About Us
In 1848 a number of musical enthusiasts in Dublin formed an association to found an Academy to "provide systematic instruction in instrumental music". Among them were John Stanford, father of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, RM Levey (the leading Dublin violinist of the time), the Rev Charles Graves and Joseph Robinson.
The Academy held its first classes in the Ancient Concert Rooms in Pearse Street before moving to No 18 St Stephen's Green. In 1871 the Academy moved to its present home at 36 Westland Row, acquiring the two neighboring houses of Nos 37 and 38 in 1911.
Although it became "Royal" in 1872, it did not receive its present constitution until 1889 when, as the beneficiary of Elizabeth Strean Coulson, it received over £13,000. Together with another significant bequest from J Ormsby Vandeleur, this enabled an Order in Council to be effected under the Educational Endowments (Ireland) Act of 1885, which bestowed stability and structure on the institution.
More recently a major change in the Academy's constitution was the decision in the 1980s to appoint a Director. This positive step made it possible to restructure the administration of the Academy and to introduce a series of management strategies which have ensured the Academy's unmistakable vibrancy and future health.