The West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival returns from May 8–18, 2025, presenting its most ambitious program to date. Concerts will be hosted at a range of venues including Russborough House, St Mary’s Church, and the Tramway Theatre in Blessington, Co. Wicklow. The festival continues to champion education and outreach with school visits and events such as their eagerly awaited new family-friendly commission, Farmyard Carnival.

The festival opens on May 8 with a performance by violist Ruth Gibson and pianist Fiachra Garvey, featuring iconic works for viola and piano. The program includes the pioneering Wicklow composer Ina Boyle’s Phantasy alongside the mighty Clarke, Franck, and Kodály. Trio Isimsiz makes its Irish debut on May 9, offering Schubert’s beloved Piano Trio No. 1 and Beethoven’s Op. 70, No. 2, a groundbreaking exploration of instrumental expression.

On May 10, Rising Star Robert Finegan, a celebrated Irish saxophonist, headlines a lunchtime recital, Paris Chapters, blending poetry by Yeats, Wilde, and Joyce with Parisian music by Poulenc and Josephine Baker. The recital also features a new commission by Irish composer Gráinne Mulvey. That evening, United Strings of Europe will team up with juggling artists for a captivating “Spring Ascending” program of music and contemporary circus artistry.

The internationally acclaimed guitarist Sean Shibe performs on May 11, showcasing his artistic diversity with acoustic pieces by Bach and Fennessy, followed by electric guitar works by Reich and Monk. Later in the week, Cassiopeia Winds graces the stage on May 15, blending classical and modern works with a distinctive flair. Their program includes Guilfoyle’s jazz-inspired work and Trimble’s playful compositions.

On May 16, the renowned Quatuor Van Kuijk performs a Franco-German programme, culminating in Ravel’s string quartet masterpiece and Beethoven’s profound String Quartet No. 8. The Julian Bliss Septet on May 17 celebrates Hollywood’s music legacy with jazz-infused renditions of classics like As Time Goes By and Sing, Sing, Sing. Their lively program The Sound of Film – Music in Hollywood explores music from early silent films to Disney’s golden era.

One of the festival highlights, Farmyard Carnival, brings together poetry by award-winning poet Lucinda Jacob (winner of the 2023 Irish Children’s Book of the Year Award) and music by Paul Rissmann (British Composer Award recipient). Inspired by farm animals familiar to Irish and UK audiences, this commission aims to enrich the landscape of family-friendly repertoire and will have its world premiere in Wicklow. Artistic Director Fiachra Garvey describes the work as a “vital new addition to the currently very limited family friendly concert repertoire”.

The festival concludes on May 18 with GRAMMY-nominated ensemble VOCES8, who celebrate their 20th anniversary with a diverse a cappella program featuring Rachmaninov, Nat King Cole, and Enya. This grand finale highlights the group’s captivating vocal artistry and emotional connection with audiences.

The 2025 festival promises a rich tapestry of performances and innovative projects, celebrating both local and international talent while nurturing a deep cultural and artistic connection with the West Wicklow community.

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Tickets (€10 – €42 +booking fee) for the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival’s concerts are now on sale from www.westwicklowfestival.com.

The West Wicklow Festival is funded by the Arts Council, Wicklow Arts Office and supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Apollo Foundation and RTÉ Supporting the Arts.