The Trench Award
Now in its 13th year, The Trench Award is a prestigious initiative presented as part of Birr Festival of Music, designed to support emerging classical singers and instrumentalists from the Midlands and Mid-West regions of Ireland.
Each year, applications are invited from those who are pursuing a career in professional classical music performance.
The primary aim of The Trench Award is to assist these young artists as they progress toward professional careers by offering financial support in the form of bursaries. These awards help recipients pursue further study at recognised universities, conservatoires, or accredited music institutions in Ireland or abroad.
Over the years, The Trench Award has been adjudicated by leading figures in Irish and international classical music, including Fergus Sheil, David Brophy, Katherine Hunka, Sandra Oman, Dr Róisín Blunnie, Bruno Caproni, and Julian Evans. Their involvement reinforces the award’s status as a serious platform for emerging artists and affirms our commitment to fostering professional development in classical music.
The Trench Award Gala Concert
Sunday 3 May
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre | 7.30
In 2026, six finalists will perform a 15-minute programme at The Trench Award Gala Concert at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, on Sunday 3 May when The Trench Award and other bursaries will be awarded by an international selection panel.
In 2025, we decided to abolish the upper age limit for the Trench Award, to ensure that emerging artists are supported based on their talent and potential, rather than their age. We recognise that many individuals begin their musical journeys at different stages, and that artistic growth doesn't follow a single timeline. Our focus is on merit, creativity, and passion, allowing a broader range of artists to benefit from the financial support offered by the Trench Awards.
Niall Kinsella
Artistic Director, Birr Festival of Music
2026 FINALISTS
Becky Corcoran
Oboe
Becky began learning oboe when she was 9 and is now in her fourth year at the RNCM studying with Hugh McKenna, Ruth Contractor and Philippe Tondre with a scholarship supported by the Waverly Fund.
Highlights of her musical journey include playing The Flying Dutchman with Opera North, travelling to Croatia with the Irish Youth Baroque Orchestra and working with elderly people through String of Hearts.
As a soloist she has performed around Ireland and Manchester and is a multi-prize winner at the Feis Ceoil as well as having won the RNCM Rothwell Prize and TU Dublin Senior Orchestral Recital competition.
Éadaoin Hassett
Soprano
Éadaoin Hassett is studying on the MMus in Vocal Performance at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Prof Virginia Kerr and coaches Andrew Synnott and Dearbhla Collins.
There, she recently portrayed ‘L’Enfant’ in Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges and was awarded First Prize in the Irené Sandford Award for Singers.
Éadaoin has cultivated a strong duo partnership with pianist Oana – Alexandra Lelutiu. The pair were recently been awarded the RIAM Chamber Fest Prize and the Milne Cup at the Feis Ceoil, Dublin. Most recently, she participated in a Collaborative Song Project with Iain Burnside which will continue as a collaboration with the Juilliard School in 2026.
Grace Minnock
Piano
Grace completed her music education degree in the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) in 2024, achieving a first-class honours and commenced the masters in piano performance course at RIAM last September studying with the renowned Maria McGarry.
Grace has a strong traditional music background and is the recipient of 19 All-Ireland Fleadh medals for the harp, piano, tin-whistle, flute and whistling. She also has a keen interest in composition – some of her recent works include “Les Souris” and “Oratio Fatimae”. She is passionate about music education and teaches both privately and as part of the RIAM musicianship faculty.
Clare Quinn
Soprano
Clare Quinn is a recent graduate from the Royal Academy of Music in London
Winner of the Bernadette Greevy Prize, Clare made her solo recital debut at the National Concert Hall in 2024. She was a finalist and Prize-winner in Northern Ireland Opera’s 2025 Glenarm Festival of Voice and was also the recipient of the Harlequinn Agency Prize at RWCMD.
During her time at the Academy, she has worked with Freddie De Tomasso and Lucy Crowe. Clare has performed at Carnegie Hall; The Royal Albert Hall; for Irish President in Áras an Uachtaráin; as well as performing in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World fringe events. Clare joins the Irish National Opera extra chorus for the 2025/26 season.
Clíodhna Regan
Soprano
Clíodhna recently graduated from a degree in Music Performance from the TU Dublin Conservatoire with First-Class Honours, under the tutelage of Mairead Buicke and Aoife O’Sullivan.
Awards include a bursary from the Derry Feis and the John McCormack Society Bursary at the Feis Ceoil. Last year, Clíodhna made her operatic debut with Dublin City Council ‘Opera in the Open’, in the role of Frasquita (Bizet Carmen), and Despina (Mozart Cosi
Fan Tutte).
Recent engagements include Le Foyer des Artistes Young Singer Project 2026, ‘Yet Another Lunchtime at the Opera’ in the National Concert Hall and performing in the Charles Wood International Song Competition Final.
Carl Roewer
Bassoon
Carl Roewer is pursuing his bachelor’s degree with Prof. Henrik Rabien at the HfM Freiburg, following earlier studies at the MTU Cork School of Music.
Carl has made his Concerto debut with the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland in 2022, later appearing with the 1885 Orchestra in London. He was featured as a rising star at the Killaloe Music Festival in 2024 and as Young Artist at the Malvern Concert Club in 2025.
He has held principal positions with several youth orchestras and performs regularly with many ensembles across the south of Germany. In Freiburg, he studies contrabassoon and baroque bassoon. In 2025, he became a member of the newly formed Kammerorchester Freiburg.
THE AWARDS
THE TRENCH AWARD
The Trench Award is our top bursary, named in honour of Julia & Patrick Trench and kindly supported by the JVM Trench Will Trust.
Winners
2025 Shane Quinn | Viola
2024 Jayden Lamcellari | Cello
2023 Julieanne Forrest | Violin
2022 Martina Rosaria O'Connell | Flute
2021 Aoibhin Keogh Daly | Cello
2020 Ben Gannon | Oboe
2019 Aidan Chan | Piano
2018 Philip Keegan | Tenor
2017 Richard Thomas | Violin
2016 Sarah Brady | Soprano
2015 Carolyn Holt | Mezzo Soprano
2014 Heather Fogarty | Mezzo Soprano
BIRR LIONS CLUB BURSARY
This award is named in recognition of Birr Lions Club's ongoing support of Birr Festival of Music. They have generously supported numerous community, education and cultural organisations in Birr since establishment in 1974.
Winners
2025 Cerys MacAllister | Soprano
2024 Erinn Lennon | Trumpet
2023 Deirdre Higgins | Soprano
2022 Aimee Banks | Soprano
2021 Maria Matthews | Soprano
2020 Jessica Hackett | Soprano
2019 Leah Redmond | Soprano
2018 Ben Gannon | Oboe
2017 Kevin Neville | Baritone
2016 Rachel Goode | Soprano
THE CONNOLLY AWARD
This new award will be presented for five years to a singer in The Trench Award, starting in 2025.
Presented by Brian Connolly and family in memory of Mary and Eamonn Connolly who shared a lifelong love of music and singing and who contributed to music in Birr through their membership of St. Brendan's Church Choir, Birr Choral Society and Birr Stage Guild over many years.
Birr Festival of Music greatly appreciates the presentation of this award by the Connolly family - Brian, Noelle and Trish.
2025 Aimee Banks Soprano
THE LUMCLOON ENERGY AWARD
This new award will be presented for five years to an instrumentalist in The Trench Award, starting in 2025.
Lumcloon Energy is a leading developer and long-term operator of energy storage and grid stability solutions, playing a vital role in supporting the reliability and efficiency of Ireland’s electricity grid—particularly as the country advances its shift to renewable energy.
2025 Laoise McMullin | Piano
CANTO AL SERCHIO PRIZE
Awarded to a singer in the Trench Award, this is a residency at the Summer Opera Academy in Tuscany of renowned baritone Bruno Caproni and pianist Julian Evans.
The recipient joins a small group of international singers for vocal coaching, Italian lessons and performance opportunities, visiting Puccini's birthplace in nearby Lucca and generally immersing themselves in Italian culture.
Winners
2025 Deirdre Arratoon | Mezzo-Soprano
2024 Eva Kavanagh | Soprano
2024 Laura Ahearne | Soprano
2023 Caroline Behan | Soprano
2023 Anna-Helena McLachlan | Mezzo-Soprano
2022 Niamh St John | Soprano
2021 David Kennedy | Tenor
2020 Sarah Luttrell | Mezzo Soprano
2019 Dylan Rooney | Baritone
2018 Philip Keegan | Tenor
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
Sponsored annually by Birr Stage Guild.
The recipient of this prize is selected by the audience voting for their favourite performance of the night. Since its establishment in 1958, Birr Stage Guild has presented a wide diversity of theatrical activity, with plays, pantomimes, musicals, concerts, and variety shows. As an organisation which fosters talent and encourages artistic endeavours, Birr Stage Guild is proud to sponsor the Audience Choice Award at Birr Festival of Music.
MUSICAL FUTURES
A bursary awarded to a Midlands student entering full-time music studies in the classical field.
Winners
2024 Lucia Murphy | Violin
2022 Catherine Cotter | Cello
2020 Aoibhin Keogh Daly | Cello
2019 David Kennedy | Tenor
2018 Dylan Rooney | Baritone
2017 Mollie Wrafter | Violin
PREVIOUS AWARDS
ADJUDICATORS' SPECIAL AWARD
This was awarded in 2025 for Outstanding Performance of a Piece during The Trench Award Gala Concert.
2025 Catherine Cotter | Cello
THE AUDREY CHISHOLM AWARD
In memory of the late Audrey Chisholm, concert pianist and hugely popular teacher for many years at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin. Audrey grew up on Oxmantown Mall, Birr. Her father, William, was head forrester at Birr Castle, her mother, Ciss, taught piano and gave Audrey her first lesson.
This was awarded to an instrumentalist and funded from Audrey's estate by her brother Danvers and curated by Linda O'Shea Farren from 2020-2024.
Winners
2024 Johanna Dietz | Piano
2023 Adam Buttimer | Tuba
2022 JJ McNamara | Piano
2021 David Vesey | Piano
2020 Peter Regan | Piano
ABOUT JULIA & PATRICK TRENCH
The late Julia & Patrick Trench were noted for their musical evenings at Sopwell Hall, Ballingarry in North Tipperary. Patrick played flute, harp and organ, Julia played piano and organ. Music was the bonding glue in Patrick’s marriage with Julia who, even in wartime, travelled weekly to London to enjoy the opera season. Julia Trench, who died in 2007, designated that the residue of her estate be used to create a Trust Fund to support educational, cultural, religious and community projects.
Thus, the JVM Trench Trust was established and has since been supporting appropriate projects, mainly in the Midlands of Ireland. Julia Trench was one of the many generous benefactors involved in the establishment of Birr Theatre & Arts Centre in the mid-1990s.