3. Folk Influences in Contemporary Irish Music

Lynsey Callaghan (IE)

Conductor

Lynsey Callaghan is passionate about providing opportunities for excellence in youth choral music. In 2024, she was appointed Principal Conductor of the UK's National Youth Choir (9-15) and in 2025 she became Creative Director of Irish Youth Choir (14-17). Since 2020, she has been Head of Programmes, Research and Academics at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

In October 2017, Lynsey founded Dublin Youth Choir. Dublin Youth Choir aims to connect young people from across Dublin and the surrounding areas through the provision of choral music education. From 2015-2026 she was the Artistic Director of the Belfast Philharmonic Youth and Chamber Choirs. Both the Belfast Philharmonic Youth and Chamber Choirs and Dublin Youth Choir are rooted in a shared educational philosophy inspired by the Kodály approach, placing musicianship development at the core of their work. The two organisations have collaborated on various initiatives as the Cross Border Youth Choir and performed with the Ulster Orchestra in 2026 to celebrate the Belfast Philharmonic Youth Choir's 20th anniversary and a decade of Lynsey's artistic leadership. 

Lynsey also enjoys working with adult and professional choirs. She has spent over a decade as Music Director of Tallaght Choral Society, where she has led a wide range of ambitious choral-orchestral projects. She has also served as chorus master for Chamber Choir Ireland, the country's flagship professional vocal ensemble. 

Following a degree in music education (Trinity College Dublin and DIT Conservatory of Music), which included studies at the Kodály Institute in Hungary, and a master's degree in choral conducting (Royal Irish Academy of Music), Lynsey Callaghan completed a PhD in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.

Patrick Barrett (IE)

Conductor

Patrick Barrett (he/him) is a conductor specialising in choral music and opera. Currently a chorus director with the RSNO Youth Choruses, the Royal Opera House Youth Opera Company, the Irish Youth Choir (18-28 years), National Youth Choirs (9-15 years), and the award-winning Farnham Youth Choirs, Barrett previously conducted the Irish Youth Choir (14-17 years).

Recent highlights include conducting the RSNO Youth Chorus in performances with Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Benjamin Grosvenor, and Nicola Benedetti. He also led Farnham Youth Choir to two gold medals at the World Choir Games 2024 in New Zealand. He has premiered works by Errolyn Wallen, Jonathan Brigg, and others.

Barrett’s commitment to youth choral music extends to preparing choruses for the Edinburgh International Festival, and for major international performances by the Dunedin Consort. As a dedicated music educator, he has worked with organisations including The Sixteen, BBC Singers, Wigmore Hall, and Aldeburgh Young Musicians, and has spoken at the Post Primary Music Teachers Association in Ireland.

Barrett collaborates with leading UK opera companies like the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, and Garsington Opera. He previously conducted the University of Birmingham’s Upper Voices Choir, University of Reading Chamber Choir, and Brockham Choral Society.