28th March, 2025 - Charity Concert in Rosemary Presbyterian Church, Belfast

The Clare Chorale was back in Belfast again this evening for another charity concert, this time supporting the charity STAND BY me, in Rosemary Presbyterian Church on the North Circular Road. The concert was held as a fund-raiser and to celebrate 30 years since the charity’s formation. The choir and individual choir members provided the full programme for the evening with another three new pieces being introduced for the first time, namely ‘The Great Pretender,’ ‘Here is Love’ and the well-known hit from the musical ‘Les Miserables,’ ‘One Day More.’ They, together with many old favourites, were enjoyed by the audience, many of whom were listening to the choir for the first time. Soloist Ty Williams sang two songs beautifully (‘As Times Goes By’ and ‘It’s Now or Never’/ ‘O Solo Mio’)and Mark Haffield provided a contrasting element to the entertainment playing two solo clarinet pieces, ‘Bring Him Home’ and another which was composed by Katherine Jenkins and is called ‘Xander’s Song,’ dedicated to Katherine’s son Xander. Choir accompanist, Darren Day, played one of his own compositions called ‘The Mountains of Mourne’ from his album ‘Belfast Heart’ and later he was joined for a duet on the piano by choir Director of Music, Sheelagh Greer, playing a medley of well known songs from the shows, including ‘Edelweiss.’ The men of the choir also had their moment in the limelight singing the very popular Elvis Presley piece, ‘Peace in the Valley.’

To find out more about this charity and the work that it does please visit its website - STAND BY me

To view the concert follow this link to Rosemary Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel - STAND BY me Concert

7th February, 2025 - Charity Concert in Belfast Harbour Commissioners’ Harbour Office Building

This year The Clare Chorale’s nominated charity is the Samaritans (Northern Ireland) and this evening the choir performed in a fundraising concert for this important local charity in the beautiful surroundings of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners’ Harbour Office Building. The concert had to be re-scheduled from it’s original date of 24th January due to the dangerous conditions generated by Storm Éowyn. It was fortunate that the venue in the Harbour Commissioners’ Office Building was available only two weeks later and that despite a busy schedule the guest soloist, Father Eugene O’Hagan, was able to join the choir this evening.

The Belfast Harbour Office has been the headquarters for the Harbour Commissioners for more than 150 years and has some beautifully ornate rooms, such as the Barnett Room, with its curved ceilings and stained-glass windows, and it was in this room that the choir had the pleasure of singing to an almost capacity audience.

The choir sang a mixture of secular and sacred pieces in three separate sections, many of them favourites of the many loyal followers of the choir who attended this evening’s concert. The choir is continually learning new pieces and when properly prepared they are introduced to its extensive repertoire. During this evening’s concert the song ‘Sentimental Journey’ was performed by the choir for the first time, to a very appreciative audience. First published in 1944 it was to become the first number one hit in 1945 for Doris Day, lead vocalist with Les Brown and his band of Renown.

Father Eugene O’Hagan needs no introduction in choral circles in Northern Ireland, or indeed across the world, such is his reputation as a soloist and as a member of the recently disbanded group, The Priests. Father Eugene, together with his brother Father Martin O’Hagan and Father David Delargy have been singing together for fifty years in one guise or another but became famous worldwide when in 2008 they signed a record contract and sang together across the world.

Father Eugene last sang with The Clare Chorale back in 2013 and it was a pleasure to have him sing with the choir once again this evening. He sang a wide range of popular songs that included Morning has Broken, originally written as a hymn but which found popularity when performed by Cat Stevens in collaboration with Rick Wakeman in 1972.

During a short break in the singing Fiona McClelland, a branch manager for the Samaritans in Belfast, took a few minutes to explain the role of the Samaritans in Belfast. Fiona started volunteering for the suicide prevention charity some five years ago when a close family member was struggling with their mental health. She emphasised the importance of the work done locally by the charity and how vital fundraising is to its future work. She thanked the choir for supporting the Samaritans as its nominated charity for the season, and the audience for their attendance this evening.

Darren Day, the choir accompanist, is not only a superb pianist, but in recent years has been writing new music and arrangements of popular songs and he entertained everyone with beautiful renditions of Belfast Heart and the Mountains of Mourne. The concert closed with an Elvis Presley song, ‘If I Can Dream’ sung by Darren with backing from the choir.

For more photographs of the choir this evening follow this link - Samaritans’ Charity Concert

16th November, 2024 - Mothers’ Union Big Hymn Sing

The last in the Church of Ireland Mothers’ Union’s series of All Ireland Big Hymn Sings was held on Saturday, 16th November in St Patrick’s Parish Church, Ballymena and The Clare Chorale led the praise for this prestigious event. The choir had previously performed at the closing concert of Mothers’ Union conference in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall in September 2022 and it was a delight to be asked to lead the hymn singing at this very special service.

The series began in St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny in March, with services held in every Church of Ireland diocese during 2024 to raise money for the Mothers’ Union ‘Mums in May’ Fund which supports projects and initiatives across Ireland in accordance with the aims and objects of the Mothers’ Union.

The rector of St Patrick’s is Rev. Canon Mark McConnell, formerly rector of the United Parish of Ballynure and Ballyeaston (Ballyclare), and he has been a keen supporter of the choir since its formation in 2003.

Several hundred Mothers’ Union members and friends attended St Patrick’s from dioceses across Ireland, and the church was packed for the service.

For more photographs of this event please follow this link - Big Hymn Sing

Photos credit - Karen Bushby (Communications officer for the Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor)

27th October, 2024 - Harvest Service in Woodburn Presbyterian Church

The choir was delighted to be invited back to Woodburn again for the church’s annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service. The church was filled to capacity once again for this service led by Rev. David Kelly. The choir led the inspirational and very uplifting congregational singing and sang a number of its favourite sacred pieces in what was a very enjoyable first engagement for the choir season. Everyone enjoyed a delicious harvest supper in the church hall immediately after the service.

The service was streamed live on Facebook and is available to view by following this link - Woodburn Presbyterian Church Harvest Service

24th September, 2024 - Congratulations

It was wonderful to hear the news back in June that our Director of Music, Sheelagh Greer, had been awarded the British Empire Medal in King Charles’ Birthday Honours List. Sheelagh had the pleasure of attending Hillsborough Castle today for the presentation of her award. She was accompanied by her father, Hubert, in what was an extremely proud day for them both.

Congratulations to Sheelagh from everyone in The Clare Chorale.