Tickets for the Chamber Choir Ireland on Friday 2nd May at 7:30pm, St Fin Barre's Cathedral, are sold out.

Nous sommes ravis de constater, cette année encore, le grand intérêt ! Merci à tous et au plaisir de vous y voir.

2025 Gala Concerts Schedule:

Wednesday, 30th April, 8pm: Opening Gala, Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius
East Cork Choral Society, Guinness Choir & Cork Fleischmann Symphony Orchestra, Cork City Hall. Tickets: €25/€30/€35 (back parterre/front parterre/gallery) – Book now

Thursday, 1st May, 8pm: Syng Selected (Denmark)
Cork City Hall. Tickets: €25/€30/€35 (back parterre/front parterre/gallery) – Book now

Friday, 2nd May, 10pm: Cappella Pratensis (The Netherlands), Josquin in Rome
St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork. Tickets: €25 – Book now

Saturday, 3rd May, 3pm & 8pm: Fleischmann International Gala
Cork City Hall. Tickets: €20/€25/€30 (back parterre/front parterre/gallery) – Book now

Sunday, 4th May, 8pm: Closing Gala Concert
Cork City Hall. Tickets: €25/€30/€35 (back parterre/front parterre/gallery) – Book now

The Cork International Choral Festival has officially launched its 70th anniversary programme, promising a spectacular celebration of choral music this May bank holiday weekend.

Now in its 70th year, Cork’s longest-running festival will welcome over 117 performing groups, including 20 international choirs, who will fill venues across the city with music, colour, and culture. With more than 700 international visitors and thousands more local participants and audiences expected, this year's event is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet.

Speaking, with Irish Examiner, at the launch in Cork City Hall, Artistic Director Pierre Stobart shared his excitement about this milestone year:

“We’ve got 20 international choirs visiting – they’ve got to be the highlight. They bring a variety of colourful costumes, different languages, and unique choral styles. All of that being brought into Cork is such a significant thing.”

At the heart of the festival is the Concours Trophée International Fleischmann, which draws world-class amateur choirs from around the globe to compete at the highest level. Events will take place across a variety of iconic venues, including Cork City Hall, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh, et the Marina Market, with choral pop-ups also expected to bring music to the streets of Cork.

🎟️ The full festival schedule is now available online

La composition gagnante sera créée au Cork International Choral Festival

Donnchadh Mac Aodha has been announced as this year’s winner of the prestigious Seán Ó Riada composition competition. The annual competition celebrates new works from Irish composers and is held in collaboration with the Cork International Choral Festival and Chamber Choir Ireland. Donnchadh Mac Aodha's winning composition, ‘Babel’, will have its world premiere at St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral Cork on Friday, May 2^nd, at 7.30pm. 

A Dundalk native and UCC student, Donnchadh’s current compositional work draws inspiration from his roots in traditional music and the Irish language, seamlessly blended with his training in contemporary composition, led primarily by John Godfrey at UCC. Through his work, Donnchadh looks to push and remold apparent boundary lines between music genres to create a unique blend of old and new. The inaugural performance of ‘Babel’ will be part of the Cork International Choral Festival’s annual collaborative concert with choir-in-residence, Chamber Choir Ireland, led by their Guest Director Gabriel Crouch. This promises to be a night of exceptional musical talent. 

Le concours Seán Ó Riada, qui existe depuis plus de 50 ans, offre aux compositeurs irlandais une plateforme permettant de juger et de récompenser leur œuvre uniquement sur ses propres mérites. Les soumissions sont faites sous des pseudonymes, garantissant l'anonymat jusqu'à ce que la décision des juges soit prise. Le concours vise à présenter aux chœurs irlandais du matériel frais et authentique pour leurs programmes et a attiré des compositeurs de renom tout au long de son histoire. 

Chamber Choir Ireland member and composer Eoghan Desmond, conductor Orla Flanagan, and Guest Conductor of Chamber Choir Ireland, Gabriel Crouch, who evaluated McDonnell's winning piece, summarised their reaction, stating, 'Babel' makes a rich contribution to Irish choral literature. The contemporary relevance of Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh's Irish-language poem is striking, with an unsettling sense of lofty ideals soured by arrogance and pride. The composer's musical setting reflects this and is both sensitive and expressively impactful. The phrases inflect upwards, yearning for something, but falter in the (quite deliberate) absence of harmonic stability. The effect is sobering, and captivating. It has a distinct musical identity, and shows great fluency in its approach to choral writing.

With more than 250 compositions being submitted in the past 10 years of the new format, the Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition illustrates the number of composers now working and living in Ireland, and further demonstrates the Cork International Choral Festival’s continuing commitment to encourage the composition and performance of contemporary music. Past winners include Solfa Carlisle, Rhona Clarke, Patrick Connolly, Frank Corcoran, Séamas de Barra, Eoghan Desmond, Michael Holohan, Marian Ingoldsby, Donal MacErlaine, Simon MacHale, Kevin O’Connell, Amanda Feery, Criostóir Ó Loingsigh, Donal Sarsfield, James May, Peter Leavy, Norah Constance Walsh, Darragh Black Hynes, Laura Heneghan and last year’s winner Anselm McDonnell

This year’s Cork International Choral Festival which is set to bring Cork to life with song takes place from 30^e April – 4^e May 2025.

En savoir plus sur le compositeur : 

Donnchadh Mac Aodha is a composer and multi-instrumentalist from Dundalk, Co.Louth. In 2024, he graduated from UCC with a 1^St-class honours degree in Music and Irish, where he was a Quercus Creative & Performing Arts Scholar.

Donnchadh’s current compositional work draws inspiration from his grounding in traditional music and the Irish language, intermingled with his training in contemporary composition, led primarily by John Godfrey at UCC. His pieces have been performed at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival, Ostrava Days Festival, West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival, The Irish Composers Collective Festival and the New Ross Piano Festival. In 2024 he was commissioned to write a suite for Consairtín, premiered in Glór, Ennis. Donnchadh’s final-year Major Study composition project, Éist le Fuaim na hAbhann: Echoing Sean-nós in Contemporary Classical Composition, won the Danijela Kulezic-Wilson Undergraduate Award for Exceptional Innovation in Research.

Donnchadh has performed extensively in Ireland, Europe, and beyond. A four-time All-Ireland Champion at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, he has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Donal ‘Doc’ Gleeson Award, UCC Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann bursary, and the Mícheál Ó hÉidhin medal. He was also a finalist in the Bonn Óir Seán Ó Riada competition three times, and holds an Advanced Recital Certificate in piano from RIAM.

We're looking for passionate volunteers to join us for the 2025 Cork International Choral Festival on Wednesday 30th April - Sunday 4th May 2025!

If you're interested in being part of the 70th Edition of this amazing event that celebrates choral music and brings people together from around the world, then we want you!

En guise de remerciement, les bénévoles bénéficient d'excellents avantages, depuis des billets gratuits pour des spectacles jusqu'à une invitation à la réception du festival !

We will welcome any volunteers who are willing to lend their hands, hearts and voices.

It's now time to announce the fantastic ten international non-competitive choirs joining us in Cork this May. We can't wait to enjoy their performances! You can find out more about each of them in the 'Chœur et conférenciers" rubrique de notre site Internet.

Le Cork International Choral Festival a le plaisir d'inviter les écoles primaires à participer à l'atelier 'Chantons ensemble - Ag canadh le chéile' sur Tuesday, 4th March 2025 from 10am – 11.45am in Cork City Hall, as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2025.

Cet atelier destiné aux enfants du primaire offre une opportunité ludique et pédagogique d'apprendre la musique en langue irlandaise. Dirigé par Abby Ni Loingsigh et son ensemble, l'événement guidera les écoles dans la maîtrise d'un arrangement choral simple d'une chanson folklorique irlandaise, favorisant ainsi une expérience de chant collaborative. De plus, les étudiants seront initiés à divers instruments traditionnels irlandais, exploreront différentes catégories d'airs et de chansons de danse irlandaise et s'entraîneront à chanter des mots irlandais en harmonie avec les autres participants. L'événement vise à améliorer la compréhension de la musique chorale et à cultiver une appréciation de la langue et de la tradition musicale irlandaises.

Au cours de l'atelier, les étudiants se plongeront dans la création d'un accord avec leurs voix, impliquant de grands groupes chantant trois notes différentes ou plus. La session comprendra également une démonstration vivante et interactive d'instruments et de types de mélodies irlandais, incorporant des rythmes enseignables pour identifier les mélodies. Des percussions corporelles seront utilisées dans cette section de l'événement pour un engagement supplémentaire.

Inscription

Le coût de l'atelier est 5€/élève (l'entrée est gratuite pour les enseignants et le personnel). Pour réserver votre place, merci complete the registration form below by Friday, 7th February, and send payment either online at ce lien, or by bank transfer or cheque to the following account:

Bénéficiaire : Festival Choral International de Cork
Banque : Allied Irish Banks plc, Patrick's Street, Cork, Irlande
IBAN : IE85 AIBK 9341 5105 1954 48
BIC : AIBKIE2D
Numéro de compte : 05195448
Code guichet : 93 41 51
REMARQUE : Veuillez vous assurer que le nom de l'école est indiqué sur le virement bancaire.

Les inscriptions sont considérées comme complètes dès réception du paiement et seront garanties selon le principe du premier arrivé, premier servi.

Si vous avez des questions, n'hésitez pas à nous contacter par email ou par téléphone.

Nous espérons avoir de vos nouvelles bientôt!

Drumroll, please!

We’re thrilled to announce the choirs selected for the 2025 Fleischmann International Trophy Competition. Each year, top amateur choirs from across the globe compete for the honour of winning the prestigious Fleischmann Trophy.

A huge congratulations to the 10 choirs that will be joining us in Cork next year – we can’t wait to welcome you!

Chamber Choir of the Collegium Musicum Berlin, Germany
Coro Sinfonia, Spain
Junges Consortium Berlin, Germany
Kammerkoret NOVA, Norway
McMaster University Choir - Cantemus Treble Ensemble, Canada
McMaster University Choir - Mixed Chorus, Canada
Mixed Choir "Ventspils", Latvia
Mount Royal Kantorei, Canada
St Mary Treblemakers, Canada
Stockholms Musikgymnasium Youth Choir 2025, Sweden

Tickets for the Fleischmann International Gala Concerts on Saturday 3rd May 2025 are already on sale at ce lien!

We’re thrilled to announce that tickets for Noël à la Cathédrale on Saturday, 23rd November, are now SOLD OUT!

Don’t miss your chance to experience this magical evening—there are just a few tickets remaining for the Sunday, 24th November performance, featuring the exceptional guest soprano, Majella Cullagh.

🎟️ Secure your tickets now ici.

Join us for an unforgettable musical celebration of the festive season in the stunning surroundings of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, under the direction of Catherine Mahon Buckley.

The time has come! You can now secure your tickets for the individual Gala Concerts of the 2025 Cork International Choral Festival, celebrating our 70th anniversary!

We are excited to offer a special 15% discount for groups booking 10 or more tickets for each show. If you plan to attend all six Gala Concerts, take advantage of our unbeatable value with the Friend of the Festival pass discount! Purchase at least one ticket to activate the Pass unique (€120 instead of €190) or two tickets for the Double pass (€200 instead of €380) for each evening Gala Concert. For the concerts at Cork City Hall, all tickets should be purchased in either the Balcony or Front Parterre.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at [email protected]. We look forward to welcoming you to the festival next year!

2025 Gala Concerts Schedule:

Wednesday, 30th April, 8pm: Opening Gala, Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius
East Cork Choral Society, Guinness Choir & Cork Fleischmann Symphony Orchestra, Cork City Hall. Tickets: €25/€30/€35 (back parterre/front parterre/gallery) – Book now

Thursday, 1st May, 8pm: Syng Selected (Denmark)
Cork City Hall. Tickets: €25/€30/€35 (back parterre/front parterre/gallery) – Book now

Friday, 2nd May, 7.30pm: Chamber Choir Ireland
St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork. Tickets: €30 – Book now

Friday, 2nd May, 10pm: Cappella Pratensis (The Netherlands), Josquin in Rome
St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork. Tickets: €25 – Book now

Saturday, 3rd May, 3pm & 8pm: Fleischmann International Gala
Cork City Hall. Tickets: €20/€25/€30 (back parterre/front parterre/gallery) – Book now

Sunday, 4th May, 8pm: Closing Gala Concert
Cork City Hall. Tickets: €25/€30/€35 (back parterre/front parterre/gallery) – Book now

We’re thrilled to announce two incredible headline soloists for this year's Christmas at the Cathedral fundraiser!

Join us for a magical evening with tenor Pierre Stobart on Saturday 23rd November, and soprano Majella Cullagh on Sunday 24th November at 7.30pm in St Fin Barre's Cathedral.

We’re also excited to welcome back the wonderful talents of Siomha Marron et André Lane, along with our fantastic guest choirs, who will make both nights unforgettable!

Saturday 23rd November featuring:

❄️ Cór Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Cailíní
❄️ Wilcollane Singers
❄️ White Horse Gospel Choir
❄️ UCC Singers
❄️ Cór Geal Choir
❄️ CADA Performing Arts

Sunday 24th November featuring:

❄️ Belcanto Choir
❄️ Calliope
❄️ Douglas Harmonia Singers
❄️ Voices of Cork Community Choir
❄️ CADA Performing Arts

Des billets are selling fast—secure yours now before they're gone!