Meet the school directors
With more than 35 years of collective music teaching under their belts, Cillian & Sarah are excited to help guide prospective musicians as they begin, continue and pursue a dream of music learning and growing.
Proudly hailing from Templemore, Co. Tipperary, Cillian was introduced to traditional music by his parents and by Joe Barry, shortly before taking tin whistle lessons from Kathleen and John Nesbitt at the age of 7. He then progressed to the bagpipes with the Thomas McDonagh Pipe Band, Templemore, following in his father’s footsteps, under the stewardship of Joe Barry. His first official performance with the band was in October 2005, a mere 10 months after taking his first lesson. Enthusiasm and diligence was evident from the outset. Combining the whistle and the piping skills, Cillian then began finding his way around a practice set of uilleann pipes in 2009 and by late 2010 was fully immersed in the world of traditional Irish music and piping.
He began teaching music with Cill Shléibhe Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in 2011 when the branch was revived. Still actively teaching in the branch, Cillian’s main focus in Cill Shléibhe is coaching and mentoring Grúpaí Cheoil for Fleadhanna Cheoil whilst exposing children to a broad range of musical repertoire and arrangement. Outside of the Comhaltas branch, Cillian has taught and guided several uilleann pipers to All-Ireland glory.
Cillian achieved All-Ireland success himself, alongside Sarah and other friends, in 2018 as a proud and founding member of Tairseach Senior Grúpa Cheoil.
Graduating with a First Class Honours degree in Irish Music & Dance from the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick, Cillian then pursued his passion for education and obtained a Professional Masters in Education (Primary) from Hibernia College. He currently teaches at St. Joseph’s Primary School, Templemore. Cillian also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management from Mary Immaculate College.
Cillian is currently a senior member of the Thomas McDonagh Pipe Band under the continuing stewardship and watchful eye (and ear!) of Pipe Major Joe Barry. Cillian also enjoys adjudicating at various Fleadhanna Cheoil, most recently at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford.
Through the foundation of the Roche School of Music, Cillian aims to provide high quality music lessons in a way that is supportive and encouraging for all whilst striving to enhance the cultural fabric of the area.
“We are the music makers. We are the dreamers of dreams” (O’Shaughnessy, 1873)
Cillian Roche
Born into a significant dynasty and legacy of music, Sarah began playing music at a very early age in her beloved Newport, Co. Tipperary. Surrounded by a family of music, she began playing the tin whistle and piano under the watchful eye of piano master, Mary McAuliffe - her mother - and later taking guidance from Valerie Walsh. She was gifted a concertina by her grandparents for her Communion and so began taking lessons under the stewardship of Katie O’Sullivan and Deirdre McDonald. This was the beginning of a very successful life, career and love for music.
Sarah began teaching music, following in her mother and uncle’s (Denis Carey, Newport & Peter Dee Academy, Limerick) footsteps at the age of 14. As a musician and performer, Sarah has achieved numerous successes throughout classical and traditional music. A highlight of Sarah’s musical journey is the winning of not one, but two All-Ireland medals - 2018 as a founding member of Tairseach, alongside Cillian and other friends, as well as a coveted All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band medal as a member of the Cnoc na Gaoithe Céilí Band, based in Tulla. Sarah also completed Grade 8 Piano through the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
Sarah’s love and passion for music extends beyond the performing realms. Graduating from the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick with a Bachelor of Arts with Music, she then went on to pursue a Masters in Irish Traditional Music Performance from the same institution, her alma mater. Sarah also holds a Teastas i dTeagasc Ceolta Tíre (TTCT) teaching diploma from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
In 2017, Sarah coupled her love of music and teaching and began a further journey of learning, completing a Professional Masters of Primary Education at Mary Immaculate College.
Through the foundation of the Roche School of Music, Sarah aims to facilitate a range of top quality music lessons in an environment where creativity grows, talent is nourished and developed and music is passed on and appreciated by all.
Sarah Roche
Ready to Start Your Musical Journey?
Whether you’re sure about investing in your musical talents or simply just want to enquire, fill out the form and we shall be in contact as soon as possible!