Cavan Singers wow Lisbon

Cavan Singers recently represented Ireland at the 2024 Lisbon Sings! choral festival in Portugal.

They visited the 3rd International Choir Competition last month. They began with a courtesy visit to the Irish Embassy in the Portuguese Capital where choir members were presented with Ireland-Portugal lapel pins to wear during performances at the festival which took place at the new building of the National Coach Museum and the National Tile Museum.

“The staff were lovely and we left them some Tayto and from Cavan we had some Áine’s chocolates and a piece of Elena Brennan jewellery,” said a group spokesperson. “It was a great start to our five days in Lisbon.”

Friday, November 8 began with a bus tour of the city, followed by rehearsal back at the hotel with the group’s musical director Eileen Tackney.

Their first performance was as part of the ‘Friendship Concert’ which included choirs from Portugal, Austria, Ireland, and Brazil- with each group singing three pieces each.

Amongst Saturday’s highlights was a singing workshop.

“This was a great session and an opportunity to learn new techniques and spend time - and compare notes - with people and from other choirs.”

Early on Sunday the singers returned to the Aula Magna for their evaluation with the festival’s judges. In the early evening they rehearsed again to prepare for the closing ceremony, with the Cavan Singers selected as one of three choirs to perform.

“We opened this concert, and the audience were very appreciative of our set. In particular ‘Danny Boy’ which reportedly brought tears to many eyes.”

For more details on the group’s trip and other Cavan Singer’s events see: www.cavansingers.blogspot.com