Tickets are now on sale for the third edition of the West Wicklow Festival which takes place from 15th – 19th May 2019. Building on the success of previous festivals, the 2019 West Wicklow Festival boasts an incredible line-up of musicians and artists from all over the world with concerts being held at Russborough House and St. Mary’s Church, Blessington.

Having doubled in size last year, the Festival has once again expanded its programme and this year will feature 15 incredible artists over 5 days. The 2019 programme features performances from captivating Australian soprano Lauren Fagan, internationally acclaimed violinist Elena Urioste with pianist Tom Poster, renowned string quartet Quatuor Voce, prominent French ensemble Trio Atanassov, the dynamic Duo Játékok and the Festival’s Founder & Artistic Director, celebrated Irish pianist Fiachra Garvey.

This year’s programme marks two very important events – namely the 200th Anniversary of Clara Schumann’s birth and the centenary of the outbreak of the Irish War of Independence. We join in celebrating the music of Clara Schumann this year as well as music by other female composers and we have commissioned two new works in memory of the Irish War of Independence. I look forward to welcoming everyone to the stunning Russborough House in May to enjoy this fantastic programme in a uniquely intimate setting!” - Fiachra Garvey, Founder & Artistic Director

West Wicklow Festival marks the 200th Birthday of perhaps the world’s most significant female composer, Clara Schumann, by presenting some of her finest works alongside those of other influential Irish and international female composers, including Amy Beach, Lili Boulanger, Rhona Clarke, Rhoda Coghill and Joan Trimble.

2019 also marks the centenary of the outbreak of the Irish War of Independence and in commemoration of this event, West Wicklow Festival has commissioned two new pieces of music. The first of these new compositions is by prominent Irish composer Sam Perkin, with this highly anticipated new piece receiving its world premiere on Wednesday 15th May, performed by Fiachra Garvey. The other new commission, written by young British composer Lilly Vadaneaux, will be performed for the first time by Lauren Fagan (soprano), and accompanied Fiachra Garvey, on Sunday 19th May at St. Mary’s Church, Blessington.

Last year, West Wicklow Festival teamed up with the National Concert Hall’s Learning & Participation team to deliver an interactive Family Concert as well as an innovative programme of musical activities for children and families which transformed Russborough’s intricate hedge-maze and mystical Lady’s Island into interactive musical playgrounds. This collaboration will continue in 2019 with full details of the Festival’s family and educational activities being announced shortly.

Founded in 2017 by award-winning Wicklow pianist Fiachra Garvey, the West Wicklow Festival was established in order to promote the beautiful area of West Wicklow by staging an annual festival featuring some of the world's premiere artists, with a healthy Irish offering. The inaugural West Wicklow Festival featured 3 sold out concerts in the stunning Russborough House, one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in Ireland and the second edition in 2018 successfully doubled in size with twice as many concerts, a Family Concert and an innovative Music Trail. Guests are invited to enjoy the intricate beauty of Russborough House in addition to experiencing some of the world’s finest musicians in a beautiful, intimate and awe-inspiring setting.