Ahead of their landmark headline concert at glór, Ennis, on 23 May 2026, the Irish Concertina Orchestra unveil Aboard the West Clare – a sweeping new composition by internationally celebrated Riverdance composer Bill Whelan.
The release marks the final instalment in a series of collaborative singles issued in the lead-up to the concert. Following Éalú featuring NOTIFY, Cormac McCarthy and the MGCE Concert Orchestra with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, and Lovely Anne featuring acclaimed singer Piaras Ó Lorcáin alongside NOTIFY, Aboard the West Clare brings the ambitious project to a powerful close.
Aboard the West Clare is a vibrant and cinematic composition by Bill Whelan written especially for the Irish Concertina Orchestra. Inspired by the historic West Clare Railway and the spirit of travel along Ireland’s Atlantic coast, the piece captures a sense of motion, landscape, and musical energy, blending orchestral colour with the distinctive voice of the concertina. Whelan’s composition brings together traditional Irish musical sensibilities with his signature sweeping orchestral style, creating a work that feels rooted in tradition and expansive in scope.
Arranged by Bill Whelan and Cormac McCarthy, the recording was captured at the world-famous Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin in the late summer of 2025. The performance brings together the Irish Concertina Orchestra with NOTIFY (Pádraig Rynne, Tara Breen, Adam Taylor, Hugh Dillon, Rory McCarthy, and Davie Ryan) and the MGCE Concert Orchestra, under the baton of Cormac McCarthy.
Produced by Brian Whelan, Alex Borwick and Pádraig Rynne, the recording stands as a landmark collaboration between some of Ireland’s leading traditional and orchestral musicians and a new generation of young concertina players.
“Being part of the Irish Concertina orchestra and visiting the recording studio was such an amazing experience. It gave me the chance to learn new musical skills and improve my confidence and ability. I enjoyed working with the amazing teachers and other musicians who share the same interest in music and creativity. The environment was supportive and motivating, which made learning even more fun. Overall, it was a memorable experience that helped me grow both musically and personally.” Caoilinn Morrow — Student of the Irish Concertina Orchestra
Reflecting on the collaboration, producer and musical director Pádraig Rynne described the project as a deeply meaningful creative journey:
“When we began developing this project, I approached Bill Whelan with the idea of writing a suite for the Irish Concertina Orchestra, where he would have the extraordinary palette of forty concertinas, the band NOTIFY, Cormac McCarthy and the MGCE Concert Orchestra at his disposal. Bill is one of my favourite composers and producers. From his own body of work in Riverdance, and through recordings like Eastwind and Planxty’s Words and Music, his music had a huge influence on me as I was finding my own voice as a composer. It was a real privilege to work with him on this piece.
When Cormac McCarthy came on board to arrange the work with Bill, it brought another important dimension to the project. As a former member of NOTIFY, Cormac has a deep understanding of the band’s musical language, which helped them shape the arrangement so that the sounds of NOTIFY, the MGCE Concert Orchestra and the Irish Concertina Orchestra could sit naturally together. Cormac also worked closely with the young musicians of the Irish Concertina Orchestra throughout the process, generously giving his time, experience and encouragement as they developed the music.
Aboard the West Clare takes the listener on a journey inspired by the historic West Clare Railway. The suite begins with the sound of concertina bellows evoking the steam engine slowly building momentum before the music sets off on its journey. Different sections of the piece reflect the rhythm and movement of the train as it travels through the landscape, from the driving pulse of the wheels on the track to more lyrical moments suggesting the scenery unfolding along the route.
Watching the young musicians of the Irish Concertina Orchestra working on this piece with Bill and Cormac was incredibly special. The work was first performed live in glór in May 2024, where the combination of NOTIFY, the MGCE Concert Orchestra and the Irish Concertina Orchestra brought the piece to life in front of an audience. After that performance, we felt it deserved to be captured in the studio.
In June 2025 we recorded the piece at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin. Hearing the students return to the work with the experience of the live performance behind them made the recording process very special, and it was a wonderful opportunity to document the collaboration. This experience will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”
— Pádraig Rynne, Music Generation Clare, NOTIFY and Producer