The National Chamber Choir (NCC) of Ireland was founded in 1991 by Karina Lundström and composer and conductor Colin Mawby. It is an independent, full-time professional ensemble, with its seventeen members drawn from the ranks of Europe's top singers. In 1995 the National Chamber Choir became Choir-in-Residence at Dublin City University, a move that has made a very significant impact on the security and future development of the group. The choir performs regularly at the National Gallery of Ireland, Queen's University in Belfast and also undertakes national and international tours. The National Chamber Choir is funded mainly through grant aid from the Arts council of Ireland, the Arts council of Northern Ireland, a contract with RTÉ, and funding from the Department of Education and Science (Ireland).
From May 2002 to January 2007 the choir's conductor was Cologne-based Celso Antunes, who succeeded Colin Mawby. In February 2008, it was announced that Paul Hillier has been appointed Artistic Director and Chief Conductor. Paul Hillier joined the organisation in June 2008.
The choir has worked with many of Ireland and Europe's leading choral conductors including Hans-Christoph Rademann, Marcus Creed, Stefan Parkman and most recently Odaline de la Martinez, Stephen Layton, Erwin Ortner and Catherine Simonpietri.