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 TRENCH AWARD 2026
APPLICATIONS OPEN
Deadline: Thursday 19 February, 3pm
Applications are invited from emerging singers and instrumentalists who are pursuing a career in professional performance in classical music.
The Trench Award aims to assist an emerging singer or instrumentalist in developing their professional career through further study at home or abroad. The bursary will be awarded to a student attending, or having been offered a confirmed place at a University/Conservatoire/Young Artist Programme/other specialist music institute undertaking classical music studies, either instrumental or vocal, in pursuit of a career in professional performance.
Six finalists will be invited to attend Birr Festival of Music from
Friday 1 May - Monday 4 May 2026, and to perform a 15-minute programme at The Trench Award Gala Concert at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly on Sunday 3 May 2026 when The Trench Award and other bursaries will be awarded by an international selection panel.
​
ELIGIBILITY
Please read the conditions carefully.
Applications not meeting the criteria below will not be considered.
​
-
Applicants must be from the general Midlands/Mid-west region of Ireland.
-
While there is no upper age limit, applicants should be enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme in Music Performance, participating in a Young Artist Programme, or less than two years of completing their studies.
-
As the purpose and priorities of the award is to help artists develop their craft, applicants should not be undertaking a significant level of professional work and should be very clearly identifiable as ‘emerging’ artists.
-
Previous winners of The Trench Award may not apply.
​
​
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants are requested to complete the Application Form below and return it with video recordings (MP4) of two contrasting pieces and a high-resolution headshot (at least 1MB) to thetrenchaward@gmail.com by Thursday 19 February 2026, 3pm.​
​
Please make sure to read all the information included in the Application Form before beginning your application.
​
For any queries, please email thetrenchaward@gmail.com
​​​
​The Trench Award 2026 Application Form
​​​
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.