In 1995 the Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) moved from east coast to west, following an invitation from Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin to become part of the emerging College of Performing Arts at the University of Limerick.

At the same time the musicians were offered regular contracts, attracting the country's finest string players back to Ireland.

These two events bought the goal of establishing in Ireland one of the greatest Chamber Orchestras in the world and a cultural ambassador for the country at home and abroad, closer to reality.

The orchestra has been resident at the university ever since, and in 2008 opened it’s own state of the art building - with studio, rehearsal rooms and offices – on campus.

As well as a succession of illustrious Artistic Directors (Fionnuala Hunt, Nicholas McGegan, Anthony Marwood) the orchestra regularly works with an imaginative mix of some of the world’s finest musicians, including Maxim Vengerov, Nigel Kennedy, Steven Isserlis, Stephen Hough, Alison Balsom and Sinéad O’Connor.

The orchestra performs regular concert series in Limerick, Dublin and Cork, as well as undertaking an extensive programme of regional touring.

The orchestra is also in demand internationally - - recent tours include across Europe, Australia, South Korea, China and the US.

Outside the concert hall the orchestra takes an active role in the wider community - working in marginalised communities to promote engagement in education and using music as a tool to increase self-confidence, enhance leadership skills and encourage creative problem solving. The ICO also provides tuition and support to the next generation of musicians.

A Short Film About the Irish Chamber Orchestra