Classical Notes: Farmer Garvey reaps the rewards

Pianist Fiachra Garvey last year launched the West Wicklow Festival to great acclaim in Russborough House, a mansion with great music tradition just down the road from his family farm

Fiachra Garvey is bringing a world-class classical line-up to his home county for the West Wicklow Festival at Russborough House later this month Pic: Alan Place

Pianist Fiachra Garvey may have his ear to the ground when it comes to agricultural matters, but when it comes to music, he’s looking at the stars.

The Wicklow-born farmer, who abandoned veterinary studies to pursue classical music as a career, is one of Ireland’s finest international performers and admits to still keeping a close eye on milk quotas and beef prices and, of course, fodder stocks on the family farm.

But Garvey ...