The Irish Chamber Orchestra was the first professional orchestra in the country to establish its home outside Dublin. Since then, the Irish Chamber Orchestra has gained a remarkable reputation as a fresh and vibrant force on the Irish and international music scene.

The Irish Chamber Orchestra performs a concert season in Limerick and Dublin (September-April) as well as three regional tours countrywide each year. It hosts a festival weekend in May in Limerick city.

On the international front, the orchestra has just returned from a US tour in October as part of Imagine Ireland/A Year of Irish Arts in America 2011 with world renowned pianist Leon Fleischer. Previously, the orchestra has toured with success across Europe, Australia, South Korea, China, Singapore and the US.

The orchestra collaborates with some of the world’s finest musicians – recent concerts with Gérard Korston, Alison Balsom, Steve Mackey, Jörg Widmann, Gábor Takács-Nagy and Pekka Kuusisto have garnered critical acclaim. The orchestra has also worked with celebrated artists including Nigel Kennedy, Steven Isserlis, Stephen Hough, Maxim Vengerov and Sinead O Connor. Formers artistic directors are Anthony Marwood, Nicholas McGegan and Fionnuala Hunt.

It excels in a diverse repertoire ranging from classical to modern day masterpieces and new commissions. Leading Irish composers who have worked with the orchestra include John Kinsella, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Bill Whelan and Elaine Agnew.

Outside the concert hall, the Irish Chamber Orchestra stimulates minds and hearts with a vitality unmatched by other ensembles. It offers music as an instrument of social change, introducing children to music, creativity, innovation, understanding and openness thus helping them to reach their full potential as individuals. In working with re-generating groups and providing support and inspiration to music-makers of all ages and abilities, the ICO offers immense value to the wider community.

The Irish Chamber Orchestra is resident at the World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick and is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland / An Comhairle Ealaíon.