‘Choirs for Gaza’ concert raised almost €8,000
The enCÓRe vocal group performing at the 'Choirs for Gaza' concert in St. Clare's Church, Graiguecullen Photos: Michael O'Rourke Photography
CHOIRS from all across the community of Carlow and beyond sang their hearts out in sympathy and support for the people of Gaza.
Among the many highlights of the recent Féile an Fhómhair was an amazing choral concert when a total of 14 choirs performed in the event held in St Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen.
Choirs for Gaza was an initiative of Glór Cheatharlach and the Pan Celtic Festival Committee in association with St Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen. Midway through the concert a moving reflection on the theme of war versus peace was delivered by the Poor Clare Sisters, as parish youth worker Caithríona Kelly displayed harrowing images of devastation and poverty from Gaza. The Poor Clares choir continued with the sweetest singing of .
A collection for Gaza, organised by Isobel Brooker and the parish team, took place during which all of the musicians combined for a haunting rendition of the slow air .
The staggering amount collected has already reached almost €8,000, with still more donations and collections pledged. There were no costs associated with , with all publicity covered by Wise Eyes Creative, AZAP Print, Touchpoint, , KCLR and Beat FM.
Parish priest Fr John Dunphy thanked everybody for giving their time and talent to ensure an amazing evening of singing as a token of solidarity for the suffering and hungry people of Palestine.
An impromptu workshop by Mary Amond O’Brien led all choirs to sing , a plea for peace which she based on .
A rendition of brought the evening to a close.
The parish and community choirs that featured were the Graiguecullen and Killeshin male, female and youth choirs, Carlow Community choir, enCÓRe vocal group, Castledermot’s Assumption Choir, St Mary’s Parish Choir, Bennekerry, Cór an Aifrinn, Poor Clare Sisters Choir, Cathedral Parish Choir, Rang 6 Confirmation Class from Gaelscoil Cheatharlach, and the combined choirs from the Myshall/Drumphea and Newtown parishes.
Many compositions by Fr Liam Lawton featured, including , and his beautiful arrangement of . The musicians were Mary Gaskin and the Graiguecullen/Killeshin instrumental group, Ceoltóirí an Aifrinn, Irina O’Hara and Ollie Hennessy.
Sound and lighting were by Stephen Corry of Premier Productions.
The concert was broadcast live on the Graiguecullen Killeshin parish website, while a recording is on the parish recordings channel on YouTube.
Any further donations to Gaza can be arranged by contacting Glór Cheatharlach on 087 2857048, 085 1340047 or by email to emma@glorcheatharlach.ie.
