Under the artistic direction of Peter Whelan, scholarship and musical excellence converge in a unique way through the IBO’s work, creating an original offering like no other organization on the Irish classical music scene. Through this integration of research and practice the very idea of an orchestra is defined afresh, providing an unusual and enriching experience for today’s audiences.

As an ambassador for the stories of Ireland’s musical past, the IBO uses its unique perspective to develop the growing store of knowledge surrounding the very early days of Baroque and Classical music in Ireland. The IBO’s research, recordings and performances offer audiences across Ireland a new opportunity to reevaluate and reclaim their cultural heritage, while also engaging the Irish diaspora through the increasing global reach of this work. Even Handel’s Messiah – an annual touring highlight in the IBO calendar – is a rekindled link to Dublin’s cultural life in 1742.

The IBO’s Irish heritage recording cycle to date on Linn encompasses Welcome home, Mr Dubourg (2019), The Trials of Tenducci with Tara Erraught (2021) and The Hibernian Muse with Sestina (2022). A warm response to these recordings internationally has marked out the IBO’s distinctive voice on the world stage, with notable praise from Gramophone, France Musique and BR Klassik.

In February 2022 the IBO made its debut to critical acclaim at the Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, London, with Vivaldi’s Bajazet, a coproduction from Irish National Opera and the Royal Opera House. The excellence of their work on Bajazet, with artistic director Peter Whelan, was recognized in April 2022 with an Olivier Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Opera’.

The IBO is committed to developing the national scene for historically informed performance and works with a number of partner organizations across the country to ensure its continued growth for future generations. The award winning Irish Youth Baroque Orchestra (delivered in partnership with the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras) gives students the opportunity to work intensively on elements of period style under the guidance of director Claire Duff.

IBO’s Apprentice Scheme supports students as they take their first steps into the profession, with several alumnae now working with the IBO as active professional musicians. An annual side-by-side scheme with the Royal Irish Academy of Music is a crucial, recent development in the IBO’s educational portfolio, as is a new Baroque Strings class aimed at amateur adult string players. The IBO is generously funded by The Arts Council Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon. It also receives financial support from Culture Ireland to support an expanding international profile, and Dublin City Council for Dublin HandelFest. The orchestra has its own collection of period instruments, purchased with the assistance of an Arts Council capital grant and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The IBO is resident at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, and as of 2021 is an ensemble and Board member of the Réseau Européen de Musique Ancienne (European Early Music Network).