PICTURE SPECIAL: Roscrea's talented Community Choir celebrates 25 years with 'Christmas Joy' concert

Roscrea Community Choir held their 25th anniversary celebratory Christmas themed concert 'Christmas Joy ' in the Church of Ireland in Roscrea - a truly wonderful and moving event that wowed audiences.

With a varied programme including guest artists Yvonne O'Toole, Soprano of VOICE Academy, the Midland String Quartet and the Roscrea Cistercian College Choir singers, the performances delighted the packed audience with carols and seasonal classics, newer favourites and beautiful instrumentals.

M.C. Seamus Mullaney welcomed all to enjoy the second event of the Choir's 25th anniversary celebratory revival year, having held a commerative dinner and presentation night in October last, at which revivors Mary Ryan, the late Terri Horan and Musical Director Lucy McCarthy were honoured.

Lucy retired as M.D. of the choir last July after an incredible 25 years of outstanding commitment. We are blessed that William Cullagh joined our choir as Musical Director and accompanist last September and had diligently prepared the choir for this night of seasonal music in the beautifully decorated Church of Ireland.

Pictured above the members of Roscrea Community Choir performing at the event in the Church of Ireland. Photo: PJ Wright

The repertoire included a selection of traditional carols and a sprinkling of more unfamiliar contemporary seasonal songs and hymns including 'The First Noel', Vivaldi's 'Gloria', John Rutter's 'Look at the World ' and 'Christmas Lullaby' and 'Somewhere in my memory', to name but a few. The Cistercian college choir singers joined the choir for the concert.

Pictured are members of the VOICE Academy choir performing in Roscrea and above are members of the Midlands String Quartet Maria Greevey, Irene Ramos Alvarez, William Cullagh and Agata Matelska. Photos PJ Wright

The Midland String Quartet delighted with Mozart's 'DK136' and their jazzy version of the popular 'Rockin' around the Christmas tree', with the heavenly acoustics of the Church perfectly highlighting the music. The Quartet also accompanied the choir and the other guest artists with great aplomb!

Hamper Winners Bernie Cummins and her grandchildren Niamh, Eoin and Isabelle Hoyne. Photo: PJ Wright

Yvonne O'Toole's VOICE academy pupils treated us all with their lovely Christmas selection programme including 'Snowman' by Sia, Keane's 'Somewhere we know' and the Picture This group's hit song 'This Christmas'. They brought a smile and magic to this atmospheric night!

Pictured above Soprano Yvonne O'Toole sings 'Walking on Air' and below Cistercian College Choir soloist - MacDarra Fitzpatrick. Photos: PJ Wright

Roscrea Cistercian College Boys Choir thrilled the audience with the beautiful Ukrainian Bell Carol and the harmonious Irish Carol 'Codail Iosagáin' with Macdara Fitzpatrick soloist, David Purcell thrilling with 'Holy City' accompanied by the Community and College choirs.

Pictured above are Seamus Mullaney, Mary Ryan and Andrew Walsh and right and below is the cheque presentation from Roscrea Community Choir to Roscrea Lions Club President, Liam Spooner from Andrew Walsh. Photo: PJ Wright

The audience were encouraged to join in with the combined choirs, including the VOICE academy with a selection of Christmas songs, before Yvonne O'Toole's showstopper 'O Holy Night', accompanied by the choirs at the end of the concert. Indeed, Yvonne O'Toole, Soprano, gave us moments of pure brilliance with magical performances of 'Walking in the Air','The Prayer' and the ceiling-lifting 'O Holy Night '.

Pictured above is Soprano Yvonne O'Toole with members of her Choir. Pictured below enjoying the 'Christmas Joy' concert are Martin O'Toole and Ena Larkin. Photos: PJ Wright

The Community Choir extends our sincere thanks to all who contributed in various ways to help stage this wonderful celebratory concert especially the Reverend Jane Galbraith and the Church of Ireland vestry for allowing us to host our 'Christmas Joy 'concert in the Roscrea Church of Ireland. Huge thanks also to the following: The Roscrea Lions club who planned and organised the logistics for the concert to the highest standard and provided our highly efficient front of house and stewards.

Pictured above are Gillian Mitchell, Antoinette Peyaud, Rowena Mitchell, Fabian and Amehe Peyaud and pictured below are Michael Lorigan, Ursula Quigley, May and Mark Kirwan enjoying the 'Christmas Joy' concert. Photos: PJ Wright

To the Order of Malta who were on hand on the night for the safety of all and to the Church of Ireland Community members and Choir members and Committee who helped prepare the Church and organise decorations and raffle hampers. As you can appreciate, months of hard work on behalf of the committee and Choir members was needed to pull off such a big event!

Pictured above are Pat Sheedy, Lesley and Heather Evans and below are Eamon Horan, Geraldine Killoran, May Egan and Lally Dennison. Photos: PJ Wright

To Seamus Mullaney for his great work as M.C. and to Lumatech light and sound systems who illuminated the Church beautifully and balanced the sound and music so well. To Andrew Walsh for the choir acknowledgements at the end of the concert. To photographers Brian Redmond and P.J. Wright for the lovely photographs on the night.

Pictured above are Keith Stanley John Maher and Lester Roe. Photos: PJ Wright

A special thanks to our guest artists Yvonne O'Toole Soprano, VOICE academy by Yvonne O'Toole, the Midland String Quartet and the Roscrea Cistercian College Boys Choir and soloists David Purcell and Macdara Fitzpatrick. We greatly appreciate our M.D. William Cullagh for his vision, planning and direction over the past few months, ensuring the great success of our 'Christmas Joy ' concert.

A special presentation cheque for €1,000 was presented on the night by Andrew Walsh, on behalf of the choir to Liam Spooner, Roscrea Lions club president to aid the enormous work done by the Roscrea Lions club in the Roscrea locality.