The Music Association of Ireland was set up in 1948 to improve the position of classical music within the cultural life of Ireland which undertook its greatest challenge to date when it organised a festival of concerts and lectures to commemorate the bicentenary of the death of Johann Sebastian Bach in 1960, where for several months, members raised funds and tried to source Baroque instruments.
In 1950 the MAI undertook its greatest challenge to date when it organised a festival of concerts and lectures to commemorate the bicentenary of the death of Johann Sebastian Bach. 
