Community choir from Clondalkin set to perform at the Vatican next year

A community choir in the heart of Clondalkin has blossomed from local rehearsals to an international stage at the Vatican.

The North Clondalkin Community Choir, led by Musical Director Noel J Collins, is gearing up for two exclusive performances at the Vatican in Rome, and Assisi in central Italy in March next year.

The group is travelling with a specialist company called Myriam travel who bring performing groups to Rome. The choir will be singing at the Vigil Mass in the Vatican in St Peter’s Basilica, and in the Basilica in the town of Assisi.

“It’s an exciting new intergenerational choir with over 50 members. It began in September 2022 in response to the isolation that many experienced due to multiple Covid lockdowns,” Mr Collins said.

“This is a privilege afforded to very few choirs. It came about following enquiries I made last year as many choir members were joking about performing in Rome.

“I studied Theology and Music in Mater Dei and Clonliffe College and I would have travelled to Rome a number of times with the College for performances in front of Pope John Paul II.

“We hope Pope Francis will be in residence for our performance, however, this still needs to be confirmed. Even our programme of music requires Vatican approval in advance.

“We’ll be the only choir performing in the Vatican at the time, there won’t be any other choirs singing.

“Our choir is becoming a force within the community, providing members access to quality music education specialising in the art of choral music and instrumental tuition, which, in turn, directly supports the mental health of our members.

“While we initially rehearsed in the North Clondalkin Library, our membership has grown considerably, necessitating a larger rehearsal space.”

The choir recently enjoyed a Masterclass in Sacred Choral Music led by Dr Ite O’Donovan, founder of the Dublin Choral Society.

“I spent a most enjoyable evening with the recently established North Clondalkin Community Choir in Rowlagh Church,” she said. “The singers were wonderfully enthusiastic and ready for new challenges.

“Young and old were eager to learn how to read music notation, and we sang through six new pieces in Latin, English and Irish, reading from the score.

“After working on each piece, the choir members stood up to give a little performance … it was a taste of what is yet to come.”

The choir is set to host its upcoming Christmas Concert in Rowlagh Church on December 16, featuring the Astral String Quartet and Linda McGann, serving as a “preview to their international debut”.

Continuing to grow, the choir “warmly welcomes” new members in January of next year.

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