By: Hazel McFarland, Fermanagh Trust
In County Fermanagh, the legacy of one of Ireland’s most distinguished musicians continues to shape the next generation of creative talent. The Joan Trimble Bursary Awards, administered by The Fermanagh Trust, stand as a lasting tribute to a woman whose influence on music remains profound.
Born in Enniskillen in 1915, Joan Trimble grew up in a household steeped in music. Her father, Egbert, a trained opera singer and her mother Marie, a violinist and teacher, fostered an environment where a love of music was abundantly accessible and encouraged. This early exposure shaped a lifelong expression of her classical music and Irish heritage; something that would define her work as both a composer and a performer.
Her studies took her from the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Trinity College Dublin to the Royal College of Music in London, where she trained under composers such as Herbert Howells and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Alongside her sister Valerie, she formed an internationally renowned piano duo, performing widely including appearances at the Proms and regular BBC broadcasts.
Yet Trimble’s legacy extends far beyond performance. Her compositions, rich in Irish influence but grounded in classical forms, earned widespread recognition. Works such as Phantasy Trio and Suite for Strings highlighted her distinctive voice, while her television opera Blind Raftery, commissioned by the BBC in 1957, marked a historic milestone as the first such commission awarded to a woman.
Today, that legacy lives on through the Joan Trimble Bursary Awards. Established in 2002 by her family, the fund’s purpose is to encourage the involvement of young people in creativity, the performing arts and Irish culture. Since its inception, it has supported over 200 young people and awarded more than £140,000. Initially overseen by her children Joanna, Nick and Caroline (who died in 2022), the fund is now led by her granddaughter, Liz McVey, who chairs the grant panel.
Reflecting on the fund’s evolution, Liz explains, “It has always been about continuing my grandmother’s connection to Fermanagh and her belief in nurturing talent. Supporting over 200 young people to date is something we’re incredibly proud of. It represents a real investment in the creative futures of young people here.”
The awards provide bursaries for individuals from Fermanagh up to the age of 25. The bursaries enable recipients to take advantage of opportunities such as specialist training, summer schools, masterclasses and international cultural programmes in all areas of the arts. For many, this support comes at a crucial stage in their artistic development.
“We work closely with The Fermanagh Trust, who administer a number of local funds including the Joan Trimble Bursary Awards,” Liz says. “We have a grant panel and together we decide who receives funding. There is always a great range of applications and it’s incredibly inspiring to see the level of talent and commitment among those applying.”
She adds, “What is particularly striking is the diversity of applicants. We see everything from drama, classical music to traditional music. We have supported composers of all types and performers in musical theatre. This reflects exactly what the fund has been set out to do: encourage creativity in all its forms.”
Recent recipients include Emily Creevy, a talented multi-instrumentalist, who attended Scoil Éigse in Wexford to focus on traditional Irish flute, while Dáire John Dunne, an accomplished Ulster Fleadh winner, also used his award to attend the same programme.
“Those kinds of opportunities can be transformative,” Liz notes. “For young musicians especially, being able to immerse themselves in that environment, learning from others, performing and building confidence. It can really shape their direction.”
The bursaries also support creative development. Moya Sweeney, for instance, used her funding to advance her musical ‘Daughters of Ceithleann’, taking an important step in her artistic journey.
Looking back over the years, Liz highlights the long-term impact the awards can have. “We’ve seen recipients go on to build successful careers in the arts. One example is tenor Andrew Irwin, who received support early on for vocal training and has since performed internationally with major opera companies. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that progression.”
Other recipients have used their bursaries to refine their technical skills and gain performance experience abroad, from prestigious summer schools, to youth orchestras performing in Belgium and France.
For Liz and the panel, however, the decision-making process remains one of the most challenging aspects. “The standard is consistently high and every applicant is clearly passionate about what they do. But that in itself is encouraging. It shows just how much talent there is across Fermanagh.”
At its core, the Joan Trimble Bursary Awards are about more than funding. They are about opportunity and encouragement. “Each year, we see young people taking meaningful steps forward,” Liz says. “Whether it’s attending a summer school or performing in new settings, the bursary can make a real difference at a pivotal moment.”
Joan Trimble herself was not only a gifted composer and performer but also a dedicated educator who believed in sharing knowledge and fostering talent. More than two decades after her death, her influence continues to resonate not only through her music, but through the young people who are now finding their own creative voices.
“The awards are about carrying that legacy forward,” Liz reflects. “Giving young people the chance to explore their potential and stay connected to the rich cultural traditions my grandmother valued so deeply.”