Irish Chamber Orchestra celebrate a year of music-making and community impact

Irish Chamber Orchestra celebrate a year of music-making and community impact in 2025

Irish Chamber Orchestra reflect on a year of music-making, creative partnerships, and powerful community impact as 2025 comes to a close

The Irish Chamber Orchestra are celebrating a standout year for 2025 as the music group reflects on a year of incredible performances as well as the impact and support from the community.

The Irish Chamber Orchestra is an Irish classical music ensemble, based at the University of Limerick.

Looking back on what has been a successful year, the ICO said, “From exhilarating concerts and joyful collaborations to new voices and fresh takes on classic works, our performances were richly expressive, shaped by a distinctive Irish spirit and an appetite for creative risk. At the core of everything we do is one simple belief: great music belongs to everyone.”

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As well as bringing world-class performances to venues throughout Limerick and across the country, ICO continues to invest heavily in free education and community engagement programmes, bringing live music into schools and communities nationwide in 2025.

It was a milestone year for the ICO as they celebrated 30 years in Limerick, celebrated with a Mayoral Reception and significant national and international recognition. The group brought 37 concerts to 16 locations and traversed 11 genres, sharing extraordinary musicianship with audiences at home and overseas.

Other key achievements this year saw the ICO create new works and major collaborations, honouring eight Irish composers, welcoming Artistic Partner Henning Kraggerud and Associate Artist Kristian Bezuidenhout, and celebrating Katherine Hunka’s exceptional 26 years as Leader. Through their community outreach and mission to provide free education, the team delivered more than 17,000 free music lessons with more than 9,000 participants through ICO Education.

A major part of the 2025 programme, celebrating 30 years in Limerick, the group have launched its Gift of Music campaign — a collective effort to raise €30,000 in support of our education and community engagement programmes in 2025.

They said, “Thanks to a generous group of supporters, we’ve secured €15,000 in matching funds, which means every euro donated by the public between now and December 31st will be doubled. Your €50 becomes €100; Your €250 becomes €500; and Your €1,000 becomes €2,000.”

They added, “A donation of any size moves us closer to our goal — and with matching funds in place, every gift counts twice. If you’re able, please consider contributing at a level meaningful to you.”

Following an impressive 2025, the ICO is excited for the year ahead, they said, “Looking ahead to 2026, we have a season of standout collaborations and distinctive programming — from Abel Selaocoe’s sensational opening concerts, to Beethoven’s Emperor with Kristian Bezuidenhout; Brothers Haydn with Carolin Widmann; and Mozart’s World and French Reverie with Henning Kraggerud — alongside our ongoing commitment to education, access, and championing new Irish work.”

With the continued support of the public, the ICO is hoping 2026 will be a year of artistic excellence, creative curiosity, and lasting social impact as they strive to ensure that live, transformative music remains accessible to everyone. The ICO added, “Our sincere thanks to our host venues, Friends, Patrons, Donors, Corporate Sponsors, and the Arts Council of Ireland for making this work possible. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and every success in 2026.”