Principal Activity and Review of the Business

The principal activity of Music for Galway is the presentation of orchestral concerts, chamber music recitals, solo recitals, masterclasses and workshops, as well as the general promotion and development of music in the city and region, including advocacy for infrastructure.

In March 2025 we completed the second year of our three year strategic plan “From Galway to the World”. We conducted a detailed review and were pleased to note that we continue to track closely to that plan. As an example, our intent to be more inclusive in our programming was reflected in the diversity of our venues. Later in 2025 we presented Dragonfly at three different venues. The concert at Croi House in Newcastle was specifically programmed for adults and children with intellectual disability. At Ballinafoile Community Centre, we included local and Ukrainian choirs in the performance. The final concert brought cellist Naomi Berrill back to her own community, at Campbell’s Bar in Headford.

As has become traditional, the year began with our Midwinter Festival dedicated to the work of French composer Maurice Ravel. Hosted at the Townhall Theatre and launched by the French Ambassador to Ireland, HE Celine Place, the festival attracted strong audiences for all performances. There were many highlights, perhaps the most memorable the final performance of Ravels Bolero for which we partnered with Galway Dance featuring our AD Finghin Collins and Francois-Xavier Poizat on piano and dancer Aneta Dortová.

St Joseph’s Church has become one of our favourite city venues In 2025, it hosted concerts by the Britten Oboe Quartet, Vanbrugh and Friends, and pianist Daniel Lebhardt. The Britten Quartet included a moving performance of “Artin”, composed by Britten cellist Jacqueline Shave, mourning the passing of an immigrant Kurdish child.

Our 44th season, titled “Breathe” and focussing on music for voice launched at the Portershed in September, with a performance by local soprano Aimee Banks. There followed some dazzling vocal concerts, with a particularly memorable performance by Stile Antico at St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church.

The Emily Anderson concert featured the young singers from Irish National Opera with a compelling performance of operatic works by Mozart. It was complemented by a presentation on Emily Anderson’s second career as a cryptographer, delivered by David Pope.

The year ended with an epic performance of Handel’s Messiah — with multiple local choirs joining Resurgam and ensemble Vespera under the direction of Mark Duley. In total a cast of almost 150 performed to a packed St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. After almost 400 years the popularity of Messiah remains undiminished.

Our lunchtime concerts, presented in partnership with University of Galway Arts in Action continued throughout the year. We were particularly pleased to welcome back Cellissimo Ambassador, Margarita Guerrero. These concerts are presented in relaxed’ format, facilitating those who may struggle with the conventional regime of a classical music concert.

We continue to advocate for a venue in Galway that will accommodate the needs of the music and dance community. Having completed the Arts Council feasibility study in 2024, our work in 2025 focussed on exploring potential sites in the city, researching similar venues elsewhere and cultivating philanthropic support.

In 2025 we bade farewell to two directors, Delia Breathnach and Dan Shields, who delivered sterling service to Music for Galway over many years. Delia’s service included time as chairperson during a period of financial challenge and it was through her leadership that the organisation dealt with that challenge and positioned us for the growth we have since enjoyed. Dan brought valuable legal expertise, particularly in the planning and execution of our Galway 2020 program.

As we said farewell to Delia and Dan, we were delighted to welcome a new director, Alice Kelly to the board. Alice, now a fulltime piano teacher, came first into contact through her internship as BA in Music student with Music for Galway in 2021 She further cemented a strong connection with Music for Galway, not least in leading the Masterclass program at Cellissimo 2024, and has quickly established herself as a strong board member.

2025 also saw the renewals of the strategic partnership with the University of Galway and the MfG offices were moved to premises shared with MusicConnects and lecturers of the BA in Music.

We ended 2025 in good health, both financially and otherwise—due principally to the excellent work of our executive team, Anna, Finghin and Suzanne. We are heartened by the continued support of our funders, sponsors and donors. Our audience numbers remain strong and we solicit regular feedback from them through our post-concert ‘bean surveys’. We also acknowledge the work of our volunteers. In particular the core group who have been unwavering in their service.

Mark Gantly, Chair
June 2026