The Limerick Choral Festival will return on March 6 and 7 maintaining a cherished tradition of choral excellence that has enriched the city for more than seven decades.
Ireland’s only choral festival dedicated predominantly to sacred music will welcome over 30 choirs from across the country, including ensembles from Clare, Westmeath, Waterford, Offaly, Dublin, Cork and Tipperary, alongside a strong local contingent.
Events will take place at Mount St. Alphonsus (Redemptorists) and St. Joseph’s Church on O’Connell Avenue, with competitions commencing at 11am on Friday March 6. Among the participating Limerick choirs are Limerick Educate Together National School Choir, John F. Kennedy Memorial School Choir, Milford National School Choir, and Shountrade National School Choir.
The festival’s roots stretch back to the 1950s, when a plainchant festival was established at St. John’s Cathedral to nurture sacred music appreciation among school choirs.
The Church Music International Festival later became a flagship St Patrick’s week event throughout the late 1970s and 1990s, drawing international participation before its discontinuation in 2000.
A unified city-wide choral event launched in 2004, evolving into today’s Limerick Choral Festival of Sacred Music – a distinctive platform for choirs performing liturgical, inspirational and spiritual repertoire.
This year’s programme features sacred repertoire, gospel, early music and contemporary choral works. Dr Bernie Sherlock of Dublin and Mr Peter Stobart of Cork will serve as adjudicators, bringing extensive expertise to guide participating choirs.
The festival opens with a concert at St. Joseph’s Church on Friday March 6 at 7.30pm, featuring Aoide Voices, conducted by Owen Gilhooly-Miles, and Limerick Chamber Choir, directed by Máire Keary Scanlon.
Doors open at 7pm, with free admission and a retiring collection.
All competitions and events are open to the public. Further information is available at www.limerickchoralfestival.com.