Who We Are

Since 1987 when Valerie Pakenham and Norman Ruddock decided to arrange concerts in the Great Hall, a voluntary group of dedicated local music lovers (the Derravaragh Music Association) has worked to bring worldclass musicians to Tullynally for audiences from across the midlands and around the country.

Over the years, this dedicated group has continued, with some retiring and others continuing to join and support the DMA. We owe a huge debt of thanks to these volunteer committee members past and present. In 2018, the DMA was formally set up as a company limited by guarantee with a small board of directors working along with the volunteer committee. The board and committee all give their time free of charge and in doing so, enable the concerts to continue.

In 2023, we were hugely saddened by the death of the DMA founder, our patron and friend, Valerie Pakenham. We miss her greatly as will the many performers who were welcomed to Tullynally with her warm hospitality. Thomas Pakenham has agreed to continue the tradition and has honoured the DMA by agreeing to be our patron for the future.

Our Patron: Thomas Pakenham

Our Board:

• Sheila Pratschke (Chair)
• Una Fitzgibbon (Co Secretary)
• Eliza Chisholm
• Muireann Sheahan

Our Volunteer Committee:

• Octavia Tulloch
• Hugh Logan
• John Farrell
• Dawn Harmon
• Charney Weitzman
• Maire Weitzman

New volunteers are always welcome so please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested in helping us. 

Support us - donations

Help us continue to maintain a season of autumn and spring concerts for audiences in Westmeath and neighbouring counties. Ticket sales are kept at a reasonable price so that the concerts are as widely accessible as possible to all local members as well as the wider community and especially to young audiences. However, given the quality of the musicians that perform at Tullynally, ticket sales can never alone cover the cost of these concerts and justifiably so, these are performers of world class standing and need to be treated accordingly. This is why donations are so important.

To donate, please give as generously as you can using bank transfer to the following account

Derravaragh Music Association

Bank of Ireland

IBAN IE03 BOFI 9018 5385 8937 24

BIC BOFIIE2D

Please ensure you put your name on the bank transfer and please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to advise that you have made a donation so we can confirm and acknowledge receipt.