Tipperary group has been singing and raising money for worthy causes for 46 years

The Tipperary Singers have been entertaining audiences for forty-six years whilst raising tens of thousands of Euros for charities for nearly half a century.

“It’s hard to put a figure on the amount of money we have raised as we have been doing it for so long,” said Choir Director Betty Lynch.

The choir has been fund-raising for many different causes since they began in 1972 with the charity Concern joining the list in 1993. 

The famine in Sudan was the beginning of a long association with the Tipperary Singers and their Friends and two years ago Betty Lynch received an outstanding Volunteer Award on behalf of the choir and friends for all their work.

Just recently the choir presented cheques to Betty Rae on behalf of the parishioners of St. Mary's Church, Principal John Kiely of the Abbey CBS towards the school's new reading room and Ann Grace, South Tipperary Hospice.

Says Betty - “It is hard to believe that we are still singing after 46 years”. 

Way back in the Spring of 1972 a group of people gathered in Danny Ryan's cellar in Bank Place (originally Carew’s) to discuss the possibility of forming some type of musical group.

 A few songs were sung, the mood was positive and hence a choir was born under the direction of a reluctant young Betty Lynch.

The late Larry Kiely invited the group to sing for their first gig at a Cabaret in Clanwilliam Rugby Club for a fund raiser for the Special Needs School in Cashel.

The group got to work quickly and prepared a selection of Stephen Foster songs and Negro spirituals for the occasion. 

The singing was greatly appreciated by a full house so there was no turning back for the group now.

The following year the choir attended the Cork International Choral and Folk Dance Festival.  

Choirs from around the world participate annually and that night they were treated to the most magnificent singing and exciting folk dances from Russia and Bulgaria.

 The Tipperary singers were so inspired they performed at the festival the following year and were among the prizewinners.

In 1986 they performed at the Choral and Folk Festival in Quimper Brittany - a town twinned with Tipperary and in 1987 they were invited to Brussels to sing at a festival celebrating the 30th anniversary of the signing of The Treaty of Rome. 

 “That was a very memorable occasion, singing all day in the park in the centre of Brussels,” explained Betty. 

“Many of our elderly audience remembered the soldiers of World War 1 marching out in the morning to the Battle fields of Flanders.

“In 1998 we travelled to Rome to join in The Voices of the World. It was a great privilege to sing for Pope John Paul 11 (now St John Paul) at an audience in St. Peter's Square. 

“Of all our trips, we would have to say the trip to Flanders in 2008 for the 90th Anniversary of the signing of the Armistice on the 11th day of the 11-month in 1918 was a moving experience beyond description.  

“We were with the CJ. Kickham Brass and Reed Band. Oh, how we proudly marched that day through Ypres behind the Band as we played and sang, A Long Way to Tipperary. 

“The Choir had the privilege that night to sing, "The Clouds Veil" composed by Liam Lawton beneath the Menin Gate as many old veterans of WW11 laid wreaths of red poppies at the Memorial.  

“We also sang, "Danny Boy" and "Oft in the Stilly Night" in the Island of Ireland Peace Park and shed many a tear.  

“Later that day at 6pm we stood by the old Celtic cross in Ypres in honour of the Munster dead and sang, "Abide with Me”. 

“This was truly 'a trip of a lifetime that will live forever in our hearts.”

The Tipperary Singers are a wonderful institution in Tipperary town. 

They have sung Christmas Carols on the streets of Tipperary, in nursing homes, and have become a part of Christmas tradition with the Christmas concerts for the last thirty years.

The choir members have sang their hearts out for nearly half a century, sharing the joy of music and song with many whilst raising hundreds of thousands of euro for charity.

Long may the Song continue…