Éanna Monaghan was born in Belfast, and took up the bassoon aged 11. An alumnus of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, he later studied privately in Milan with Valentino Zucchiatti (Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala). He is currently based in London, and is the principal bassoon of English Touring Opera.

An experienced orchestral bassoonist, Éanna has performed, recorded and toured internationally with groups including the BBC Concert, BBC Symphony, Bournemouth Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Royal Scottish National and London Contemporary orchestras. At home, Éanna has worked regularly with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra. As an opera musician he has played for English National Opera, Irish National Opera, Scottish Opera and Wexford Festival Opera.

Theatre credits include Amadeus at the National Theatre, and period instrument work with the Gabrieli Consort.

Éanna greatly enjoys chamber music and solo performance, and is thrilled to be appearing at the Boyne Music Festival this year. He enjoys working with artists from other genres and disciplines, with recent collaborators including actor Ciarán Hinds, fiddle player Paddy Glackin and harper Úna Monaghan. 

Alongside reedmaking, teaching, parenting and running, Éanna has a keen interest in the development and promotion of the bassoon and more generally the double reed instruments in Ireland. 

He is supported by Music Network’s Music Capital Scheme, and funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Music Network is funded by The Arts Council.