Irish In Britain

Ina Boyle (1889-1967) is a significant 20th-century Irish composer, yet her work remains relatively unknown. Born in County Wicklow, she spent her life in the tranquil surroundings of her family home, Bushey Park, where she composed a substantial body of chamber, vocal, orchestral, and choral works. Many of these manuscripts are preserved at Trinity College Dublin awaiting rediscovery.

As a woman navigating the major historical, social, and political shifts of 20th-century Ireland, Boyle persevered, leaving a legacy worthy of celebration. Her mentor, the great Ralph Vaughan Williams, recognized her talent, writing, ‘I think it is most courageous of you to go on with so little recognition. The only thing to say is that it sometimes does come finally.’

To realise Vaughan Williams' prediction, the Ina Boyle Society Limited (IBSL) was founded in 2020. This charity, led by Katie Rowan (a Boyle family relative) and chaired by musician Emma Coulthard, aims to promote, educate, and celebrate the life and works of Ina Boyle and other under-recognised Irish classical composers, particularly women, whose music deserves to be heard more widely.

IBSL works closely with Irish academic and cultural organisations to deliver Anglo Irish partnerships. Currently, Boyle's music is experiencing a resurgence, with performances across Ireland, Britain, and beyond. Recent highlights include performances at Ireland's 2024 Blackwater Valley Opera Festival's "Irish Melodies" recital, the "Music in Calary" Summer Series, Dublin’s National Concert Hall, and performances at London’s Wigmore Hall and by the BBC Concert Orchestra. Furthermore, a growing number of younger musicians are channelling Ina's music, bringing it back to life for a 21st-century audience.

About Ina Boyle

Irish composer Ina Boyle lived quietly with her family in Co. Wicklow and would travel regularly to London for lessons with Ralph Vaughan Williams, who thought highly of his Irish student.

Despite his encouragement and devoted to her family, Boyle’s isolation hindered her career, leading to her extensive, largely unperformed works (including symphonies, opera, and chamber music) being preserved in manuscript at Trinity College Dublin.

This archive, established through her friendship with composer Elizabeth Maconchy and later presented by Maconchy's daughter, Professor Nicola LeFanu, is now an invaluable resource for Irish classical music heritage. The Boyle Archive can be accessed via the TCD Digital Collection.

Ina Boyle image © The Board of Trinity College Dublin