Council voice their appreciatgoogleion for cavan singers

Ciara Lawn

Cavan Singers raised the roof of Cavan Council chamber as they celebrated their 30th anniversary last Thursday, October 2 with a civic reception in Cavan Courthouse. Their achievement was marked with a special performance, the presentation of an award by cathaoirleach, Shane P. O’Reilly, to acknowledge the group celebrating three decades in the community, and the opening of an exhibition detailing the history of the Cavan Singers in the Johnston Central Library.
The ceremony began with a performance by the Cavan Singers of the song, ‘Cavan Girl’ arranged by their keyboard player, Eileen Tackney. Minister Heather Humphreys, who attended the ceremony, despite controversies surrounding the appointment of John McNulty to the Seanad, appeared to be enjoying herself as she sang along with the singers from her front row seat. Indeed, the recent controversy did not go unmentioned. Rachel Cullivan, chair of Cavan Singers hinted at the furore when she thanked the minister for taking the time “in what has clearly been a hectic week” to attend the event, adding:
“By the way, here’s a tip; if you’re at all stressed or overwhelmed, choral singing is genuinely good for you the health benefits, they’re scientifically proven.’
There were also speeches from Shane P. O’Reilly and Gerard Finn documenting some of the history of the Cavan Singers and thanking them for their contribution to the community in terms of entertainment, but also in terms of their fundraising for organisations both locally and internationally.
After the presentation of the award, the Cavan Singers closed the ceremony with a rousing performance of Cantor, conducted enthusiastically by their new director, Paul Flynn, in his first public performance with the group.

http://youtu.be/iYYPncX0oGU

Speaking after the celebration, Dolly Cullivan, a founding member of the Cavan Singers, recalled how the group was formed back in 1984. She credited the first chairman, Pat Nally, for getting the Singers up and running.
“We had a one day workshop out in the VEC School and there was so many came to it, we decided we would start a group. So we called a meeting and people turned up, and from that thirty years ago we’ve kept going. We’ve had different directors but we just all love music and singing.”
Dolly emphasised the group’s importance in creating a sense of community.
“I think anybody who’s in a choir, you want it to go well for everybody as much as for you. You know sometimes in sport, people are for themselves, but I think in music and certainly in choral singing, you want it to be good for everybody.”
Dolly also spoke of their deceased members, and noted that every year the Singers hold a function in remembrance of them.

‘Exciting and scary’
Paul Flynn said he jumped at the opportunity to become their new musical director. “This is my first time publicly with the singers. So it’s very exciting and scary but it’s a wonderful opportunity to start with them. Hopefully we get to do another thirty years together, you never know!”