Owen Gilhooly - Tenor/Director
© Frances Marshall Photography
Owen Gilhooly studied with Jean Holmes at the Limerick School of Music and subsequently at the Royal College of Music and National Opera Studio. He made his Royal Opera House debut singing Faure Requiem for the Royal Ballet and represented Ireland at the 2007 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. He is currently pursing doctoral studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where he was recently appointed to the vocal faculty.
He has appeared in principal roles with Opera Ireland, Opera Theatre Company, English Touring Opera, Lyric Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera North, The Opera Group and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He has made frequent appearances at Wexford Festival Opera, Lismore Music Festival, Buxton Festival Opera, Les Azuriales Opera & Musikverkstatt Wien.
In concert he has appeared with the RTÉ NSO, IBO, Irish Chamber and Ulster Orchestras, the Bournemouth and Tokyo Symphony Orchestras, the Royal Liverpool and London Philharmonic Orchestras as well as the BBC Symphony Orchestra including Bill Bobstay (HMS Pinafore) and Janacek's Osud at the BBC Proms.
In 2014 made his debut for the Royal Opera, Covent Garden singing the role of Robert in the world premiere of Luke Bedford’s ‘Through his Teeth’
Having had a successful career as a high baritone, Owen’s voice has now moved into the tenor range with focus on lyric repertoire such as Macduff (Macbeth), Don Jose (Carmen), Lensky (Eugene Onegin), Cavarasdossi (Tosca).
Recent and future plans include Jenkins The Armed Man RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Mozart Requiem Culwick Choral Society, Lensky Eugene Onegin, A Nations Song 1916-2016, Military Bands of the Defence Forces, Gaston La Traviata, Britten St Nicholas with Tallaght Choral Society, A Recital of Dvorak and Brahms Lieder with Irish Songmakers at the NCH in 2018 as well the world premiere production of the new opera The Nightingale and the Rose.
www.owengilhooly.com
www.riam.ie/owen-gilhooly/
Helen Houlihan - Soprano
Helen has enjoyed a busy career in the singing world performing regularly in concert, recital, opera and oratorio. On the concert and recital platform has performed at several of the leading Arts Festivals most notably at Belfast Festival at Queens, Galway arts festival, the Fortune theatre London, the National Concert Hall, the Bank of Ireland concert series, and John field room recital series.
She has worked with Opera Ireland, Wexford Opera, and Opera Theatre Company, and in London at the Holland Park Opera Festival. Helen has been a guest soloist with the RTE Concert orchestra on a number of occasions, both in live performance and in studio broadcast. She recorded the sound track for the Frank McGuiness play “The Carthaginians”, and has appeared as a guest soloist on several live television shows.
Helen has trained with Jean Holmes in Limerick, and in London with Paul Hamburger, James Lockhart, and David Harper.
Louise Harrison - Mezzo - Soprano
Louise studied with Jean Holmes and Dr Veronica Dunne. She graduated with distinction in vocal performance from Trinity College London (A.T.C.L and L.T.C.L), has a Masters in Ethnomusicology and a BA in Music and English. While studying, Louise worked as a Bunratty Castle Entertainer, set up her own wedding business as a ceremony soloist throughout Ireland, recorded and toured the USA, Europe, the UK and Ireland with Anúna.
Since receiving an MA in Journalism, she now combines writing as a freelance Journalist with teaching voice in Mary Immaculate College ,The Redemptorist Centre of Music & the MWVA.
Peter O' Donohue - Tenor
Tenor Peter O’Donohue hails from Fanore, Co. Clare. He began his singing career at the age of ten with singing teacher Archie Simpson. In 2005, Peter moved to Dublin where he completed a Bachelor of Music (Performance) Degree at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama with teacher Mary Brennan and Stephen Wallace. Peter is now continuing his studies in London with teacher Robert Dean. He is a free-lance classical singer performing regularly throughout the country.
Peter has performed with nearly every major opera company in Ireland, Wexford Opera, Opera Ireland, Wide Open Opera, Lyric Opera, Opera Theatre Company and Northern Ireland Opera.
He has performed as the tenor solo in oratorios such as Puccini’s ‘Messa di Gloria’, Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’, Mozart’s ‘Mass in C’ and ‘Requiem’ and Handel’s ‘Messiah’.
Peter’s opera performances include chorus in Salome, L'elisir D'amore, Tristan und Isolde, Faust, Turandot, Madame Butterfly, Dead Man Walking, Lucia Di Lammermoor, Marriage of Figaro, Il Trovatore, Don Giovanni, Macbeth, Koanga, La Pre aux Clercs, Maria de Rudenz, Herculanum, Vanessa and Alma Fetish by Irish composer Raymond Dean. He also performed in the award winning Opera Silent Night by Kevin Puts at the Wexford Opera Festival.
Peter has performed roles such as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Pluto in Orpheus in the Underworld, Guy in The Green Children, Parpignol in La Bohёme, St. Brioche in The Merry Widow, Yamadoiri/Official Registrar in Madam Butterfly and Pastore III/Spiriti II in L’Orfeo. Peter also was part of the Ensemble for the Wexford Opera Festival for the short work La Cenerentola.
He was also a soloist in the recent world premier Short work opera 'The Dubliners’ by Andrew Sinnott, with the international award-winning Wexford Opera Festival.
Peter has a great fasination with the voice and teaches individual pupils in Galway, Limerick and Clare.
He is also extending his conducting skills and has just become the Musical Director for the Hein Ensemble located in Galway.
Peter has performed with nearly every major opera company in Ireland, Wexford Opera, Opera Ireland, Wide Open Opera, Lyric Opera, Opera Theatre Company and Northern Ireland Opera.
He has performed as the tenor solo in oratorios such as Puccini’s ‘Messa di Gloria’, Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’, Mozart’s ‘Mass in C’ and ‘Requiem’ and Handel’s ‘Messiah’.
Peter’s opera performances include chorus in Salome, L'elisir D'amore, Tristan und Isolde, Faust, Turandot, Madame Butterfly, Dead Man Walking, Lucia Di Lammermoor, Marriage of Figaro, Il Trovatore, Don Giovanni, Macbeth, Koanga, La Pre aux Clercs, Maria de Rudenz, Herculanum, Vanessa and Alma Fetish by Irish composer Raymond Dean. He also performed in the award winning Opera Silent Night by Kevin Puts at the Wexford Opera Festival.
Peter has performed roles such as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Pluto in Orpheus in the Underworld, Guy in The Green Children, Parpignol in La Bohёme, St. Brioche in The Merry Widow, Yamadoiri/Official Registrar in Madam Butterfly and Pastore III/Spiriti II in L’Orfeo. Peter also was part of the Ensemble for the Wexford Opera Festival for the short work La Cenerentola.
He was also a soloist in the recent world premier Short work opera 'The Dubliners’ by Andrew Sinnott, with the international award-winning Wexford Opera Festival.
Peter has a great fasination with the voice and teaches individual pupils in Galway, Limerick and Clare.
He is also extending his conducting skills and has just become the Musical Director for the Hein Ensemble located in Galway.
Irina Dernova - Piano /Accompanist
Irina Dernova graduated in Russia as a pianist and accompanist. Since she came to Ireland in 2006 she has been the organist in St.Nicholas church (Adare) and in St. Michael's church (Limerick). Being an organ scholar at St.Mary's Cathedral, she studies with Trevor Selby at the Limerick School of Music. Irina enjoys performing as solo pianist, organist and accompanist and also teaches piano in Maoin Cheoil an Chlair (Ennis) and privately.
Meagan Haughian - Piano, Guitar, Flute, Whistle, Uileann Pipes, Cór Gaelach
Meaghan Haughian is a flute player, piper, singer, and multi-instrumentalist from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
After receiving Bachelor of Music (Music Education) and Bachelor of Education degrees in 2011, she taught band, choir, and guitar in the Saskatchewan school system.
She has also been involved in Irish music, singing in both English and Irish and playing flute, whistle, and uilleann pipes.
In 2018 she received her MA in Ethnomusicology from the University of Limerick, and as part of her thesis she directed the cór Gaelach (Irish language choir) “Cór Cois Sionna” while studying the uilleann pipes and participating in as many sessions as possible. She currently teaches music in Limerick and Clare.
Meaghan Haughian is a flute player, piper, singer, and multi-instrumentalist from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
After receiving Bachelor of Music (Music Education) and Bachelor of Education degrees in 2011, she taught band, choir, and guitar in the Saskatchewan school system.
She has also been involved in Irish music, singing in both English and Irish and playing flute, whistle, and uilleann pipes.
In 2018 she received her MA in Ethnomusicology from the University of Limerick, and as part of her thesis she directed the cór Gaelach (Irish language choir) “Cór Cois Sionna” while studying the uilleann pipes and participating in as many sessions as possible. She currently teaches music in Limerick and Clare.
Michelle O Connor - Violin, Viola, Fiddle, Voice
Currently based in Limerick, Ireland, Michelle L O’Connor (Levy)
has been performing on and exploring the possibilities of bowed string instruments for over 27 years. Ms. O’Connor studied medieval vielle with Shira Kammen, earned a Masters in Ritual Chant & Song from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (University of Limerick), and studied music at Brown University. She has performed internationally with an eclectic variety of ensembles, including Jordi Savall & Hespèrion XXI, Keltia Productions, and The Boston Camerata, and Class V Music, an ensemble dedicated to creating music on whitewater rafting trips. She’s been a featured performer at the Vancouver Early Music Festival (2013) with Sequentia & The Elaine Adair Ensemble as well as at the Connecticut Early Music Festival (2010) with Istanpitta Early Music Ensemble, and at the New England Folk Festival2013 (NEFFA) with her folk dance band, TriTonic. In Ireland, she performs with the Limerick Philharmonic Orchestra, the University of Limerick Orchestra, and teaches violin and viola at Redemptorist Centre of Music. During the summer, she enjoys playing fiddle for American contra dance and English country dance camps in the United States.
TEACHING
Michelle is certified in both the Mark O’Connor String Method and the Orff-Shulwerk approach to teaching music. Specializing in Early Music, folk fiddle styles, and improvisation, she nurtures creative string players with solid technique.
has been performing on and exploring the possibilities of bowed string instruments for over 27 years. Ms. O’Connor studied medieval vielle with Shira Kammen, earned a Masters in Ritual Chant & Song from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (University of Limerick), and studied music at Brown University. She has performed internationally with an eclectic variety of ensembles, including Jordi Savall & Hespèrion XXI, Keltia Productions, and The Boston Camerata, and Class V Music, an ensemble dedicated to creating music on whitewater rafting trips. She’s been a featured performer at the Vancouver Early Music Festival (2013) with Sequentia & The Elaine Adair Ensemble as well as at the Connecticut Early Music Festival (2010) with Istanpitta Early Music Ensemble, and at the New England Folk Festival2013 (NEFFA) with her folk dance band, TriTonic. In Ireland, she performs with the Limerick Philharmonic Orchestra, the University of Limerick Orchestra, and teaches violin and viola at Redemptorist Centre of Music. During the summer, she enjoys playing fiddle for American contra dance and English country dance camps in the United States.
TEACHING
Michelle is certified in both the Mark O’Connor String Method and the Orff-Shulwerk approach to teaching music. Specializing in Early Music, folk fiddle styles, and improvisation, she nurtures creative string players with solid technique.
Patricia Vaughan - Violin
Details coming soon
Pat Byrne - Guitar / Electric Guitar/ Bass
Pat Byrne is a Multi-Instrumentalist from Limerick.
He holds an ALCM in both Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar,
Rockschool London Grade 8 in both Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar.
Pat started touring at the age of 17 and has recorded and toured with a multitude of national and international acts over the years as well as appearances in various esteemed publications such as Bass Guitar Magazine (UK), Hot Press (IRE), and Total Guitar (UK). Pat is also an endorser of Warwick Basses and Amplifiers.
Wind Department
Niamh Irwin - Flute, Recorder, Piano / Accompanist
Niamh Irwin is an accomplished flute, recorder and piano player. She has competed at local Feile Luimni competitions and Feis Ceoil, as well as completing ABRSM exams in her chosen instruments and theory, and most recently diplomas in big performance and teaching. Locally Niamh is a member of the University of Limerick Orchestra and Mary Immaculate College Choral society, as well as being the choir director of the Monaleen Parish choir.
Niamh is a final year music student in Mary Immaculate College, and has recently undertaken study abroad placements in both San Antonio, Texas and Clermont-Ferrand , France. Over the past year Niamh has taken part in many orchestras and choirs internationally which include the UIW chorale and cardinal singers, UIW orchestra, Orchestre d’Harmonie Clermont Ferrand and BISYOC.
Niamh is a final year music student in Mary Immaculate College, and has recently undertaken study abroad placements in both San Antonio, Texas and Clermont-Ferrand , France. Over the past year Niamh has taken part in many orchestras and choirs internationally which include the UIW chorale and cardinal singers, UIW orchestra, Orchestre d’Harmonie Clermont Ferrand and BISYOC.
Harp Department
Fiana hails from Castleconnell, Co Limerick. She comes from a family which has been involved in Irish music for three generations and was reared in a household immersed in the Irish music tradition. Her grandmother was an instrument maker and her aunts include two all-Ireland winning harpists and an all-Ireland winning concertina player.
She began learning the piano when she was 8 years old and progressed to the harp 2 years later, after her grandmother Rita decided that she would like another harp player in the family. Fiana started learning the harp at Limerick school of music in 2000 from the renowned harper Dr. Janet Harbison and later continued lessons with her in the Irish Harp Centre when it was opened in 2002.
Fiana became heavily involved with Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann at the age of 15, where she competed through the years, right up to senior level. Her achievements include numerous All-Ireland medals as well as achieving first place in the Harp Slow Airs competition in 2012. Fiana has won numerous prizes at local harp festivals, including those in Keadue and Granard and the senior title at the O’Carolan Harp festival in Nobber, Co. Meath in 2009.
Her own students are now beginning to gain recognition through competition which includes the winning of All-Ireland medals at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann as well as other local competitions. She has also given workshops both in Ireland and abroad. These include workshops for the Blossom Harp School, based between Co. Clare and Co. Galway, The Transpennine Harps society and Glasgow Harp society which are both branches of the Clársach Society.
Fiana completed her BA in Irish Music and Dance in 2012 with a First Class Honours degree at the University of Limerick. She went onto graduate from Newcastle University, UK with an Mmus in Musicology in 2013. During her studies she has had the opportunity to learn from a number of renowned teachers such as Holly Geraghty, Michelle Mulcahy, Gráinne Hambly, Laoíse Kelly, Cormac de Barra, Michael Rooney, Rachel Hair and Máire Ní Chathasaigh to name but a few.
Fiana has toured extensively in countries such as Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Cyprus and the USA as a member of the Irish Harp Orchestra. As well as giving solo concert performances, she has also collaborated with flautist Matthew Dean on whose solo album “Trasna Na Farraige” she featured. Highlights of her career to date include performing for former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, The Emperor and Empress of Japan and other state officials and dignitaries as well as performing in front of 50,000 people as part of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Trafalgar Square in London in 2014.
“Fiana completed the Comhaltas TTCT teaching Diploma in 2014 as well as their Adjudicators training course. She continues to teach and perform; bringing this wealth of experience of the tradition to her own students and audiences alike while pursuing a PhD at the University of Limerick in Music and Tourism.
Aisling Lyons - Harp and Concertina
Aisling was born and reared near Newmarket on Fergus in County Clare. From an early age, she had a fond interest in Traditional Irish Music, having come from a family steeped in Irish music and culture. John Lyons, her Father is a renowned traditional singer, brother of Tim Lyons, a great songwriter and singer, both hailing originally from County Cork. Likewise her Mother, Ann Lynch Lyons, who released her debut album a few year ago, on which Aisling features (Silvery Light, 2013).
Aisling began playing the harp at 7, then began learning the concertina at age 9. She has had some of the finest tuition this country has to offer; Noel Hill, Mary McNamara, Fionnuala Rooney to name but a few. She is now a competant performer and plays with her family, friends and individually around the country and abroad. The Lyons Family performed at The Sidmouth Folk Festival in 2013, Whitby Folk Festival 2014 & Whitby Folk Festival 2015.
Aisling recently travelled to Yass, Sydney & Canberra, Australia where she taught masterclasses and performed at The Turning Wave Festival. (2015). Aisling and her brother Sean (Uilleann Pipes), played for the Irish Ambassador in Canberra at The Irish Embassy & also at Floriade Spring Festival in Canberra for The National Folk Festival.
Aisling is the holder of 5 All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil harp titles, an All-Ireland Céilí Band title with a junior Tulla Céilí Band, whom she played the drums with, a Grúpa Ceoil title with The Burren Group under the leadership of Garry Shannon, and is the All Ireland concertina champion under18. (2014)
Some of the recordings she features on include John & Tim Lyons album, 'Easy & Bold' (2012), 'Silvery Light' (2013) & a compilation album of East Clare Young Musicians, 'Unfolding' (2014). Aisling released her debut 5 track EP (extended play) in August 2015, where it was greatly received in the UK & AUS. It is available through Custy's Music Shop, Ennis, Co.Clare. (www.custysmusic.com)
Aisling hosts an open-to-all-ages, welcoming session in Dolans Bar in Limerick City every Monday night form 7.30pm to 9.15pm. This session allows musicians, singers and dancers of all ages to participate at their own level. See www.dolans.ie/traditional-irish-music/ for details.
Aisling is currently studying for her BA in Irish Traditional Music & Dance at The Irish World Academy of Music & Dance at The University of Limerick.
www.aislinglyonsmusic.com
Aisling was born and reared near Newmarket on Fergus in County Clare. From an early age, she had a fond interest in Traditional Irish Music, having come from a family steeped in Irish music and culture. John Lyons, her Father is a renowned traditional singer, brother of Tim Lyons, a great songwriter and singer, both hailing originally from County Cork. Likewise her Mother, Ann Lynch Lyons, who released her debut album a few year ago, on which Aisling features (Silvery Light, 2013).
Aisling began playing the harp at 7, then began learning the concertina at age 9. She has had some of the finest tuition this country has to offer; Noel Hill, Mary McNamara, Fionnuala Rooney to name but a few. She is now a competant performer and plays with her family, friends and individually around the country and abroad. The Lyons Family performed at The Sidmouth Folk Festival in 2013, Whitby Folk Festival 2014 & Whitby Folk Festival 2015.
Aisling recently travelled to Yass, Sydney & Canberra, Australia where she taught masterclasses and performed at The Turning Wave Festival. (2015). Aisling and her brother Sean (Uilleann Pipes), played for the Irish Ambassador in Canberra at The Irish Embassy & also at Floriade Spring Festival in Canberra for The National Folk Festival.
Aisling is the holder of 5 All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil harp titles, an All-Ireland Céilí Band title with a junior Tulla Céilí Band, whom she played the drums with, a Grúpa Ceoil title with The Burren Group under the leadership of Garry Shannon, and is the All Ireland concertina champion under18. (2014)
Some of the recordings she features on include John & Tim Lyons album, 'Easy & Bold' (2012), 'Silvery Light' (2013) & a compilation album of East Clare Young Musicians, 'Unfolding' (2014). Aisling released her debut 5 track EP (extended play) in August 2015, where it was greatly received in the UK & AUS. It is available through Custy's Music Shop, Ennis, Co.Clare. (www.custysmusic.com)
Aisling hosts an open-to-all-ages, welcoming session in Dolans Bar in Limerick City every Monday night form 7.30pm to 9.15pm. This session allows musicians, singers and dancers of all ages to participate at their own level. See www.dolans.ie/traditional-irish-music/ for details.
Aisling is currently studying for her BA in Irish Traditional Music & Dance at The Irish World Academy of Music & Dance at The University of Limerick.
www.aislinglyonsmusic.com
