Irish Concertina Orchestra release new Bill Whelan composition ‘Aboard the West Clare'

Ahead of their concert at Glór, Ennis, on May 23, the Irish Concertina Orchestra have released ‘Aboard the West Clare' - a new composition by Riverdance composer Bill Whelan.

The release marks the final instalment in a series of collaborative singles issued in the lead-up to the concert.

Following the pieces ‘Éalú’, ‘Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh’, and ‘Lovely Anne’, ‘Aboard the West’ Clare’ brings the project to a close.

Arranged by Bill Whelan and Cormac McCarthy, the composition was recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin in the summer of 2025. The performance brings together the Irish Concertina Orchestra with NOTIFY and the MGCE Concert Orchestra.

“Being part of the Irish Concertina orchestra and visiting the recording studio was such an amazing experience,” said Caoilinn Morrow a student of the Irish Concertina Orchestra.

“It gave me the chance to learn new musical skills and improve my confidence and ability. I enjoyed working with the amazing teachers and other musicians who share the same interest in music and creativity.

“The environment was supportive and motivating, which made learning even more fun. Overall, it was a memorable experience that helped me grow both musically and personally.”

Produced by Brian Whelan, Alex Borwick and Pádraig Rynne, the recording stands as a collaboration between some of Ireland’s leading traditional and orchestral musicians and a new generation of young concertina players.

“When we began developing this project, I approached Bill Whelan with the idea of writing a suite for the Irish Concertina Orchestra, where he would have the extraordinary palette of forty concertinas, the band NOTIFY, Cormac McCarthy and the MGCE Concert Orchestra at his disposal,” said Pádraig Rynne, Music Generation Clare, NOTIFY and Producer.

Rynne says Whelan is one of his favourite composers and expressed equal excitement on behalf of the students who will perform under his stewardship.

“Hearing the students return to the work with the experience of the live performance behind them made the recording process very special, and it was a wonderful opportunity to document the collaboration. This experience will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”

Tickets for the concert are available here.