County Kildare Orchestra
The County Kildare Orchestra (CKO) was founded in 1998 by Berna Hayden and other like minded people, to enable talented musicians to rehearse and perform exciting and challenging orchestral music. The orchestra is based in Celbridge and now has approximately 60 members playing strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.
Repertoire
The orchestra’s repertoire is varied and includes classical, traditional and modern works. In recent years, performances have included Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto in C Major, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Grie g's Piano Concerto in A Minor and audience favourites by Ennio Morricone. In 2023/24, the orchestra went on a nationwide tour, bringing the story of Kildare man Ernest Shackleton’s fated voyage to Antarctica to a wide audience. ‘South, always South!’ was performed in Kildare, Maynooth, Waterford, Ennis and Galway, and featured on RTE’s ‘Nationwide’.
Musical Director & Conductor
Lorcan Daly is the Musical Director and Conductor of the County Kildare Orchestra. He began his musical career at the age of eight as a boy chorister in the Palestrina Choir. He studied piano with Louise Thomas and had his voice trained with Veronica Dunne and Ken Shellard. At the age of ten he began studying the French Horn under Victor Malerish in the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He was principal horn player in the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and held the position of Principal French Horn in the Army No. 1 Band. Throughout his career, Lorcan has directed numerous ensembles, bands, and orchestras.
Leader
Linda Hughes is the current leader of the County Kildare Orchestra. She began playing piano and violin at a young age and has been a member of several orchestras in Ireland and Scotland. While growing up and studying in Galway, she played with Galway Youth Orchestra and the University of Galway Orchestra. She then moved to Scotland and played with Aberdeen Chamber Orchestra. She has been awarded Diploma and Associate of the London College of Music. Linda works as a meteorologist with Met Éireann and broadcasts on RTÉ radio and television.