Peter Barley

Peter Barley teaches piano and organ in the school, and is also one of the staff accompanists. In addition to his educational work, Peter is Organist and Choirmaster of St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick.

Peter moved to Ireland in 2002 to take up the position of Organist at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, a post he held for eight years prior to his move to Limerick. Peter began his professional career in London, where he was Director of Music at St Marylebone Church, as well as regularly accompanying such choirs as the Corydon Singers, the London Concert Choir and Canticum.

Peter studied at King’s College, Cambridge (where he was an organ scholar) and as a postgraduate student at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

As an organist, Peter has performed at many UK venues including St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Bridgewater Hall. He has also played at most of the main Irish recital venues, and whilst living and working in Canada he played in all the regular ‘noon-hour’ organ recital series in Toronto.

Whilst still at school, he also developed a keen interest in accompaniment, both on the organ and on the piano, and he has consistently worked in that role throughout his career.

A former Director of the Edington Festival of Music within the Liturgy, Peter also spent six years as Chair of RSCM Ireland. He is now closely involved in the Limerick Pipe Organ Festival.