Very special Longford County Choir concert

A very special event will take place on Friday, November 25 at 7pm in St Mel’s Cathedral, Longford.

As part of a service of ‘Song and Word for Peace’ Longford County Choir will perform Karl Jenkins acclaimed composition 'The Peacemakers'.

It is a choral work extolling peace and is dedicated to the memory of all those, especially innocent civilians, who lost their lives during armed conflict.

Featuring texts from iconic figures that have shaped history including Gandhi, Martin Luther King, the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Anne Frank and Mother Teresa.

These have been set alongside new text by Terry Waite CBE, English poets Shelley and Mallory as well as excerpts from the Old Testament and the Qur'an.

Jenkins said that the ethos of the work is summed up by one line from the 13th century Persian poet, Muti, ‘All religions, all singing one song: Peace be with you’.

Jenkins is presently the most performed living composer and his many compositions have delighted audiences all over the world.

Longford is now home to many who have been displaced by the conflict in Ukraine and other parts of the world. It is also the former home of one of Ireland’s greatest peacemakers, Albert Reynolds. Accordingly it is a very appropriate location for this performance.

The choir has been rehearsing this music under the direction of our Musical Director, Fintan Farrelly.

Choir member and Granard native Rosemary Connolly, Soprano, will sing the beautiful ‘Meditation: Peace is....’ , based on the words of Terry Waite.

The choir are delighted to be singing again after a long break due to Covid.

The performance is being sponsored by the Longford County Council Creative Ireland Fund and there will be no charge for entry. All are welcome to attend.