Fundraising concert to raise the roof for St Mary’s organ fund
A FUNDRAISING concert, aimed at raising money to repair the church organ at St Mary’s Church of Ireland, will take place at the church on Sunday, April 8 at 7.30 p.m.
The organ in St Mary’s Church is of significant value both historically and as a musical instrument. It was built over 200 years ago by William Gray of London and is one of his few remaining organs still in existence today. The organ, which was once situated in Dublin Castle, was installed in St Mary’s Church in the late 1800s by Telford and Telford of Dublin who added two pedal stops and the stencilled pipes.
However, after many years of service, the organ is now in need of full refurbishment, the cost of which will be a six-figure sum. The concert on April 8 is the latest of a number of fundraising activities.
Organised by Lorna Mahon, lead soloist in St Aidan’s Cathedral and Director of the Cathedral Choir, and supported by Enniscorthy Lions Club, the concert will feature some of Wexford’s best talent. Among those taking part are: Ciara Cullinane, George Lawlor, Lorna Mahon, the Castlebridge Community Singers, Eric Hayes, Maire and Colm O’ Tiarnaigh, Des Whelan, Clodagh and Stephanie Kinsella, and the Enniscorthy Strings Group.
Ciara Cullinane is a classically and musical theatre trained singer, and was the first Wexford person to receive a prestigious Quercus Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship to University College, Cork, while George Lawlor is a long standing member of Wexford Light Opera Society.
Lorna Mahon is a classically trained Mezzo Soprano. She teaches music in the Presentation Secondary School in Wexford and is well known for her many performances at musical events across the South East.
The Castlebridge Community Singers is a mixed choir that enjoys performing a variety of different genres from jazz to pop to traditional, while Wexford’s Eric Hayes is another prominent member of Wexford Light Opera Society and performer in the ‘Sing out Loud’ concerts.
Also appearing will be Maire and Colm O’ Tiarnaigh, a father and daughter duet who are well known to Enniscorthy music lovers. Colm has played violin in a variety of genres from classical to traditional and is well know for his work with church music in St Aidan’s.
Des Whelan from Wexford is a household name throughout the South East for his performing abilities. He has won multiple AIMS awards for his many and varied roles over the years, while the Kinsella sisters, Clodagh and Stephanie, are well known sopranos, both having studied with the internationally acclaimed Deirdre Masterson.
The Enniscorthy Strings Group will be making their debut at the concert.
Tickets for the concert are €10 and are on sale from: O’Leary Travel, Eric Barron, Creane and Creane, Barry Sutton, Eddie Watchorn, PE Kelly Insurances, and Fr Furlong at St Aidan’s Parish Office.