Posted by in News.


Although we are well and truly into the new year, many of our Choir Members have special memories of Christmas, due to their visit to Maynooth on Sunday 21st–Monday 22nd December.

This trip was undertaken in order to participate in Gay Byrne’s Concert of Carols which is a live recording for his Radio Programme on the Monday before Christmas—this is an annual event. The Concert is performed by a gathering of choirs from all over the country, together with a male and female soloist and a boy soprano, and accompanied by the Concert Orchestra from the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

All participants were expected to attend for rehearsal on the Sunday afternoon and the setting this year, in the Chapel in Mayoooth College, was absolutely spectacular. There were between 500 and 600 voices combining to raise the roof with the traditional outpouring of seasonal favourites. Attendance at the practice certainly sets the scene for the actual concert and puts everyone right into the atmosphere of Christmas.

Some Claregalway choir members spent the Sunday night in the Clerical Students accommodation in the College and there could be a tale or two to relate there, but enough said! All were present and correct bright and early on the Monday morning and I think anyone who may have been tuned in, would agree that the concert was a huge success. Everyone considered it a wonderful start to Christmas week and a welcome escape from the commercial angle which predominates this time of year.

Hopefully we will repeat the experience next year, and that more of our members will be able to join us.