The National Concert Hall awarded their 'Rising Star' accolade to violinist Elizabeth Cooney in 2006 and, for the coming year, that title has been bestowed upon a Dublin flautist, Emer McDonough. The award is a hugely important one, allowing the recipient the opportunity to give a full evening's recital in Ireland's most prestigious music venue.

Emer's CV already tells a story of vast successes. She was a prizewinning finalist in the 1997 Shell London Symphony Orchestra competition and performed the Mozart flute concerto with that orchestra as a result. Her first orchestral post was as principal flute of the Hong Kong Philharmonic, from 1999 to 2001. "At the time, I didn't realise I was cutting my teeth really, " Emer said. "It was an intense music-making experience and I learned so much there. I'm glad I had that learning experience there and not in the UK. I felt very seasoned when I did come back then."

The Bournemouth Symphony were the next orchestra to engage her talents, with whom she worked until 2004, and Emer now enjoys the prestige of playing as guest principal flute with the UK's highest-ranked orchestras - the London Symphony, the Philharmonia, BBC Symphony, London and Royal Philharmonic, Halle, Royal Liverpool, City of Birmingham? the list is as endless as it is astoundingly accomplished.

She is regularly invited to perform here, naturally, and feels a "very intense pull home". Aside from appearances with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the RTة Orchestras - she gave the Irish premier of a Christopher Rouse concerto with the National Symphony Orchestra recently - Emer also gives masterclasses regularly at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and the College of Music. Indeed, she has a sentimental attachment to the former institution.

At the age of eight years old, Emer began her studies at the RIAM with Doris Keogh, under whose guidance she remained until she was 18.

"Doris is a truly amazing teacher. She gave me a very thorough and pure teaching. I did what I was told and I daren't not have! She taught me that you must play every note with care.

Because of her, I was much more prepared for college than a lot of my peers were. By the time I started with Peter Lloyd in the Royal Northern in Manchester, there was no weeding to do, as such. She always used to say to me, 'Emer, I'm talking to you like a professional, ' so by the time I was 10, I knew what I wanted to do with my life."

Busy with her career and being a mother to an eight-month-old son, Emer will be putting in hours of preparation with longterm accompanist Jeremy Young for the big recital on 7 February.

Her chosen programme, varied, colourful and very challenging, which will include Prokofiev and Bach and a piece by the winner of the NCH's Young Composer's competition, requires a "different kind of stamina and approach".

The full evening recital is her favourite musical niche. "You have a full opportunity to really show what you can do."

Emer will appear in her homeland again afterward with the RTة Concert Orchestra on 22 March and as part of the 'Music for Great Irish Houses' series at the National Gallery on 16 June so you will have ample opportunity in 2007 to chart the progress of this star.

Much done, more to achieve, Emer?

"As long as I'm playing the notes well, that's all that matters."