Music at Kilkenny College

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”   - Plato

Kilkenny College Music Department is one of the finest second level departments in the country.  It offers a wide range of instrumental and vocal tuition from classical and traditional to jazz and rock, catering for all musical styles, interests and abilities.  It boasts some of Ireland’s finest performers and teachers as staff members.  Students are prepared for curriculum practicals, competitions, school performances, and Royal Irish Academy of Music and Associated Board practical examinations.  The College is a dedicated centre for Royal Irish Academy examinations.   

Kilkenny College has strong musical connections with St. Canice’s Cathedral, both of which promote the living Anglican choral tradition.The department boasts four choirs, an orchestra, a jazz band, a ukulele and recorder ensemble and an Irish traditional group.  

For queries about music lessons, please contact Lisa Hennessy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Music Staff 

Lisa Hennessy- Music Department Co-ordinator, Guitar Tutor

Bartosz Thiede- Choral Conductor, Organ, Piano and Vocal Tutor

Nicola Harding- Head of Academic Music, Vocal Tutor

Annemarie Kavanagh- Department Music Teacher, Grupa Ceoil and Ukulele Director, piano, vocal tutor

Eamon Cahill- Jazz Band Director, Woodwind/Brass Tutor

Carl Rochford- Orchestra Conductor, Strings Tutor

Yvonne Collier- Piano Tutor

Cora Newman- Vocal Tutor

Ashley Sheehan- Guitar Tutor

Jeremy Hickey- Percussion Tutor

Instruments 

Piano

Organ

Violin

Viola

Cello

Clarinet

Saxaphone

Trumpet

Trombone

Voice

Guitar

Ukulele

Percussion

Flute

Recorder/Tin Whistle

Music Theory

Ensemble Timetable 

Senior choir; Monday 6-7pm

Junior choir; Tuesday 4-5pm

Chamber Choir; Tuesday 6-7pm

Pop choir; Friday 3.45-4.30pm

Orchestra; Thursday 6.15-7.30pm

Jazz Band; Tuesday, lunchtime

Grupa Ceoil; Monday, lunchtime

Recorder Ensemble; Tuesday, lunchtime

Sight-Singing Classes; Tuesday, 5-6pm.