Éanna Ní Lamhna: "Every day you should say ‘I never knew that’. It keeps your brain going"

The nature broadcaster has taken up flute lessons as part of a nationwide scheme by Music Network that encourages people to learn a musical instrument, no matter what age they are 

Eanna Ní Lamhna with her flute in Kilrush, Co Clare. Picture: Eamon Ward

In the late afternoon every second Tuesday, Éanna Ní Lamhna retreats to her bedroom for her half-hour online flute lesson with Caitriona Ryan, principal flautist with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra.

The naturalist and broadcaster has taken up a challenge set by Music Network to learn to play a musical instrument, get sponsorship to do so from friends and family and achieve Grade 1 standard, with exams to be held this summer. The aim of the Grade-1-a-thon Challenge is to help raise €50,000 to establish a national bank of musical instruments for use by people over the age of 65.