Category: Core Members

Tara Connaghan is from Glenties, Co. Donegal, in the North West of Ireland. Her principle influences are Vincent and Jimmy Campbell, Danny Meehan, the late James Byrne and the older generation of fiddle players in the area, including the distinguished recordings of travelling fiddle maestro John Doherty.

Along with fellow Donegal fiddler, Derek McGinley, she released a well-received recording, Far Side of the Glen – Derek McGinley & Tara Connaghan, focusing on the fiddle style and repertoire specific of the southwest Donegal region, grant aided by the Arts Council Ireland.

‘This is not the “flashy” playing so often heard today; each note is given its chance to express itself properly – the music talks to you, as it should. No excessive speed, no attempts at fusion with other styles, just good, honest Donegal fiddling as we used to hear it years ago…’

John Waltham, The Living Tradition Magazine, UK

She has made a number of guest appearances on CDs including Dr. Liz Doherty & Fiddlesticks (2000), Leonard Barry Mind the Pipes (2002) and Eoin O’Neill In Session (2003). She also presented a TG4 Geantraí programme from Carlow in 2010 featuring musicians from the south east of Ireland. She completed an uilleann pipe making course with Na Píobairí Uilleann.

She is a founding member of the all female 13-strong Donegal fiddle group, SíFiddlers, alongside Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Liz Doherty, Bríd Harper and Róisín Harrigan to name but a few, releasing a self titled album in 2021.

She is also a member of a performance project with guitarist Steve Cooney, Irish language storyteller Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair, fellow Donegal fiddler Mick Brown and Anuna signer, Ellie Níc Fhionnghaile.

Tara first worked with the IMO as Project Manager for the 2013 Clare Concerto project, after this she was invited to become a core member of the group and appointed co-principal fiddle in 2018.

Liz Coleman is a fiddle player from Clondalkin in Dublin now living in Galway.

Liz’s early musical training included classical violin lessons with Una Lawlor allied with traditional fiddle lessons from Terry Crehan and Michelle O’Brien. As well as numerous traditional music groups, she has also played in the Dublin Youth Orchestra.

She is a graduate of Ceoltoír, the traditional Irish music course directed by Paul McGrattan through Ballyfermot College of Further Education. As a member of traditional group, Nábac, Liz has toured throughout Europe. Liz is currently living in Galway city.

She was featured fiddle player on Dave Flynn’s debut album ‘Draíocht’ and toured Ireland in 2008 with Dave Flynn, Hugh Buckley, Mairtín Tourish and Ciarán Swift as part of the Trad Connections tour.

In August 2013 she joined the Irish Memory Orchestra for the IMO’s performance with Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill & Mairtín O’Connor at the Feakle International Traditonal Music Festival. She was then appointed principal fiddle player.

Liz is also holds a Doctorate in Physics from the National University of Ireland in Galway where she worked as a research scientist and lecturer before becoming a full time professional musician.

Principal conductor of the Irish Memory Orchestra since its founding in 2012, Bjorn Bantock has an extensive performance schedule conducting numerous ensembles and orchestras internationally. He has performed in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, China, South Africa, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Russia, Malta, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom. Bjorn is also principal conductor of the Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. He has been a guest conductor for the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town, the European Bienniale in Naples and the Svanker Music Festival. Bjorn was also principal conductor for the  St Albans Symphony Orchestra, the London Medical Orchestra, the Europa Ensemble and the Film Score Spectacular Orchestra and the International String Orchestra Festival in Malta.

Bjorn is passionate about teaching and his main role is Head of Strings at Bedford School, north of London. He runs the Conducting Course for the National Schools Symphony Orchestra course in Malvern College and the Conducting Course for the Open Strings Festival in Denmark.  He also founded and is principal conductor for the London Chamber Strings which showcases London’s finest string professionals. Hand-picked specifically for their musical integrity and stunning virtuosity the London Chamber Strings are led by David Juritz.

Bjorn regularly conducts the Hertfordshire Philharmonia and worked as conductor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the London Contemporary Dance School and the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.

Bjorn has been broadcast live on the SABC, BBC and S4C and has recorded and produced CD’s for the Kingsway Record label.

Bjorn studied conducting with Colin Metters, Head of Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He has won numerous prizes, bursaries and scholarships including first prize in the Sir John Barbirolli competition, RNCM Contemporary Music Performance Prize
 and a Full International ABRSM Scholarship.

Awards & Prizes

Sir John Barbirolli Competition (1st prize)
RNCM Contemporary Music Performance Prize
Full International ABRSM Scholarship
Shirley Cattarall Award
Oude Meester Music Prize (finalist)
Oude Meester Chamber Music Prize (1st prize)
Hans Endler Prize
SAMRO National Bursary
Marjorie Hocken Bursary
Leonard Hall Memorial Prize
Anton Hartman Bursary
String Category Forte National Youth Music Competition (1st prize)
CAPAB Concerto Festival (1st prize)

Niamh is a violinist/violist/singer from Cork. She pursued a Bachelor of Music degree in the Cork School of Music that led her to roles such as principal violist with the CSM and RIAM Symphony Orchestras. She was Highest-Placed Violist in the Senior Recital Competition in the CSM and was awarded a bursary viola by the Music Instrument Fund of Ireland. She has participated in masterclasses with the world-renowned Yuri Bashmet among others.

In 2011, Niamh completed a Masters in Performance at the prestigious Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin, Ireland. Touring internationally to venues such Forte di Fenestrelle (Turin), Seoul National Theatre, Münich Philharmonic Hall and Carnegie Hall (New York). With tuition from the late Séamus Creagh, Niamh developed a strong foundation in traditional Irish music and toured North America with Comhaltas Ceóltóirí Éireann in 2008. She has featured in TG4 and RTÉ ads and TV programmes.

​Her distinctive singing has attracted much attention, leading to tours with groups such as Skellig, Loose and the leading Irish-American traditional group Solas of whom she was lead singer. She toured internationally with Solas until summer 2013 when her life took an important step with her marriage to her equally talented husband, accordionist Peter Staunton.

Niamh is a founding member of the Irish Memory Orchestra, who provides the IMO with a special versatility, switching between Principal Violin, Viola and Lead Vocals when required.