5,000 people to take part in Cork International Choral Festival

THE world-renowned Cork International Choral Festival is set to take centre stage this May bank holiday weekend, with more than 5,000 participants due to bring their musical talents to the city.

The festival, now in its 69th year, will take place from May 1-5, and will feature hundreds of national and international choirs in a lineup of exciting performances and workshops.

With more than 90 venues hosting gala performances, competitions, fringe concerts, and free public performances, there will be music everywhere you turn across Cork city and county.

Highlights of the 2024 programme include the popular Afternoons in the Atrium at Clayton Hotel, the Cobh Fringe Festival featuring choirs at scenic locations, and a new venue at the Marina Market.

The festival will also feature the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy competition, the Cork School of Music (CSM) Symphony Orchestra, and renowned choirs such as the State Choir LATVIJA and Chamber Choir Ireland.

The festival will also showcase the finale of Ireland’s Choir of the Year competition, delivering the best Irish choirs alongside international talent.

Tickets are still available for a select number of performances including the opening gala concert featuring the CSM Symphony Orchestra and Fleischmann Choir, which will take place on May 1 at 8pm in Cork City Hall; the Chamber Choir Ireland’s premier performance, which will take place on May 3 from 7.30pm at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral; the Ireland’s Choir of the Year final, which will take place on May 5 at 9.30am at City Hall; and the festival closing gala, which will also take place on May 5 at City Hall from 8pm.

The Cork International Choral Festival is supported by the Arts Council, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council, and Cork County Council, with The Echo, the Irish Examiner, and Cork’s 96FM serving as media partners.

The full programme of events and festival tickets are available via the Cork Choral website corkchoral.ie.