The Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition is an established Irish musical event of international standing. We are committed to discovering the future’s best classical singers, and continue to encourage the development of Irish and international vocal talent.

Inaugurated in 1995, the Competition was created to honour the lifetime’s work of Dr. Veronica Dunne, Ireland’s Grande Dame of singing. Ireland is known throughout the world as a land of song, and in the classical and operatic field, this is in no small measure due to the unique and dedicated teaching of Dr. Dunne. 

Dame Joan Sutherland was one of the adjudicators for the first competition, which was won by Orla Boylan. Orla now enjoys a hugely successful international career, along with subsequent prizewinners including Irish mezzo-soprano, Tara Erraught, New Zealand tenor Simon O’Neill, South African sopranos Pumeza Matshikiza and Sarah-Jane Brandon, 2013 first prizewinner, American soprano Nadine Sierra and 2016 first prizewinner, Egyptian soprano, Fatma Said. The Competition became a member of the Federation of World Competitions in 2011.

The Competition takes place every three years in January at the National Concert Hall, Dublin. The competition is split into four rounds over the course of a week, which are held in front of our distinguished international Jury. Our Final always promises to be a spectacular event in the main auditorium of the Concert Hall, with full symphony orchestra to conclude the competition and announce our winners.

The Competition is organised by the Friends of the Vocal Arts, a non-for-profit charitable body, with Chairman Diarmuid Hegarty, Artistic Director Veronica Dunne and Artistic Administrator Dearbhla Collins.