National Concert Hall to spend €2.6m on new 'world class' pipe organ

Gordon Deegan

The National Concert Hall (NCH) is set to spend an estimated €2.6 million on a new ‘world-class’ pipe organ for the redeveloped main auditorium in the revamped NCH building.

The planned new pipe organ is described as a ‘work of art’ in new NCH tender documents and the pipe organ will be the centre-piece of the new main auditorium at Earlsfort Terrace looking onto Dublin’s St Stephen’s Green.

The NCH is seeking parties to design, construct, install and maintain a new pipe organ to replace the 1991 Jones Organ in situ.

The tender states that the NCH board “appreciates that commissioning a programme of work for the organ is unlike other fabric projects”.

The tender states that “it is akin to commissioning ‘a work of art’ and we hope to establish a positive partnership, and long-term relationship, with whichever firms wins the contract”.

The new pipe organ is part of a multi-million euro redevelopment of the NCH in Dublin that will double “the home of Irish music’s" economic contribution.

Last October, the Office of Public Works (OPW) obtained planning permission from Dublin City Council for the redevelopment describing it “a once in a multi-generational opportunity to provide a vital, world-class, cultural destination for music lovers, artists and visitors to Ireland.”

Asked about the estimated €2.6m cost contained in tender documents, a spokeswoman for the NCH said today: "The build, transport, fitting and fine-tuning makes this an exceptionally complex process.

"The estimated cost is based on the specification we have sent out, has been benchmarked against international cost comparisons and reflects the complexity and specialist nature of this unique instrument."

The spokeswoman said: “The installation of a new organ, in the revitalised main auditorium of the NCH will be a centrepiece of this project and a milestone moment for music in Ireland.”

She said: “The newly installed organ will enable the delivery of world-class organ recitals by renowned Irish and international organists, it will have extensive use as a key instrument in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra and other visiting orchestras.

"The organ will also be enjoyed by the very many choirs who sing at the National Concert Hall as an accompaniment in their various concerts."

The spokeswoman said: “A concert organ is a very large specialist instrument, which is carefully designed and customised to the venue. It is built offsite by a specialist organ builder. The time period for build is a minimum of three years."

She said: “We have retained the services of one of the world's leading Organ consultants, Dr. William McVicker, who has advised on the technical specification as well as the appropriate budget for an instrument of this calibre.”

The spokeswoman said: “The indicative figure of €2.6 million includes for regular site visits for tuning and maintenance over a ten year period."

In a nine page ‘Organ Report’ lodged with as part of the OPW planning application, Dr McVicker stated that “if public money is to be spent on the project, a world class organ should be expected”.

He said: “Such an instrument will need to be carefully designed to serve not only the organ repertoire, but to take place in the orchestral repertoire, adding subtlety and gravitas to musical textures when required, as well as drama when required to shine as a soloist in concertos and symphony music”.

The tender documentation states that the space allocated to the proposed new organ in the main auditorium is significantly greater than that occupied by the present organ and the most recent 2023 accounts for the NCH provide a €735,460 book value on the current pipe organ.

Closing date for tenders is May 30th and the NCH intends to sign a contract with the successful tenderer in September.

The NCH intends to remove the existing pipe organ in October 2026 and install the newly constructed pipe organ between November 2029 and April 2030.