'We’ve grown with this city': Limerick orchestra celebrates huge musical milestone

LIMERICK'S cultural landscape took centre stage as the city honoured the Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) with a mayoral reception to mark its 30th anniversary.

The ICO first relocated to Limerick from Dublin back in 1995 when the Irish World Academy was being established at the University of Limerick.

The ICO has since toured the world, recording and showcasing local and national creativity on a global stage. It has toured extensively across the world and made history as the first Irish orchestra to hold a three-year residency at Germany’s Heidelberg Frühling Festival.

Supported by The Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Limerick City and County Council, the ICO operates as both an orchestra and a charitable organisation, ensuring that many in Limerick city have access to free music education in schools.

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Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, said: “I’m very proud to celebrate 30 years of the ICO’s extraordinary presence in our city. In many ways, their journey over the last three decades mirrors our own transformation in Limerick.”

CEO of the Irish Chamber Orchestra, Gerry Keenan, added: “We’ve grown with this city, and we look forward to nurturing the next generation of musicians and audiences over the next 30 years.”

The ICO has forged landmark collaborations with some of Ireland’s most iconic artists including Sinéad O’Connor, and The Cranberries.

The mayoral reception coincided with the ICO's 30th anniversary gala concert at University Concert Hall, on Saturday.