🎹 May 22–23, 2026 | Rathgar Methodist Church, Dublin 6
Running Order — 14th Annual National Piano Festival 2026
Rathgar Methodist Church, Brighton Road, Dublin 6 | Friday 22 & Saturday 23 May 2026
Friday 22 May 2026
1. Sing Wan Chieng
1. Shi Qi Qiu 2. Christopher Li 3. Varvara Gladkikh
4. Alice Dromey Marjelund 5. Léana Kelly 6. Tessa James
1. Evelyn Foran 2. Ellie Zhang 3. Aaron Yueming Zhang 4. Yu Jie Qiu
1. Daniel Zhu & Oscar Shi
1. Julien Huang 2. Leying Wang 3. Kacey Fang 4. Sofia Foran
5. Fiadh Crotty 6. Gabriel Oprisan 7. Ciara James 8. Daniel Zhu
Saturday 23 May 2026
1. Michael Delaney
1. Rachel Song 2. Oscar Shi 3. Daniel Zhu
1. Antonia Maria Culava Toma 2. Xin Wen 3. Zhi Xin Jiang 4. Sophia Cui 5. Zichen Wang
1. Alexander Gordon 2. Iciar Alvarez Postigo 3. Christina Wang
1. Brian Li 2. John Ding
1. Maeve Åshamar Hora 2. Emma Maguire
1. Ethan Bai 2. Gabriel Landmark 3. Maeve Åshamar Hora
1. Maeve Åshamar Hora
Clive Gouldson Award — Junior and Senior
The Piano Academy of Ireland is delighted to announce the 14th Annual National Piano Festival — our flagship competition celebrating young and adult pianists from across Ireland. The festival takes place on May 22–23, 2026 at Rathgar Methodist Church, Dublin 6, with the 20th Anniversary Celebration Concert on June 27, 2026.
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Festival Dates | May 22–23, 2026 |
| Registration Opens | 1st April 2026 |
| Entry Deadline | 10th May 2026 |
| Late Entry Deadline | Monday 11th May 2026 |
| 20th Anniversary Concert | June 27, 2026 |
Festival Adjudicators
Lance Coburn
Adjudicator
Mary Lennon
Adjudicator
Festival Categories
- Solo Under 6 years
- Solo Under 8 years
- Solo Under 10 years
- Solo Under 12 years
- Sonatina Under 12 years
- Solo Repertoire Under 12 years
- Solo Under 14 years
- Solo Under 16 years
- Solo Under 18 years
- Solo Etude Open (any age)
- Piano Concerto Open (any age)
- Solo Adult Bronze — Pre-Grade 5
- Solo Adult Silver — Post-Grade 5
- Duet Under 12 years
- Duet Under 16 years
Registrations Are Now Closed
Thank you to everyone who registered for the 14th Annual National Piano Festival 2026. Registrations are now closed. Please see the running order above.
Prizes & Awards
All participants receive adjudicator feedback, a certificate, and a free gift. 1st place receives a cup & gold medal, 2nd place a silver medal, and 3rd place a bronze medal
🏆 Virtuoso Cup — €125 cash prize
Awarded to the winner of the Solo Etude Open category, together with a cash prize of €50.
🌿 Emerald Award — Best performance of an Irish composer in any category — €75
Presented to the best performance of a piece by an Irish Composer from any category, together with a cash prize of €50.
🎹 Bob Smyth Cup — € — €150
A cash prize of €100 awarded to the winner of the Piano Concerto Open category.
🎖️ The Clive Gouldson Awards
A cash prize of €100 presented to the Overall Junior Pianist — €150.
A cash prize of €200 presented to the Overall Senior Pianist — €300.
🎁 Participation Prize: All participants will receive a pack of the Pokemon Trading Card Game!