Ina Boyle, who bequeathed her Betts cello to the RCM in 1967, was the most prolific and significant female composer from Ireland before 1950. Her first music lessons were with her father, Reverend William Foster Boyle, and she was taught the violin and cello by her governess. She began to compose at an early age and studied composition with private teachers in Dublin. In 1923 she made the journey to the UK for lessons with Ralph Vaughan Williams, then a teacher at the RCM, who thought highly of her music. Sadly, due to the outbreak of the Second World War, she had to end her travels. Ina continued to compose throughout her life and her friend and contemporary at the RCM, Elizabeth Maconchy, noted that, as a result of her isolation, her music was not well known.

John Betts (1752–1823) was apprenticed in 1765 to Richard Duke, another successful British luthier of the time, and subsequently purchased his business. Betts went on to employ many eminent makers including Vincenzo Panormo, Joseph and Henry Lockey Hill, and John Furber. Betts was the leading instrument dealer of his time in London and one of the first to import Italian instruments. Not only is Ina's Betts cello a fine string instrument, now played by young RCM musicians, but it also embodies an inspiring and personal history.

The Wild Geese - For Small Orchestra

A documentary about Ina Boyle produced by Claire Cunningham in 2012 for RTÉ lyric fm, featuring contributions from Nicola LeFanu, Ita Beausang is available to listen to on demand here. Performance of The Wild Geese performed by the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) conducted by Laurent Pillot St John's Smith Square, London as part of the Europe Day Concert in 2013

The Magic Harp - For Orchestra

An archival recording of The Magic Harp from 1919 performed by the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra and Proinnsías Ó Duinn.

Violin Concerto

Violin Concerto (1935) performed by Catherine Leonard and the Ulster Orchestra, conductor Kenneth Montgomery at a BBC Invitation Concert at the Ulster Hall in August 2010.

Glencree - Symphony No.1

Glencree Symphony 1, for orchestra from 1927. Conducted by Kenneth Montgomery.