One of the best parts of our job is getting to know the amazing musicians who perform at Triskel. Fionnuala Moynihan has performed with us many times and is always charming, interesting and creative. As well as being a wonderfully talented pianist!
Who is your hero? My husband and my family, they are and always will be my heroes because of who they are, their goodness, their kindness and their strength. I admire people who are good, true, courageous and inspirational. I admire those who turn away from being ‘the same as everyone else’ and who follow their dreams. I admire those who do not cause people harm and who respect the hopes and dreams of others. On a purely musical note I admire the great women pianists of the past such as Annie Fischer and Clara Schumann.
If you could perform anywhere, where would it be? I was meant to be performing in the Cairo Opera House in Egypt and in both Moscow and Socchi in Russia last year until they were both postponed due to COVID-19 so I really hope I get to perform in those stunning countries and venues when it is safe to do so. I am looking forward so much to performing to wonderful audiences and to performing some amazing music! To be truly honest I love performing internationally and I am always incredibly excited when I am invited to do so. Where to next…… U.S.A would be lovely and I wouldn’t say no to New Zealand either as I have always wanted to go there!
What is your favourite thing about your career? I love practicing! I love learning and exploring new music. I adore waking up each day knowing I have some concert or performance to prepare for. I have been performing since a very young age. That moment when I step out onto the stage is so special. In that moment you can bring a piece of music to life, you can create a world of dreams, you can communicate in a special way with your audience. I love my career…. it is simply who I am.
What motivates you to work hard? I appreciate all the wonderful opportunities I have had and do have in my life, the wonderful gift of music and music lessons my parents gave to me, the beautiful places I get to perform in, the wonderful colleagues I get to work with, the beautiful life I have with my husband and the wonderful musical family that I am a part of. What motivates me? I want to make them proud, I want to be the best that I can be and I want to never let this amazing world of music be forgotten.
What makes you laugh the most? Gifs !!!! Especially ones with smiling dogs, muppets or sheep!
What would you sing at a Karaoke night? In truth you probably would have a difficult time to get me to stop singing. I love singing and if I were not a pianist that would have been my next choice! I love songs by David Gray, the Eagles, songs with a good tune!
Would you rather win the Lotto or work at the perfect job? Why? I work in the perfect job! But I do not believe anyone who says they would not like to win the lotto. I think my husband would like me to win the lotto too!!! If I won euro millions I would buy a beautiful piano for some of the most wonderful music venues in the country that currently do not have one. If I won the lotto we would visit every country in the world and have a beautiful home in the Mediterranean.
List two pet peeves Hmm… I don’t like when people are not punctual, when they are loud, messy or badly behaved! And I really dislike when music is too loud in cafes or bars making it difficult to have a nice chat!
What three things would you take with you to a desert island? I would take my favourite people and leave all the technology behind!
If you ruled your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce? I am not sure where to start. The world is very unfair and I think a great many changes have to occur in society to make it in any way fair, safe and wholesome.
Fionnuala has curated our upcoming Mozart Festival and will perform some beautiful pieces 2 and 3 April – get your tickets here!
