Established in 2016, Birr Festival of Music is a dynamic and ever-evolving annual celebration of music, held in the heritage town of Birr, Co. Offaly. Rooted in excellence and community, the festival brings together artists, audiences and emerging singers and instrumentalists in a vibrant and inclusive programme each year.
In addition to our flagship festival, we proudly host two key initiatives that extend our impact year-round:
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The Trench Award, supporting emerging classical singers and instrumentalists as they pursue professional training and development
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Birr Young Voices, a multicultural choral programme for children aged 8–13, reaching hundreds of participants from 14 local schools since its inception in 2017
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Each May Bank Holiday Weekend, the Festival presents a diverse array of musical experiences: high-quality concerts across Birr’s historic venues, pop-up events, music in schools, masterclasses, community outreach events and more. Each event showcases the talents of both emerging and internationally-acclaimed singers and instrumentalists, reflecting our commitment to artistic quality, accessibility and innovation.
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The RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Bruno Caproni, Julian Evans,
Irish Chamber Orchestra, Paula Murrihy, Malcolm Martineau, Stella Bass, Liza Pulman, Contempo Quartet, Crash Ensemble, Patrick Rafter, Finghin Collins, John Finucane and the late Cara O’Sullivan have all performed at Birr Festival of Music.
With a strong track record of fostering music education, promoting cultural vibrancy and engaging audiences across generations, Birr Festival of Music continues to be a cornerstone of the Midlands' cultural life. As we approach 10 years of the Festival in 2026, we will expand our programme to include other music genres, enhance artist development opportunities and expand access to music for all.
Our Vision
Our aims are to:
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expand the profile and enjoyment of music for all
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​support emerging professional singers and instrumentalists in their training and development
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support children’s choral singing through Birr Young Voices
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​work to establish a Community Festival Choir - SING IT! Community Choir was founded in 2024
About our festival
2026
Festival
Thursday 30 April - Monday 4 May 2026
Birr Festival of Music returns for its 10th annual Festival across the 2026 May Bank Holiday Weekend.
More announcements coming later this year.
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But for now, please do save the dates!
SCHOOLS OUTREACH
Our Education events are a cornerstone of our mission to make music accessible and meaningful across our community. Through this initiative, we bring professional singers and instrumentalists into local schools, where they inspire students with live performances, interactive workshops and personal stories about their musical journeys. These visits not only enrich music education but also foster creativity, curiosity and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. By connecting professional musicians with young learners, we’re nurturing the next generation of artists, audiences and arts advocates.
Acclaimed Verdi baritone Bruno Caproni, international pianist Julian Evans, the Far Flung Trio, the dynamic choral director Mary Amond O’Brien, previous Trench Award winners and even Irish National Opera have all visited local schools in recent years as part of our Education Outreach.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Memories in Music
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Memories in Music is a valued part of our community outreach, bringing much-loved melodies and familiar songs to residents, families, friends, and staff at Birr Community Nursing Unit. This special initiative offers a meaningful trip down memory lane, using the power of music to spark connection, joy and reminiscence. Through these shared musical experiences, we aim to uplift spirits, celebrate stories, strengthen the bonds within our community.
OUR
TEAM
Niall Kinsella
Artistic Director
Niall Kinsella was appointed the first Artistic Director for Birr Festival of Music in 2024 after first taking up the role of Artistic Curator in 2023.
Niall has established himself as one of Ireland’s most exciting, versatile and sought-after musicians. He has performed extensively across Europe, in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Hungary, Czech-Republic, Italy and United Kingdom, in venues such as Wiener Musikverein, Wiener Konzerthaus, Mozarthaus Wien, The Liszt Academy, Budapest, St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, and National Concert Hall, Dublin.
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Niall made his debut conducting the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in September 2023 at the National Concert Hall, conducting a programme of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s music, in a sold-out performance that was recorded for broadcast on RTÉ lyric FM.
Photograph by Andrej Grilc
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It is a great honour to take on the role of Artistic Director of the Birr Festival of Music. I hope to build on the excellent work the Festival team and its visionary director Maureen de Forge have done to date. It is my ambition to ensure this dynamic young music festival cements its reputation for putting on outstanding musical events for the midlands community, and begins to attract audiences from further afield.
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Niall Kinsella
Artistic Director, Birr Festival of Music
Niall Kinsella
Artistic Director
Enda O'Connor
Secretary/Artistic Consultant
Rachael Corboy
Youth Development Officer
Brian Connolly
Production Support
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DJ Wilson
Festival Committee
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Maureen de Forge
Chairperson
Anne O'Callaghan Rowan
Development Officer
Michelle de Forge
Artist Liaison
Anne Reilly
Festival Committee
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Tommy Lyndon
Treasurer
Emma Nee Haslam
Venue Manager, Birr Theatre & Arts Centre
Rebecca Kelly
Marketing & PR Manager
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Susan Molloy
Festival Committee
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