Upcoming events
Friends of the Vocal Arts presents
Gala Dinner for Opera Lovers
Friday 28 March at 7pm
Kings Inns, DUBLIN 7
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary and the success of the 11th Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition in January 2025, we are delighted to again host our Gala Dinner for Opera Lovers. One of the highlights of our annual calendar is this glamorous Black Tie event which contributes to building our Fund for the next Competition in 2028 and our ongoing work in support of young singers. We look forward to returning to the historic and ambient surroundings of the Honorable Society of Kings Inns, Constitution Hill, Dublin 7, courtesy of the Bar of Ireland and hope that you can join us. Tickets include wine reception, dinner and entertainment provided by two wonderful sopranos, Ava Dodd & Jade Phoenix and Mairead Hurley on piano.
Past events
Friends of the Vocal Arts presents
2025 Competition Final
TUESDAY 28 JANUARY at 7.30pm
NCH, DUBLIN
Join us for the 2025 Competition Final, where our six finalists will perform with the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Wyn Davies.
Friends of the Vocal Arts presents
Opera at Kylemore Abbey
Saturday 28 September at 7pm
Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden,
Kylemore Abbey Connemara H91 VR90 Ireland
A wonderful evening of opera in the glorious Kylemore Abbey, with performances by Ireland’s top talent, featuring Anne Marie Gibbons and Rory Musgrave.
Tickets €65 (booking fees may apply) including wine & canapés. Available via Eventbrite and vdiscompetition@gmail.com
Please note that there is a short walk from the car park to the Abbey and access to Fordham Hall is up a stairs without wheelchair access, if you have any concerns re this do not hesitate to contact us.
Friends of the Vocal Arts will once again host our
Summer Festival of Opera
Sunday 30th June & Sunday 7TH July 2024 at 3pm
The Orangery in Killruddery House, Bray, Co Wicklow
Join us for our summer opera concerts, set in the magical surroundings of Killruddery House and Gardens where you can enjoy a wonderful programme of arias and ensembles from your favourite operas performed by some of Ireland’s finest young singers in this unparalleled location.
On Sunday 30th June the performers will include Eimear Harper (soprano), Anastasia Sereda (soprano), Heather Sammon (mezzo-soprano), Cathal McCabe (tenor), Matt Mannion (baritone), accompanied by Mairéad Hurley.
On Sunday 7th July the performers will include Ava Dodd (soprano), Eva Kavanagh (soprano), Gina Oberoi (mezzo-soprano), Conor Prendiville (tenor), Seán Boylan (baritone), David Kennedy (baritone), accompanied by Dearbhla Collins.
An Afternoon by Limerick Classical Concert Series & The Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition
Sunday 3rd March, 3.30PM
University Concert Hall Limerick
We are delighted to present ‘An Afternoon by Limerick Classical Concert Series & The Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition’ at University Concert Hall Limerick on Sunday March 3rd.
The concert will bring together renowned Limerick performers Mairéad Buicke, soprano, and Owen Gilhooly-Miles, baritone, alongside 2nd and 3rd prize winners from the 2022 Veronica Dunne Competition – Dublin mezzo soprano Aebh Kelly and British tenor Aaron Godfrey-Mayes. Accompanied by Dearbhla Collins and Mairead Hurley, the varied programme of operatic arias and other works will showcase the talents of these award-winning singers. A 50% Group Discount (4+) makes it the perfect Sunday afternoon event to enjoy with friends and family!
Gala Dinner for Opera Lovers
29th February 2024, 7PM
Kings Inns, Dublin
Our Gala Dinner event promises to be a fantastic operatic experience, with wine reception, dinner and entertainment from the fabulous soprano Rachel Croash, tenor Patrick Hyland and pianist Mairead Hurley.
Friends of the Vocal Arts presents the second
Veronica Dunne Bursary for Young Irish Singers
Friday 8th & SATURDAY 9TH December 2023
Auditorium, Griffith College, South Circular Road, Dublin 8, D08V04N
The 2023 Veronica Dunne Bursary for Young Irish Singers, where short-listed applicants will perform across two rounds for our esteemed jury at the Auditorium, Griffith College, Dublin in competition for the €10,000 bursary fund.
Friends of the Vocal Arts presents
Opera at Kylemore Abbey
Saturday 23 September at 7pm
Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden,
Kylemore Abbey Connemara H91 VR90 Ireland
A wonderful evening of opera in the glorious Kylemore Abbey, with performances by Ireland’s top talent, featuring Mairead Buicke, Anne Marie Gibbons and Patrick Hyland.
Friends of the Vocal Arts will once again host our
Summer Festival of Opera
Sunday 25th June & Sunday 2nd July 2023 at 3pm
The Orangery in Killruddery House, Bray, Co Wicklow
This wonderful fusion of opera and music, combined with the magical setting of Killruddery House and Gardens, has provided memorable occasions for many of us including Ronnie, her young students and you her loyal supporters. These concerts, as with all of our events, will raise funds towards the organisation and hosting of the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition and to help our young singers in development of their careers. We continue to work toward the future in securing Ronnie’s legacy going forward.
The Programme is currently being finalised but the performers will include Ava Dodd, Deirdre Higgins, Megan O’Neill (sopranos), Anna-Helena MacLachlan (mezzo-soprano), Dylan Rooney (baritone) and Sean Tester (tenor). These young singers are excited to have this performance opportunity in the prestigious Orangery at Killruddery. Ava and Anna-Helena were both winners in the first Veronica Dunne Bursary for young Irish singers and Anna-Helena and Sean Tester competed well in the 10th Competition last August.
Mairead Hurley and Dearbhla Collins will accompany the singers on piano.
Book tickets for €75 per person, which will include wine and canapés during the interval. We hope you will be able to join us for this special afternoon and continue your much valued support. We promise you a wonderful afternoon of opera in Killruddery House & Gardens and look forward to welcoming you back again.
Gala Dinner for Opera Lovers
14th February 2023, 7PM
Kings Inns, Dublin
Our Gala Dinner event promises to be a fantastic operatic experience, featuring soprano Kelli-Ann Masterson, bass-baritone Rory Dunne and pianist Mairead Hurley. For further information and to book your table, email us at vdiscompetition@gmail.com. Dress to impress in Black Tie for this special evening.
10th Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition
25–30 August 2022
NATIONAL CONCERT HALL, DUBLIN
The Friends of the Vocal Arts Committee, hosts of the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition, are proud to present the 10th competition at the end of August 2022.
Opera is back!
19Th September 2021, 3PM
KILLRUDDERY HOUSE & GARDENS, WICKLOW
Join us for an afternoon of operatic arias and ensembles featuring an exciting cast of singers: Rachel Croash, Gemma Ni Bhriain, Patrick Hyland, Rory Musgrave with Mairead Hurley, piano. To book tickets and for further information, call +35314150445 or email us at vdisc@griffith.ie
‘100 Days of Walking into Covid’ Exhibition
24, 27, 28 July 10am–4pm
RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin
The exhibition ‘100 Days of Walking into COVID’ includes 100 Paintings completed from January – July 2020 in and around Dublin by Caitriona Shaffrey MRIAI. This a record of the city during lockdown. All proceeds in aid of the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition.
An Audience with Tara Erraught
14 FEBRUARY 2021
ORGANISED BY FRIENDS OF THE VOCAL ARTS
Zoom chat with Tara Erraught, mezzo soprano, in conversation with Dearbhla Collins on her career and performances.
Opera Online at Killruddery House
SUNDAY 12th July 2020, 3PM
Watch online – Broadcast from KILLRUDDERY HOUSE
This year’s summer operatic event goes digital! Our fundraising concert is broadcast from The Orangery at Killruddery House, featuring Rachel Croash soprano, Gemma Ní Bhriain mezzo-soprano, Gavan Ring tenor, Rory Musgrave baritone, and pianist Dearbhla Collins. From Bizet to Verdi, and including favourites by Gounod, Puccini and Mozart, the diverse programme reflects the impressive range of the singers. From the safety and comfort of your home, enjoy gorgeous opera arias and ensembles performed by these immensely talented artists.
Gala Dinner for Opera Lovers
14th February 2020, 7PM
Kings Inns, Dublin
Our Gala Dinner event promises to be a fantastic operatic experience, featuring soprano Ioana Pipelea, tenor Patrick Hyland and pianist Dearbhla Collins. For further information and to book your table, email us at vdisc@griffith.ie, call Lydia Ackermann on 014163345 or call Natalie Marr on 014150445. Dress to impress in Black Tie for this special evening.
Christmas Opera Magic Concert
7th December 2019, 8PM
Pillar Room, Rotunda Foundation
Our magical Christmas Concert features Leah Redmond (soprano), Ava Dodd (soprano), Aebh Kelly (mezzo-soprano), Luis Magallanes (tenor), David Howes (baritone) and pianist Dearbhla Collins. To book tickets and for further information, call +35314150445 or email us at vdisc@griffith.ie
Summer Festival of Opera
14Th JULY 2019, 3PM
KILLRUDDERY HOUSE & GARDENS, WICKLOW
Join us for an afternoon of operatic arias and ensembles featuring an exciting cast of singers to be announced soon. To book tickets and for further information, call +35314150445 or email us at vdisc@griffith.ie
Summer Festival of Opera
7th JULY 2019, 3PM
KILLRUDDERY HOUSE & GARDENS, WICKLOW
Join us for an afternoon of operatic arias and ensembles featuring an exciting cast of singers to be announced soon. To book tickets and for further information, call +35314150445 or email us at vdisc@griffith.ie
2019 Competition Final
31st January 2019
NCH Main Auditorium, Dublin
Join us for this momentous occasion as our six finalists compete for the grand title of our prestigious vocal award.
Gala Dinner in King’s Inns
30th January 2019
King’s Inns, Dublin
Our Gala Dinner promises to be a fantastic operatic experience. For further information and to book your table, email us at vdisc@griffith.ie
2019 Competition Rounds
25–29th January 2019
NCH, Dublin
Hear some of the world’s most promising young voices at our week of Competition Rounds in the run up to our grand Final.
Veronica Dunne turns 91
A Celebratory Concert
1st September 2018 at 8pm
NCH, Main Auditorium, Dublin
Join us for an evening of operatic arias and ensembles featuring artists Miriam Murphy, soprano, Young Woo Kim, tenor, Leah Redmond, soprano, Gemma Ní Bhriain, mezzo soprano and Robert McAllister, bass baritone with the head of music at La Scala Milan, James Vaughan, at the piano.
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