How it all began

The 1980’s Ireland, which was in the throes of an economic recession, was an unlikely setting for high-profile international events. It was audacious to contemplate establishing an international piano competition in Ireland to rival other leading events in the world. But in 1987, that is what John O’Conor, already winner of international competitions including the Beethoven  and the Bösendorfer Competitions in Vienna, and Ann Fuller created. With Laurie Cearr, then PR Manager with the RTÉ Performing Groups, and Ida Delamer, the renowned silver expert, the embryonic management team launched the Dublin International Piano Competition, with the first competition taking place the following year, 1988.

The Competition offers a generous prize fund, but perhaps the most important prize is the prestigious list of engagements secured for the winner. These include début concerts in London and New York, as well as appearances at international festivals and multiple engagements throughout Ireland.  Previous winners have launched highly successful international careers from this springboard and have become high-profile names in the Irish and international musical scenes.

The Dublin International Piano Competition makes a dynamic contribution to the cultural enhancement of Dublin.  It is inclusive and impressive, bringing the Competitors on a unique journey with a rewarding result.

The Competition attracts an enormous international entry and is adjudicated by distinguished members of the music profession from around the world.  From 1988 until 2022 the Jury was chaired by the Competition’s Artistic Director John O’Conor.  In March 2023 Irish pianist Finghin Collins was appointed Artistic Director and Chairman of the Jury from the 2025 Competition onwards.

Corporate sponsorship has sustained the competition from the beginning. The first three competitions were generously supported by the GPA Group.  In 1994, sponsorship was taken over by Guardian Insurance, and when AXA acquired the company in 1999, AXA also took over title sponsorship for the next decade.

The Competition is now funded through a mix of statutory funding, corporate sponsorship, larger philanthropic donations and smaller individual benefactors.

The Dublin International Piano Competition is a member of the Alink-Argerich Foundation.

Previous winners currently engaged in successful careers include:

• 1988 Philippe Cassard, France
• 1991 Pavel Nersessian, Russia
• 1994 Davide Franceschetti, Italy
• 1997 Max Levinson, USA
• 2000 Alexei Nabioulin, Russia
• 2003 Antti Siirala, Finland
• 2006 Romain Descharmes, France
• 2009 Alexej Gorlatch, Ukraine
• 2012 Nikolay Khozyainov, Russia
• 2015 Nathalia Milstein, France
• 2018 Sae Yoon Chon, South Korea
• 2022 Yukine Kuroki, Japan

The Competition has supported young Irish pianists and fostered their talent since the inception of the event. A separate Irish Round is held for entrants who hold Irish nationality. Extensive mentoring programmes have enhanced the lives and careers of multiple Irish pianists down through the years.   The Charles J. Brennan Prize of €1,500 is awarded to the highest-placed Irish competitor in the DIPC, alongside engagements in Ireland including a concerto with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. In recent years, the McCullough Bursary of €7,500 has been added to the suite of prizes awarded to the highest-placed Irish competitor, making this a very significant award indeed.

Winners of the Brennan Prize at the DIPC since 1988 are as follows:

• 1988 Dearbhaile O’Donnell
• 1991 Dearbhla Collins
• 1994 Stuart O’Sullivan
• 1997 Finghin Collins
• 2000 Maria McGarry
• 2003 Cathal Breslin
• 2006 Michael McHale
• 2009 Fiachra Garvey
• 2012 Nadene Fiorentini
• 2015 Seán Morgan-Rooney
• 2018 Eoín Fleming
• 2022 Rowel Friers

Mission Statement

The Dublin International Piano Competition was established in 1987 with the following aims:

• To provide an opportunity for young Irish pianists to participate in an international competition of the highest standard;
• To bring to Dublin the world’s best young professional pianists;
• To offer the Competitors  the opportunity of being heard by international agents and press under concert conditions which will help launch them on a successful professional performing career;
• To present prizewinner recitals in major concert halls abroad, such as New York’s Carnegie Hall, and a debut recital in London, to broaden their career opportunities.
• To negotiate with and obtain agents to assist the progress of their careers;
• To promote the cultural identity of Ireland abroad;
• To generate a more widespread interest and awareness of the work of Irish composers by commissioning works which will be played in the quarter-finals of the Competition;
• To promote the performance of music through concerts which are not mainstream events.

Strategic Plan

Case For Support

International Case For Support

The Organisation

Patrons & Board of Directors

John Hannon (Chairperson)

John Hannon is a financier in the private capital space and involved with the BPVA staffing platform (comprising PE Global, Vantage, Sabeo, Brightwater, Raretec, Alternatives & Mentors) and the online training business Kubicle.  John also runs FinRes which is a corporate finance strategy business.   John is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries in Ireland.  John is a keen pianist and trained with Dr. John O’Conor at the Royal Irish Academy of Music – his favourite composers are Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and Gershwin.

Terms of Office since appointment to Board:
1st term: 2015 – 2018
2nd term: 2018 – 2021

Annual renewal commenced 2021 Appointed Chairperson: November 2015

John Hannon previously served on the Board for the following terms: 1st: 2004 – 2007 / 2nd. 2007 – 2010 / 3rd: 2010 – 2013

Pauline Ashwood

Pauline is Head of Planning for Irish National Opera. She previously worked for Opera Theatre Company, RTÉ Performing Groups and Opera Collective Ireland and was a volunteer for DIPC from 1997-2015. As a former freelance arts administrator, Pauline was the Founder Director of Drogheda Classical Music and Programme Director of Ardee Baroque Festival. Pauline has an MA in Cultural Policy and Arts Management (UCD), a BMusEd (TCD) and is a certified Project Management Professional. She studied voice in her undergrad, but her love of backstage and arts management was greater than any desire to become a performer.

Terms of Office since appointment to Board:
1st term: 2025 – 2028

Jane Susan Bourke

As a piano music enthusiast, Jane Bourke was thrilled to join the DIPC board in 2023.  She views the DIPC as a vital cultural asset for Dublin and Ireland.  Professionally, Jane is a solicitor specialising in intellectual property, and she brings extensive experience as an active member and chair of various legal committees.

Terms of Office since appointment to Board:
1st term: 2023 – 2026

Joseph Brennan

Joe Brennan was former Deputy  Chief of Protocol in the Department of Foreign Affairs.  Over the course of his 40 years in the Department he had postings in Brussels, The Hague, Paris, Jeddah, and Rome.  He continues to work with the department of foreign affairs in the presentation ceremonies by ambassadors to the president of Ireland    He has been involved with the DIPC since its foundation.  Amateur pianist –  no piano safe from playing!

Terms of Office since appointment to Board:
1st term: 1997 – 2000
2nd term: 2000 – 2003

Annual Renewal commenced: 2003

Tony Carey

Tony Carey was awarded his B. Comm. (1987) and his MBS (1988) from UCD.  On leaving university, he worked as a management consultant with Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) and IBM Business Consulting Services for a total of fifteen years.  In these roles he was primarily responsible for business development and the management of relationships with key clients, mainly in the financial services and educational sectors.

In 2003, he joined UCD as Director of Strategic Planning.  Tony has responsibility for UCD’s strategic change programme, risk management and major funding projects.

Tony is also Director of the UCD Ad Astra Performing Arts Academy.  Through this academy, UCD offers scholarship opportunities to young classical musicians and actors.  This programme encouragestop performing students who wish to continue to develop their artistic talents while at the same time pursuing a high-quality academic experience.

Terms of Office since appointment to Board:
1st term: 2019 – 2022
2nd term: 2023 – 2026

Philippa Cottle

Philippa Cottle is a solicitor, now partly retired, working in the aviation sector in Dublin.  A native of London, Philippa lived and worked in France and the United States before arriving in Dublin some 20 years ago.  She has held voluntary board positions for a number of not-for-profits and charities over the years.  She has been involved in music for most of her life and is a keen singer.  She completed her undergraduate studies at Bristol University and holds a diploma in mediation from University College, Dublin.

Terms of Office since appointment to Board:
1st term: 2023 – 2026

Killian Croke

Killian Croke is a partner in KPMG, specialising in the provision of audit & related services to large US-listed companies and entities engaged in aviation finance & leasing. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.  Killian’s interest and support for the DIPC is rooted in his daughters’ talents and commitment to piano music.  Killian was delighted to join to board and support the operations of, and ensure the continuation of, the DIPC for many years to come.

Terms of Office since appointment to Board:
1st term: 2025 – 2028

Yvonne Mays

Yvonne has been a friend and supporter of the Dublin International Piano Competition for many years, having been involved initially with the Competition through hosting competitors.  Yvonne is also a Board member of Wexford Festival Trust.  She has a deep love of music, plays piano and is a member of the Goethe Choir.  Yvonne has provided a great deal of help and support to DIPC particularly in Governance and Fundraising.

Terms of Office since appointment to Board:
1st term: 2013 – 2016
2nd term: 2016 – 2019

Annual Renewal commenced: 2019