WATCH: Offaly student choir sings Ag Criost an Siol in Rome

STUDENTS from Tullamore Sacred Heart School had the honour of singing in Rome, including at a special Mass in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in the Italian capital.

The Tullamore girls lined up in a side chapel in the huge church, commonly known as Mary Major's Basilica, just a few metres from the tomb of Pope Francis.

With their music teachers James Murphy (on the organ) and Clare Faherty (pictured below with school principal Pauline McKenna), they were accompanied by other teachers and guests on this memorable occasion.

They sang in the Vatican's St Peter's Basilica with the Gentlemen of the Papal Choir at a High Sung Mass, a formal, musical celebration of the liturgy.

Along with hymns in Latin and English, the Tullamore choir sang in Irish with Ag Criost an Siol forming part of their impressive repertoire.

The choir's visit to Rome also featured a performance by the talented students at the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome (Pope Leo XIV), during their short trip to Italy.

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The programme was hailed by their supporters as a great and lovely occasion for the students, their families and their proud school.

The Tullamore group flew out on Saturday having packed choir books, choir robes and specially commissioned half-zips.

Roger Neville (left) and Jim Enright were in Rome

The trip wasn't just about the singing – they also found time to take in some of Rome's glorious sights, including an early morning tour of the Colliseum.