Camerata Ireland was founded in 1999 by pianist Barry Douglas as a response to the ground- breaking Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement. The first concerts were on consecutive days in April 1999 in Stormont Parliament Buildings (N Ireland) and St Patrick’s Hall in Dublin Castle. The ethos of Camerata Ireland is to bring together the finest musicians who live and work in Ireland, both North and South, and Irish musicians who work and live abroad. In recognition of the exceptional nature and quality of its work, Camerata Ireland was awarded the Joint Patronage of Mary McAleese, President of Ireland and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2004.