Connect with us

Music

Irish Chamber Orchestra Youth hit the golden note at Feis Ceoil 2026

Published

2 months ago

on

Irish Chamber Orchestra Youth hit the golden note at Feis Ceoil 2026. Picture: PhotoCall Ireland

Irish Chamber Orchestra celebrates an extraordinary milestone as ICO Youth continues to rise with Feis Ceoil performance

Feis Ceoil Youth Orchestra concert in Limerick City and County Council, Istabraq Hall, Merchants Quay, Limerick with Mayor of Limerick, John Moran in attendance. Picture: Keith Wiseman
Youth Orchestra concert in Limerick City and County Council, Istabraq Hall, Merchants Quay, Limerick with Mayor of Limerick, John Moran in attendance. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) is celebrating an extraordinary milestone as its youth orchestra, ICO Youth, continues to rise as one of Ireland’s most inspiring musical success stories.

At its heart, ICO Youth is about opportunity. It provides young musicians across Limerick with access to world-class music education and performance opportunities. Through ICO’s visionary education programmes, these students are given not just instruments and instruction, but a pathway to confidence, creativity, and ambition. That journey reached a thrilling high point this year.

Performing in the fiercely competitive Open Category at the prestigious Feis Ceoil in Dublin last week, ICO Youth emerged victorious against top orchestras from across Ireland. This achievement builds on their international success at the World Festival of Orchestras in Vienna, where they secured three major awards last year.


advertisement
advertisement


advertisement
advertisement


advertisement
advertisement


advertisement
advertisement

Their winning performance of Irish Suite for Strings by Arthur Duff was described as both captivating and deeply expressive. Adjudicator Peter Broadbent praised the orchestra’s ability to bring the music vividly to life, capturing its warmth, energy, and unmistakable Irish character.

This success is about far more than trophies. It is a powerful testament to what happens when talent meets opportunity, when young people are supported, challenged, and inspired to believe in their own potential. Week after week, these thirty-five musicians rehearse with dedication and passion, transforming not only their musical abilities but their futures.

Irish Chamber Orchestra celebrates an extraordinary milestone as ICO Youth continues to rise with Feis Ceoil performance
The Irish Chamber Orchestra continues to transform lives through music at the University of Limerick and across the wider community.

ICO CEO Gerard Keenan said, “We are incredibly proud of this remarkable group of young people, who bring such dedication, energy, and joy to their music. Starting from different paths, these students have climbed to the summit of success, proving what dedication can accomplish. That is truly something special. We are deeply grateful to their families, and to our Friends and Sponsors, whose support makes ICO Youth possible. We remain committed to nurturing talent, opening doors, and creating opportunities for every young musician to grow, flourish, and shine.”

Supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, the Irish Chamber Orchestra continues to transform lives through music at the University of Limerick and across the wider community.

For ICO Youth, this victory is not just a moment, it is a milestone. A signal of what is possible. And a promise of even greater things to come.

Related Topics:

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.