. Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the day. Please note: cash only. Proceeds in aid of the Church of Ireland Restoration Fund. Tickets: €15. Children free.
Songs of Travel and Of Home on Sunday August 16th at 3pm in St Brendan's Church of Ireland, Oxmantown Mall.
Baritone Pascal Kennedy and pianist Sophie Ward will take you on a journey through the musically-rich storytelling of Art Song. They will perform Vaughan Williams’ Songs of Travel alongside some beautiful Irish art songs, by composers Herbert Hughes and Thomas Moore and the poetry of W.B Yeats and James Joyce. Proceeds in aid of the Church of Ireland Restoration Fund. This event is with thanks to support from the JVM Trench Will Trust. Tickets: €15 + booking fee. Children free.
European Medical Students’ Orchestra & Choir, Tuesday August 18th at 8pm (Doors from 7.30pm) in St Brendan’s RC Church, Wilmer Road
For more than three decades, the European Medical Students’ Orchestra & Choir (EMSOC) has brought together medical students, young doctors and healthcare professionals from across Europe. Each year, participants gather in a different host country.
This year, EMSOC is proud to be hosted in Ireland with the Birr concert forming part of a three-concert Irish tour, with performances also taking place in Galway and Dublin. Every ticket sold will help support vital local charities including Offaly Hospice. The Birr concert is supported by Offaly County Council, the JVM Trench Will Trust and Birr Festival of Music. Tickets: €20 + booking fee.
Tickets for all concerts are on sale now, visit www.birrfestivalofmusic.com .