‘Aboard the West Clare’ 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
St Mary’s Cathedral, LimerickFriday 22nd May at 8pm The 3rd Annual LSOM Gala Concert is welcoming a very special guest, Grammy and Pulitzer-Prize winning artist Rhiannon Giddens to perform at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick City. The programme will also include a performance of the Linen and Lace Flute concerto by celebrated LSOM alumnus
World Premiere by Bill Whelan Carlingford Heritage Centre, Co. Louth Friday, Jan 30 @ 8pm World premiere of a new work for four Irish harps by Bill Whelan, with guest performances from leading festival artists. Féile na Tána Commission Concert – World Premiere A landmark moment for Féile na Tána 2026 — the world premiere
Bill talks to Newstalk’s Kieiran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder about the 1994 performance of Riverdance on the Eurovision stage. Listen here
Kilmore Quay Literary Festival 22-24 September 2023 Bill Whelan is joined by music writer Jackie Hayden and musicians Zoë Conway and John McIntyre for an incredible evening of music, story and song in St Peter’s Church, Co. Wexford. More details and tickets to the event here
St Nicholas Church, Lombard Street, Galway City Wednesday 19th July 2023 @ 6pm Grammy award-winning composer Bill Whelan treats classical and traditional worlds as equals in his world premiere composition performed by ConTempo Quartet and rising stars of Irish traditional arts, siblings Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta. Alongside this premiere, this atmospheric concert weaves a rich tapestry
Festival of Literature and Arts – Kells The Hinterland Festival takes place from 22nd – 25th June in the spiritual home of the Book of Kells in Co. Meath. This annual multi-disciplinary arts festival will welcome an array of stellar guests including Irish Fiction writers, Colm Toibin, Sebastian Barry, Anne Enright, Liz Nugent and Marion
The 11th edition of the Borris House Festival takes place from 16th – 18th June 2023 and will host 75 speakers in 60 events in a weekend of stimulating dialogue and discourse. Guests taking to the stage this year include, Ruby Wax, Adam Clayton, Claire Keegan, David Baddiel, Elaine Feeney and Richard Ford. On Friday
Dermot O’Leary on his BBC Podcast celebrating the golden age of Ireland’s Eurovision wins from 1980-1996. He talks to all the winners, Johnny Logan, Eimear Quinn, Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan, Linda Martin and Niamh Kavanagh plus other involved over the years such as Louis Walsh and Bill Whelan. Listen on BBC
An intimate portrait of Shay Healy – one of Ireland’s most beloved entertainers. A man of many talents and contradictions, his friends, colleagues and immediate family share his story with humour, love and searing honesty. Watch on RTÉ Player