Ballinasloe composer set to lead new NCH show inspired by 'Pirate Queen'

Acclaimed Ballinasloe composer and conductor Eímear Noone is set to lead a major performance next month, by some of Ireland's top female musicians next inspired by the spirit of the 'Pirate Queen' Grace O'Malley in the National Concert Hall, Dublin.

To mark International Women's Day on March 8, the National Symphony Orchestra, in association with Polyarts, brings together performers as diverse as soprano Celine Byrne, Limerick singer/songwriter Emma Langford and Wallis Bird to tackle the turbulent tale of the Granuaile 'in Daughters of the Pirate Queen: The Spirit of Grace O’Malley'

Eímear Noone, the show's creator, is promising that the soundscape of this genre-defying concert will centre on cinematic orchestral storytelling through music, narrative, and song, with indie rock, pop, and folk influences throughout the score.

It brings together Irish artists from different genres to co-write songs inspired by some of Ireland's greatest women, one of the most eye-catching is a collaboration between iconic 'A Woman's Heart' songwriter Eleanor McEvoy and the Ballinasloe born, LA based composer and conductor who have come together to pen a song for performance by Emma Langford.

“What Grace O’Malley achieved in her lifetime has been a constant inspiration to me and getting deeply into her life with some of my favourite Irish women artists has proven that her fierce spirit lives in us all, and this music has her indomitable energy running through it. It is not limited by genre or label as neither was she," Eímear said ahead of the show.

“It is important to me that great Irish women are memorialized and celebrated so that future generations can harness their passions and take ownership of their heritage.

"Daughter, lover, mother, leader – Grace O’Malley was all of these things and so much more; not a myth, but a flesh-and-blood Irish woman. The fierce heart of the pirate queen resides in us all. Therefore, we are all her daughters,” the award-winning composer from Kilconnell, near Ballinasloe added.

Anthony Long, General Manager, National Symphony Orchestra & Choirs hailed the collaboration with Eímear Noone and a very exciting ensemble of special guests to mark International Women's Day.

“Eímear is a unique talent in the field of conducting and composition. This project epitomises the celebration of women and we believe that it will be an incredible show that will be repeated the world over. I would like to thank Eímear, Craig Stuart Garfinkle and the team at Polyarts for helping to bring this project to fruition.”

The Ballinasloe native is one of the premier composers of film and game scores working today, having 26 film and video game titles to her name with figures as well known as Gus Van Sant, Joe Dante and Oscar nominated Javier Navarrette (Pan's Labyrinth). The hit video game World of Warcraft is one of her most popular soundscapes and has already reached 100 million people.

Along with composing, Eímear conducts orchestras worldwide, most notably being the woman to do so at the Oscars in 2020. This year she completed a sold out video game concert tour in the Royal Albert Hall, London.

In previous interviews about her meteoric rise to fame, Eímear paid warm tributes to her primary school in Kilconnell and lauded the influence of Scoil Mhuire in Ballinasloe had as part of her musical journey.

She studied piano with Marie Power, who she said had a major influence on her future career and Sr Vianney who gave her first opportunity to conduct an orchestra after writing a school anthem for the 75th anniversary of the school. She also enjoyed participating in Ballinasloe Town Band and studied flute with Athlone's Michael Whelan.