The Adult Youth Orchestra of Ireland is the brainchild of founder and trailblazer, Barbara Dowling. A gap nationally for a symphony orchestra, something akin to the highly successful Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra, was identified. While there is wonderful orchestral work happening regionally, we believe this is the first all island, post- youth orchestra project of its kind to date. The aim being to bring together those past members of all youth orchestras from around the island of Ireland to explore the symphonic repertoire with musicians spanning the generations.