New plaque unveiled in Enniskillen for local composer and pianist

by Gráinne Connolly

The Ulster History Circle has unveiled a blue plaque in Enniskillen to honour local pianist and composer, Joan Trimble. 

Joan was known for her significant contribution to Irish music and was regarded as the "doyenne of Irish composers". 

She was born in Enniskillen in 1915 and was educated at Enniskillen Collegiate School, becoming the first head girl in 1931. 

As an undergraduate at Trinity College, Dublin, Joan studied piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and attained her licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music in London. 

In 1938, along with her sister Valerie, she formed a two piano ensemble, leading them to become household names for some 40 years. 

When Joan's father died in 1967 she took over as managing director at the Impartial Reporter, commuting every 2 weeks from London to Enniskillen. 

In the 1970s she retired from music and returned to Enniskillen to run the local newspaper. 

Joan was awarded an honorary doctrate by Queen's University in 1985 and the Joan Trimble Bursary Awards were set up in 2002 to encourage young people in the performing arts. 

She died at the age of 85 in 2000.