The Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) marks 30 years in Limerick with a landmark concert on Saturday 18thOctober at University Concert Hall, a night full of energy, passion, and celebration.
Irish Chamber Orchestra is a vibrant world-renowned ambassador for music, celebrated for its performances, recordings, its dedication to teaching, and its role in shaping the next generation of musicians.
As educators, the ICO is deeply rooted on the University of Limerick campus, where it co-runs the acclaimed MA Classical Strings Performance programme, attracting exceptional students from across the globe. Closer to home, the orchestra’s school’s initiative, ICO Schools, provides free music education to hundreds of children in Limerick, a programme so successful it led to the creation of ICO Youth, ICO’s own thriving youth ensemble.
For the first time ever, ICO Youth will share the stage with the Irish Chamber Orchestra at University Concert Hall, Limerick. Fresh from a triumphant performance in Vienna’s Golden Hall, where they won three awards at the World Orchestra Festival, these young musicians join their mentors for vibrant works by Henning Kraggerud, Astor Piazzolla, and Sam Perkin.
The concert honours the legacy of Micheál Ó Súilleabháin, whose vision brought the ICO to Limerick three decades ago. His playful and witty Must Be More Crispy bursts into life with guest stars Mel Mercier (percussion) and Niall Vallely (concertina). Under the direction of Henning Kraggerud, ICO revel in the romantic warmth of Atterberg’s Suite No. 3 before unleashing the stormy brilliance of Grieg’s String Quartet in G minor, to a thrilling orchestral blaze.
More than a concert, this is a milestone: celebrating three decades of performance, education, and innovation in Limerick, while looking ahead to a bold new chapter. Support Irish Chamber Orchestra on Saturday 18 October at University Concert Hall, Limerick. Tickets from €5.
Based at the University of Limerick, the ICO brings its music to audiences nationwide and beyond, thanks to the generous support of the Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
