The Trench Award
Now entering 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 region. Each year, we invite applications 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.
In 2025, six finalists were invited to attend Birr Festival of Music from Friday 2 May - Monday 5 May and to perform a 15-minute programme at The Trench Award Gala Concert at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly on Sunday 4 May when The Trench Award and other bursaries were 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
THE 2025 FINALISTS
AIMEE BANKS
Soprano
Aimee graduated with First Class Honours from the Bachelors of Music Performance under the tutelage of Kathleen Tynan and répétiteurs Grainne Dunne and Dearbhla Collins at The Royal Irish Academy of Music. Aimee is looking forward to starting at the Royal College of Music London in September 2025 on their Master of Performance Programme as an RCM Scholar.
An award-winning vocalist, Aimee was the winner of the Junior Class of the Charles Wood International Song competition 2023, The Irene Sandford Award and Bursary 2022 and is a multi-award winner at Feis Ceoil.
Performance highlights include Ann Murray's Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Concert Hall, University Concert Hall Limerick Rising Stars Concert, Music for Galway recital series and Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Recital 'Classics at Christmas'. In 2024 she performed the titular role of Cendrillon by Pauline Viardot in March with RIAM Opera.
CATHERINE COTTER
Cello
Catherine currently studies at the Royal College of Music (RCM) with Amanda Truelove.
She is a multiple prizewinner in the ESB Feis Ceoil, and has performed as a soloist in numerous prestigious locations in Ireland and abroad, including the American Irish Historical Society in New York and the National Concert Hall, Dublin. She was named the inaugural “Cellissimo'' Ambassador for Music for Galway in September 2021 and played for three years on the “Galway Cello ''- an instrument which was commissioned for the festival and features a beautiful, unique Claddagh design on the scroll.
Prior to beginning her studies at the RCM, she was a student of Aisling Drury Byrne and Christopher Marwood at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where she was awarded both the Stephen Vernon Bursary and first place in the Dublin Philharmonic Junior Solo Competition.
She is the former principal cellist of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. She has performed in numerous masterclasses both at home and abroad with celebrated cellists such as Hannah Roberts, Marc Coppey, Laura Van der Heijden, Adrian Brendel and Denis Brott.
LAOISE MCMULLIN
Piano
Laoise is a pianist, harpsichordist and composer who recently graduated from her Master’s Degree in Music Performance and Composition in the Royal Irish Academy of Music, achieving a Distinction result.
With a particular passion for early music, she performs regularly as a solo and chamber musician, equally comfortable at the piano and the harpsichord. She also enjoys performing music from the 20th century and contemporary repertoire, which inspires her work as a composer.
She has had works commissioned by the National Gallery of Ireland and Matheson LLC. Recent performances include a solo lunchtime recital as part of the Music for Galway Irish Connections programme in February 2025, Laoise’s concerto debut with the City of Dublin Chamber Orchestra conducted by Gavin Moloney in November 2024, a chamber music recital in the West Cork Chamber Music Festival 2024 and performances in Hatchlands Park, Surrey and the Royal College of Music, London in May 2024.
CERYS MACALLISTER
Soprano
Cerys graduated from the Royal Irish Academy of Music with a BA in Music performance (First-Class Honours) in 2021 and an MA (Distinction) in 2023. There, she was a part of a select few to join the preparatory opera course and one of the elite few in ‘Song Circle’.
She was selected as a Leeds Lieder Young artist in 2024. She has been a finalist for the Veronica Dunne Bursary, at The Glenarm Festival of Voice and in the Gerwase Elwes Memorial Cup at Feis Ceoil. Also at Feis Ceoil, she has won first prize in The Nancy Calthorpe Cup, Plunket Greene Cup and Vincent O’Brien Memorial Cup and a Silver Medal in The Soprano Solo Competition. She has also won the song prize in RIAM’S Irene Sandford competition.
Cerys participated in numerous operas at RIAM such as Stephen McNeff’s ‘Banished’, Francesca Caccini’s La Liberazione di Ruggiero, the international debut of Kevin O’Connell’s DreamCatchr and also covered the role of Barbarina in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro and performed as 1st bridesmaid. She recently made her professional debut as The Dew Fairy in Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel for HGO.
SHANE QUINN
Viola
Shane is currently in his final year at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He studies viola with Robin Panter and violin with Sarah Sew. As violist of the Sonic Quartet, Shane has performed at festivals and concert series including the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series in Chicago, West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Belfast Music Society International Festival of Chamber Music and Westport Festival of Chamber Music. He has enjoyed participating in masterclasses with the Pavel Haas, Chiaroscuro, Belcea, Endellion, Schumann and Signum Quartets.
Shane has performed in side-by-side projects with a variety of orchestras including the New World Symphony (Miami), National Symphony Orchestra (Ireland), Ensemble Modern and the Irish Baroque Orchestra. Shane was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and Dublin Youth Orchestra for many years and this year will be a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra.
DEIRDRE ARRATOON
Mezzo-Soprano
Deirdre is known for her voice that is ‘rich, velvety and full of expression’ and performs regularly in both the UK and Ireland.
She joined Glyndebourne Opera chorus for their 2017 festival and tour and made her main stage debut at Wexford Festival Opera in 2022 as Fairy in Alma Deutscher’s Cinderella.
Another highlight of 2022 was performing the mezzo-soprano solos in Verdi’s Requiem at Arundel Cathedral, West Sussex. Recent operatic roles include contracts with Opera South East, UK singing the title role in Bizet’s Carmen, The Grange Festival as chorus and cover for the role of Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte and Opera Collective Ireland’s national tour, as ‘Older Woman’ in Jonathan Dove’s Flight.
On the concert platform Deirdre has recently performed with West Philharmonic Choir Mozart Coronation Mass and DvoÅ™ák’s Mass in D major and Mozart’s Requiem with Battle Choral Society. In October, she performed the alto solos in Bach’s b minor Mass at Arun Choral Society and Sinfonia at Arundel Cathedral.
THE AWARDS
THE TRENCH AWARD
The Trench Award is our top bursary, named in honour of Julia & Patrick Trench.
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
OTHER 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.