The NRH recently received in the most beautiful and generous donation of a Baby Grand Piano from the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM). 

Tim Rice, an ex-patient of the NRH, and Rebecca O’Connor, Senior Music Therapist, were initially contacted by the RIAM with the offer of this very generous donation in 2019.  Brendan Breslin and Aoife Cuthbert from the Academy visited the NRH and observed the therapeutic choir during one of their sessions, which is run by the NRH Music Therapy Service.  During this visit they were able to see first-hand the huge benefits of music therapy for the patients of the NRH.  Following on from this visit they expressed an interest in developing possible links between the RIAM and the NRH Music Therapy Service. The donation of the baby grand piano marks the beginning of this relationship between the NRH and the RIAM, a relationship which will also involve music students from the RIAM coming to work with Rebecca in the therapeutic choirs and music therapy groups, in addition to performing regularly for the NRH patients. This will enable all the students who visit the Hospital to experience, and gain additional knowledge of, the direct impact that music therapy can play in an individual’s unique rehabilitation journey through the NRH.  

The NRH would like to sincerely thank the RIAM for this very generous and unique donation which will enable more patients to benefit from music at the NRH for many years to come.