National Concert Hall

The National Concert Hall (NCH) (An Ceoláras Náisiúnta) is a concert hall located on Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin, Ireland. It is a national cultural institution and the designated home of music in Ireland. It hosts over 1,000 events each year.

Exterior of the National Concert Hall
Exterior of the National Concert Hall at night
This article is about the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland. For the National Concert Hall in Taipei, Taiwan, see National Theater and Concert Hall, Taipei.

Originally built for the Dublin International Exhibition of Arts and Manufactures of 1865, the structure was converted into the central building of University College Dublin (UCD) at the foundation of the National University of Ireland in 1908. When UCD began to relocate to a new campus at Belfield in the 1960s, part of the building was converted, and reopened as the NCH in 1981.[1]

Since opening, the NCH has played host to a huge variety of artists in every genre, from the four corners of the globe. As well as being home to the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, audiences have enjoyed performances of every type of music produced in Ireland, from classical to country, from sean-nós to rap.

As a national cultural institution, the NCH falls under the aegis of the Irish Government’s Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, as such, is grant-aided by the Irish Government. The NCH is a statutory corporate body, with a management team, and a Government-appointed Board.[2]

In September 2021, the National Concert Hall will celebrate its 40th Anniversary.


History

The history of Earlsfort Terrace, where the National Concert Hall is based, dates back to 1865 when it was originally known as the Exhibition Palace. The Guinness Family purchased the buildings in May 1871, agreeing that ‘popular entertainment’ continue as before for a further ten years. Dublin Musical Society made its debut at the Exhibition Palace in May 1876. On its first visit to Ireland, the Hallé Orchestra gave two concerts at the Exhibition Palace on 26th October 1878. The stone structure and glass and steel Winter Garden proved expensive to run and was later dismantled and sold in May 1882. The Royal University of Ireland occupied the premises from 1883 to 1909. Concerts and small exhibitions continued. The Irish Universities Act of 1908 brought the establishment of University College Dublin (UCD) and the RUI was dissolved on 31st October 1909.

Several members of staff and students of UCD were involved in Easter Week 1916 Rising, including Professor Eoin MacNeill and student Richard Mulcahy who became Chief of Staff of the Volunteers (Óglaigh na hÉireann). Thomas MacDonagh, one of the signatories to the Proclamation of the Republic, was a lecturer in English at UCD. He was executed in Kilmainham Jail on 3rd May 1916.

The building also has significant links to the War of Independence. A Dublin Corporation scholarship brought Kevin Barry, who had joined the Irish Republican Army in 1917, into UCD’s medical school in 1919. Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in London on 6th December 1921, Dáil Éireann met in UCD’s Council Chamber between 14th December and 10th January 1922. Ratification of the Treaty by Dáil Éireann took place in UCD on 7th January 1922 with 64 deputies in favour and 57 against. Final session of Dáil Éireann in UCD took place on 10th January 1922 when Arthur Griffith was elected president of the Dáil.

In 1960 the Irish Government agreed to build a new campus for UCD at Belfield. In 1974 the Government agreed that the Earlsfort Terrace site would be completely renovated to become the National Concert Hall. Work began in May 1978. President Patrick Hillary officially opened the National Concert Hall on 9th September 1981 with the RTÉSO and a number soloists and choirs under Colman Pearce. The Chieftains had the honour of giving the first traditional Irish music concert on 11th September 1981, while pianist John O'Conor gave the first 'solo' recital on the 12th September.

Programme

The International Concert Series is the flagship of the National Concert Hall’s programme. It brings the finest international classical musicians, ensembles and orchestras to Irish audiences as well as showcasing leading national artists.

Other important series include Perspectives, which sees leading international and Irish artists explore contemporary and innovative expressions of music and the Chamber Music Series which takes place in The Kevin Barry Recital Room and gives audiences the opportunity to enjoy recitals and intimate concerts, ranging from baroque to contemporary music.

Elsewhere in the programme, Words+Ideas provides writers, commentators and thinkers from the worlds of the arts, culture, politics and society a platform for their views and insights to inspire reflection, debate and critical thinking.

Over the years the International Concert Series has hosted artists of the calibre of Joyce Di Donato, Kiri Te Kanawa, Renée Fleming, Anne Sofie von Otter, Juan Diego Flórez, Joseph Calleja, Lang Lang, Benjamin Grosvenor, Staatskapelle Dresden, London Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic and Oslo Philharmonic Orchestras.

Perspectives has seen musicians such as Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, Bill Frisell, Max Richter Ensemble, Clint Mansell, Wayne Shorter Quartet, Brad Mehldau, Nils Frahm and Lambchop take to the NCH stage.

The National Concert Hall has also hosted a number of author events featuring writers such as David Sedaris, Margaret Atwood, Sir Michael Parkinson, Matt Haig, Dolly Alderton, Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Marian Keyes.

Learning and Participation

Learning and Participation is a central component to the work of the National Concert Hall and it runs a variety of programmes to foster and celebrate the appreciation, knowledge and love of music for all – from families exploring new creative pursuits, to young musicians starting their careers and seasoned professionals.

The various strands of Learning and Participation are Young People & Family Events; Music Students & Musicians (which includes the International Master Course and the award-winning Female Conductor Programme); Schools & Teachers; Community; Health & Wellbeing and Bursaries & Awards.

Bursaries and Awards

Jerome Hynes Young Composers’ Award The annual Jerome Hynes Young Composers’ Award provides €2,500 for the commission of a new work, which will be premiered at the National Concert Hall, giving the young composer a platform to showcase their talent.

Bernadette Greevy Bursary The annual Bernadette Greevy Bursary awards a bursary of €5000 to a singer in honour of Irish mezzo-soprano Dr Bernadette Greevy.

Liam O’Flynn The Liam O’Flynn Award is a joint initiative of the Arts Council and the National Concert Hall as part of its partnership for the promotion, appreciation and enjoyment of traditional arts, which includes the Tradition Now festival of traditional music.

The Award provides a traditional artist with a period of artistic reflection, inspiration and creation in residence in the National Concert Hall plus €10,000 towards fees and living expenses during the period and €5,000 for fees and other expenses relating to collaboration with other artists and the presentation of work.

Young Musicians Award The National Concert Hall Young Musician Award for String Players is made biennially in support of the development of talented young musicians in Ireland. It provides €10,000 for young musicians, to support their further study or instrument upgrade.

NCH and Sounding the Feminists Commissioning Scheme The National Concert Hall and Sounding the Feminists Commissioning Scheme offers established and emerging female and female identifying musicians and composers from all musical idioms a new platform to create work. The Scheme includes four categories:

  • Commissions Award - Established Artists €10,000
  • Commissions Award - Mid-Career/Emerging €3,000
  • Music Recording Award 2020/21: €10,000
  • Music Project Award 2020/2: €15,000

Lifetime Achievement Awards

Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains were awarded the inaugural NCH Lifetime Achievement Award for their contribution to music in Ireland at a special event in Philadelphia, USA, supported by the Ireland Funds (Nov 2011). Sir James Galway was recognised for his contribution to music with the NCH Lifetime Achievement Award in Oct 2013. Dr Veronica Dunne was 2014’s and Paul Brady was honoured the following year. The Vanbrugh Quartet celebrated the ensemble’s 30-year contribution to music as recipients of the NCH Lifetime Achievement Award in Nov 2016, while pianist John O'Conor was deservedly presented with the prestigious award for 2017. Shane MacGowan received the NCH's Lifetime Achievement Award at a special concert celebrating his life and achievements in Jan 2018.

Main Auditorium
Kevin Barry Recital Room

Performance Areas
  • The Main Auditorium, seating 1,200, is used for large scale concerts and some operas.
  • The John Field Room, seating 250, is used for small recitals and pre-performance talks.
  • The Kevin Barry Recital Room, seating 120, is home to the Chamber Music Series and other small scale recitals. It was opened in 2016.[3]
  • The Studio, seating 100, is used for pre-event talks, receptions and corporate functions.

Resident Bodies

RTÉ NSO

The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra has been at the heart of Irish music-making since its foundation in 1948 and celebrated its 70th anniversary in February 2018. Through its year-long programmes of live performances and education and mentoring initiatives, the RTÉ NSO has nurtured generations of world-class musicians. In July 2018, the Government agreed in principal that the RTÉ NSO should come under the remit of the National Concert Hall, this transition is due to be completed in 2021.

Irish Baroque Orchestra

Irish Baroque Orchestra is one of Ireland’s most dynamic and versatile ensembles. IBO draws on the artistry and vibrancy of each member to perform music from the 17th and 18th centuries to the highest standards. The Orchestra became an NCH resident in 2013.

Chamber Choir Ireland

Chamber Choir Ireland is the country’s flagship choral ensemble and national chamber choir. It has been resident in the NCH since 2012. under the Artistic Direction of the multi-award-winning conductor, Paul Hillier. The choir’s programmes span from early renaissance to the present day.

Crash Ensemble

Crash Ensemble is Ireland’s leading new music group, described as the ‘Irish new-music collective with international cachet and considerable chops’ (The Washington Post)[4] Crash Ensemble celebrated 20 years in existence in 2017. It has been resident in the NCH since 2014.

Music Network

A NCH resident since 2013, Music Network is a national music touring and development organisation, founded in 1986 by the Arts Council. The organisation has contributed significantly to music development throughout Ireland through its national reach, development of touring infrastructure, and linking of arts policy with on the ground activity.

Music Generation

Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds together with the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships. Like Music Network, it has been an NCH resident since 2013.

Writers Block

Writer’s Block is a series of creative writing rooms at NCH offering artists space to write, experiment and collaborate. It allows NCH to support artists in the creation of new projects and allow them to contribute to NCH’s programming. Paul Noonan, James Vincent McMorrow, Lisa Hannigan, Ross Turner and Glenn Keating are currently resident, creating and making new work at NCH. Neil Hannon and Cathy Davey have previously benefitted from this support.

Redevelopment

The redevelopment of the National Concert Hall on Earlsfort Terrace is part of Project Ireland 2040, and is one of the Irish Government's key cultural projects. Plans to develop the site have been in train since the mid-2000s following the purchase of Earlsfort Terrace from UCD for the future redevelopment of the National Concert Hall.

Under Project Ireland 2040, the Government has committed to a major investment in the redevelopment of the NCH with the aim of transforming it into the National Centre for the performance of music.

The redevelopment programme, due to start construction in 2022, provides an opportunity for the NCH to fulfill its vision, mission and purpose. With a state-of-the-art building and performance spaces at Earlsfort Terrace, on one of Dublin’s key historical sites, the redevelopment will allow the NCH to inspire a new generation of musicians and music lovers and become Ireland’s must-visit music venue and a cultural landmark for the nation.

This critical investment will realise the site’s incredible potential, delivering a redeveloped main auditorium, a dedicated rehearsal studio for the National Symphony Orchestra, enhanced facilities for learning and participation along with upgraded facilities across the venue, both front of house and backstage.

References
  1. https://www.nch.ie/Online/article/Hall-History
  2. http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/act/44/enacted/en/print.html
  3. https://www.ireland2016.gov.ie/content/national-concert-hall
  4. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/cd-review-reclaiming-the-celtic/2011/05/11/AFHI2i2G_story.html
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