Belle Voci Choir represent Clonmel at Prague Advent Choral Festival

Clonmel’s Belle Voci Choir really enjoyed participating in the Prague Advent Choral Festival last month.

The all female choir, under musical director Eamon O'Malley, got to perform in St. Martin in the Wall Church and in St. Nicholas Church in the Old Town.

They joined in communal singing with the other participating choirs, with Eamon O'Malley having the honour of conducting 'Silent Night' which was sung by twenty choirs.

Irish ambassador Charles Sheehan sent his cultural, press, and information officer Marketa Janikova to Belle Voci’s performance in St. Martin in the Wall Church.   The embassy promoted this event on their Facebook page which resulted in a number of the Irish community attending the occasion.  The choir’s rendition of the old Irish song  'Mo Ghile Mear' was particularly appreciated.

As well as sightseeing tours, the travelling party socialised in the evenings with the other choirs - the first evening on the river boat trip and the second evening under the entertainment of local folk dancers and musicians.

Being the only Irish choir, they attracted great interest and were delighted to hear some choirs joining in on the ‘Fields of Athenry'.

The choir are grateful to Tipperary County Council for providing funding for the trip,  and the opportunity was taken to promote Tipperary by distributing fliers.  They are also grateful to Tesco where they sang in the build up to the trip to raise funds.

The choir are holding their candlelit Christmas concert in St. Joseph's Church, Ferryhouse, on Thursday 15th December, at 8pm.  The concert will feature Sean Callaghan plus other guests.  Admission is free but donations will be gratefully accepted in aid of Dolphin Swimming Club.