Kilkenny school choir wins Bernadette Kelly Memorial Award at Derry International Choir Festival
The St Kieran's College Senior Choir from Kilkenny received the Bernadette Kelly Memorial Award for the most promising school choir at the 14th City of Derry International Choir Festival
St Kieran's College Senior Choir from Kilkenny was given a special recognition at the 14th City of Derry International Choir Festival.
The local school’s group received the Bernadette Kelly Memorial Award for the most promising school choir.
It followed four unforgettable days of music-making which brought more than 100 choirs from across Ireland, the UK and Europe to Derry and the surrounding region.
The festival welcomed thousands of singers to the city for a packed programme of international and national competitions, world-class concerts, school events and community performances, reinforcing Derry's reputation as a leading destination for choral music.
One of the highlights of the Festival was the prestigious Oak Tree of Derry International Competition, held in the Guildhall, where seven outstanding choirs representing five European countries competed for the coveted title.
Stockholms Musikgymnasium Youth Choir from Sweden was crowned the 2026 International Champion, achieving an impressive score of 92.6% and securing the Oak Tree of Derry Trophy.
The Fabre Ensemble from Ireland took second place with 91.0%, while The Continuettes and Dulciana Vocal Ensemble, also from Ireland, shared third place with 90.2%.
The Swedish choir also received two special awards: the Contemporary Music Centre Award for its performance of A Crazed Girl by Irish composer Seán Doherty, and the Bishop's Gate Hotel Award for its performance of Musica Noster Amor by Jacobus Gallus.
Now in its fourteenth year, the City of Derry International Choir Festival continues to grow in scale and international reach, attracting choirs and visitors from across Europe while creating opportunities for local communities, schools and singers to participate in high-quality musical experiences.
With more than 100 choirs participating in this year's programme, the 2026 edition was the Festival's largest to date, highlighting the power of choral music to bring people together across cultures, generations and communities.