Fiachra Trench was born in Dublin in 1941. He studied science at Trinity College, Dublin and composition and organ at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with A. J. Potter and George Hewson. He pursued further musical studies at the Universities of Georgia and Cincinnati (where he gained an MMus degree) and, having been awarded the Macaulay Fellowship by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon, at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
From 1969 until 1991 he worked in London as composer, arranger, musical director and record producer. Since returning to live in Ireland he has worked principally in the area of music for film and television. His scores include those for Dear Sarah, A Love Divided and the major BBC documentary series, People’s Century. He has collaborated with Shaun Davey, Michael Kamen, Hans Zimmer and others on many film scores including Twelfth Night, Die Hard and Pearl Harbor.
Two of his orchestral works, MM: Symphonic Movement and Overture for Brass and Percussion, have been performed by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra has performed his Summer Suite (Five Pastiches for Orchestra).
As arranger/musical director he has worked with rock, pop and folk performers including Van Morrission, Elvis Costello, The Corrs and The Chieftains. He is musical director and pianist with the Carmel McCreagh Band.
“Music on the screen…is the communicating link between screen and audience, reaching out and enveloping all into one single experience.”(Bernard Herrman)