Huge turnout for a magical night in this Tipperary church

The Christmas spirit was alive and well in Templemore last weekend commencing with the Nollaig Le Chéile festivities and the turning on of the Christmas lights on Friday evening and culminating with the Parish Folk Group’s fundraising concert on Sunday evening.

This was the second fundraising event organised by the folk group following on from the success of last year’s event. The chosen charities this year were Irish Kidney Association, Milford Care Centre and North Tipperary Hospice.

The huge turnout on the night made it clear how close these charities are to the hearts of the people of Templemore and surrounding areas.

Preparations were underway from early on Sunday morning.

The church was beautifully adorned with seasonal flowers and foliage and the Christmas trees also added to the magical atmosphere in the church.

Sound, lighting and big screens were set up to enhance the spectacle of the concert. The Parish Folk Group opened the concert with a wide repertoire of songs and Christmas carols.

The audience were held captive by the stunning arrangements including some wonderful solo performances, duets and trios.

Top class musical accompaniment was provided by a very capable group of young musicians. This section featured many Christmas songs including “Believe” from The Polar Express and a rousing version of the anthem, “World in Union.”

The special guests for the night, Derek Ryan and Ryan Morgan took up the reins at this stage of the night.

These two exceptionally talented singers enthralled the audience with solo and duet performances.

Derek commenced with “Some Enchanted Evening” and “Macushla”.

Ryan took over with his theatrical style and wowed the audience with songs including “Who am I?” from Les Miserables.

Derek performed his highly entertaining version of “If I were a rich man” before the folk group re-entered the stage to join in with the choruses of “The Holy City”.

This was a stellar performance led by the two main men and it brought the first half of the concert to a rousing finale.

The second half of the show had a distinctly Christmas feel to it as Ryan and Derek entertained us with some Christmas carols and songs ranging from the traditional “Oh come all ye Faithful” to “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”

The folk group rejoined proceedings towards the end of the night. Shane MacGowan was remembered in song with “Fairytale of New York.” The classic favourite “Oh Holy Night” followed this, quite a variation in style here.

There was hardly a dry eye in the house (church) as Derek and Ryan gave us a mesmerising version of Christmas 1915. The Folk Group joined these two musical virtuosos for the final carol of the evening, Silent Night. A standing ovation was well deserved for all the magnificent performers on the night.

Heartiest congratulations to all involved in the running of this wonderful event.

The folk group are truly blessed to have such a magnificent community around them and the members wish to extend thanks to all those who helped on the night.

Special thanks to Anne Marie Johnston, the folk group leader, who coordinated and managed everything that was needed for the smooth running of the concert.

Thanks also to those who came and supported the event and gave so generously to the charities involved.