The Chamber Music on Valentia Festival, scheduled for 14 to 17 August on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry, will offer a four-day programme of classical and traditional music performances, workshops, and community events set against the island’s rugged coastal landscape. Visitors can expect a series of concerts in unique venues, including the Church of St. John the Baptist, Valentia Lighthouse, Glanleam House, and family homes, featuring a mix of Irish and international artists.
The 2025 opening concert at the Royal Hotel in Knightstown will present a curated programme of music for concertina, fiddle, and strings, blending Irish traditional music with Bohemian and Scandinavian dances, performed by concertina player Jack Talty, fiddle player Ultan O’Brien, and string artists such as violinists Darragh Morgan and Chase Spruill, violist Jane Atkins, and cellist Peter Adams.
The festival includes masterclasses, opportunities for local musicians to perform with festival artists, and the popular Musical Map on Saturday, 16 August, guiding visitors to performances across the island. Free events, such as a family concert at the Lighthouse, ensure accessibility, while late-night concerts, like those featuring works by Irish composers, cater to dedicated music enthusiasts.
The festival supports emerging talent through initiatives like a call for Kerry-based composers to create new works inspired by the Kerry Polka, with two commissions to be premiered at the opening concert. Visitors can explore Valentia’s historical sites, including the Transatlantic Cable Station, Valentia Slate Quarry, or the island’s tetrapod trackways, with accommodation at The Royal Valentia Hotel or local guesthouses. A car ferry from Reenard Point to Knightstown and the Maurice O’Neill Memorial Bridge from Portmagee provide easy access.
Founded in 2014 by concert pianist Mary Dullea and violinist Darragh Morgan, the festival was established to bring high-quality chamber music to one of Ireland’s most westerly points, leveraging Valentia’s rich history and natural beauty. Inspired by the island’s cultural connections, including composer Ernest Moeran’s residency, the founders aimed to create an intimate festival that fosters connections between performers and audiences.
Now in its 12th year, the event has grown to include international artists from countries like the USA, Austria, and Switzerland, while maintaining a focus on Irish composers like Gráinne Mulvey and Jonathan Nangle. The festival, supported by the Arts Council and Kerry County Council, has earned recognition for its innovative programming, such as the 2021 digital installation “Land, Sea, Sky” by Kerry filmmaker Marcella O’Connor. Mary Dullea, the current artistic director, continues to shape the festival, curating performances that blend classical repertoire with contemporary and traditional elements, as seen in past programmes featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Tunde Jegede’s kora and cello works. Her leadership has introduced outreach initiatives, including educational packages for young people and collaborations like the 2022 Soundtrail with The Lighthouse Project.
The 2025 festival, expected to attract a growing audience following 2024’s record-breaking attendance, will offer a compact yet varied experience, with tickets available from 1 June at www.chambermusiconvalentia.com, by email at info@chambermusiconvalentia.com, or in person at Walsh’s Grocery Store in Knightstown from 1 August. Visitors are advised to book early, particularly for the Festival Pass, and to check the website for the full programme, expected in early summer, to plan their visit to this unique cultural event on Valentia Island.
