Ernestine's multifaceted career encompasses not only performance and education but also scholarly research and creative composition in Irish traditional music. Her first-class Masters degree from the University of Limerick is a testament to her academic prowess. As a composer, she features in the recently published ‘Folk Tunes from the Women’ book curated by Kathryn Tickell, with her inaugural 'Meitheal Suite' (2008) commanding the stage with a hundred traditional musicians, including a celebrated performance at Dublin's National Concert Hall. Her subsequent Meitheal suites, 'Jiggy (2016)', 'Anam (2022)' and 'Cairdeas (2023)' have garnered acclaim, with 'Cairdeas' featuring in TG4's Fleadh 2023. Commissioned works, like ‘The Tionól Suite’ for Music Generation Laois' 10th anniversary in 2023, showcase her ability to unite young musicians in celebration of the arts. 

The Tionól Suite (commission by Music Generation Laois 2023)

Cairdeas (commission by Meitheal Summer School 2023)

Anam (commission by Meitheal Summer School 2022)

Jiggy (commission by Meitheal Summer School 2016)

The Meitheal Suite (commission by Meitheal Summer School 2008)

WIND IN THE WILLOWS SHOW MUSIC (2004)