"McDonagh plays with flawless technique, faultless intonation, and a strong yet meltingly sweet tone." Fanfare Magazine
Irish cellist Ailbhe McDonagh is an international soloist, chamber musician and recording artist who performs worldwide.
As a composer published with Boosey&Hawkes, Ailbhe has a large collection of chamber, orchestral and pedagogical works to her name.
Upcoming concerts
Rachmaninov & Beethoven Performing with pianist Máire Carroll 📅 July 17th 📍 Castleknock Music Festival, Dublin 🎟 Get tickets
Bach Solo cello concert 📅 August 3rd 📍 Barrahane Music Festival, Cork 🎟 Get tickets
Beethoven, Boulanger, McDonagh & Cassadó Performing with pianist John O'Conor 📅 August 10th 📍 Ballaghaderreen Arts Fest, Roscommon 🎟 Get tickets
Programme TBC Performing with Musici 📅 August 11th 📍 New Ross Guitar Festival, Wexford
Shostakovich, Brahms, McDonagh & Golijov Performing with Ficino Ensemble 📅 December 6-10th 📍 5 concert nationwide tour
Mozart, McKay & Penderecki Performing with Ficino Ensemble 📅 January 24th to February 4th, 2024 📍 8 concert nationwide tour
New release: Irish Isles Suite
In 2023, Ailbhe wrote and published her second orchestral work the ‘Irish Isles Suite’ with the support of the Arts Council of Ireland. This is a 13 minute work in three movements.
Each movement of the Irish Isles Suite is based on one specific island off the coast of Ireland, namely Achill Island, the Blasket Islands and Tory Island. This piece was recorded by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra with conductor David Brophy.
Cello teaching and masterclasses Ailbhe is a lecturer at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. For private one-on-one cello lessons and masterclasses please get in touch. Ailbhe is available to teach internationally with in-person or online classes. Here is a recent masterclass for the National Concert Hall of Ireland.
Popper Études project
During 2021, Ailbhe was joined by American cellist Katie Tertell where they learned one Popper study each week, recorded a live discussion of practice tips and performed it live to each other. Each of these videos gives two professional cellists’ practice approaches to each of the 40 études. This is an excellent resource for cellists learning and practicing these études. Click here to learn more about the project.
