Outstanding Tullamore concert raises funds for Offaly Hospice
Charivari Singers make debut at well attended event in the Church of the Assumption
AN outstanding concert in Tullamore's Church of the Assumption raised a large sum of money for Offaly Hospice and Tullamore Gramophone Society's Young Musician Fund on Friday evening.
The All Hallows Eve Charity Concert 2026 featured Thomas Charles Marshall on organ, Grace Minnock on harp, soprano Caitlin Minnock, the trad group Siobhan Godley, Aidan Barry and Tom Nolan, and the Charivari Singers.
Thomas Charles Marshall is originally from Westmeath and is active as a recitalist throughout Ireland while his international appearances have included engagements in Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Thomas played on the Frobenius Organ (1965), which was a gift from the Lutheran Community in Copenhagen at a time when Tullamore’s church had been rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1983.
An outstanding player, Thomas gave two excellent renditions. The first was Bach's St Anne's and the second was Mendelssohn's Prelude and Fugue in C Minor. St Anne earned its name in English-speaking countries because the opening subject bears a striking resemblance to William Croft's 18th-century hymn tune St Anne. The work is rooted in Christian numerology and symbolism representing the Trinity: the piece is in E-flat major (which has three flats in the key signature), and the fugue is built on three distinct sections/subjects representing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Grace Minnock is a very talented pianist, harpist and traditional musician from Offaly. Grace was awarded the Tullamore Gramophone Society Award at the 2026 Birr Trench Awards. Grace gave technically excellent and sensitively performed renditions of a number of Harp pieces, including a delightful piece by Turlough O'Carolan (1670 – 1738), the famous blind harper, composer, and singer (often remembered as the "last of the Irish bards").
Caitlin Minnock is a soprano currently completing her Bachelor of Music (Performance) degree at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Caitlin gave a stunning performance which drew a very enthusiastic response from the large number of people that were in attendance. With consummate skill she sang Rossini's “Ah donate il caro sposo”, which is known for its sparkling, virtuosic Rossinian coloratura, requiring great agility and high notes from the soprano.
The concert began with Siobhán Godley, Aidan Barry and Tom Nolan (with Siobhan on flute and Aidan on guitar), giving fantastic performances of three Irish / American trad music pieces. These three musicians play together regularly at traditional music sessions around the Midlands and they are best known for their great sound and lively trad music.
This was the first ever live performance for the Charivari Singers. The ensemble originated in a group of friends meeting on Saturday mornings in Tullamore to sing beautiful old part songs and madrigals. Their programme spanned almost five centuries and four different languages. The group comprises Alice Griffin, Adele O'Dwyer and Barbara Tynan (sopranos), Máire McKay and Jo Rodgers (altos), Derek Fanning and Gavin Murphy (tenors) and Ken Poland and Tony Monaghan (basses). They were delighted to receive a very enthusiastic response from the audience.
Professor Humphrey O'Connor, Chairman of the Offaly Hospice Foundation, gave a thoughtful and grateful speech during the concert, during which he warmly thanked the Tullamore Gramophone Society, and Tony Monaghan in particular, for organising the concert.