Pictures: More than 500 Cork students participate in City Hall faith music event 

Almost 500 students from 20 post primary schools across Cork city and county took part in the first ever music and faith based celebration and received numerous standing ovations from a sell-out audience when it took place in City Hall during the week.

The high energy day of faith workshops, musical rehearsals and the concert, entitled Maranatha 2025, were organised by the Diocese of Cork and Ross.

It was a first for the diocese and it is planned that it will be the an annual faith and music celebration for students across the city and county.

According to its organisers, the day long event was created to bring young people together to celebrate faith and identity through music and have fun at the same time with students gathering for a full day of activities before the Maranatha 2025 concert in the evening.

Addressing the young people and the attendees from across the diocese in the audience, Bishop Fintan Gavin thanked everyone who made it possible and said Maranatha’s purpose was focused on an important question for all young people.

“The biggest question all of us face in our life is about our identity: Who am I? In a sense, our whole life is trying to work out who we are,” said Bishop Gavin.

“If there’s anything I want you to hear this evening coming out of Maranatha it is this: you are the beloved daughter and son of God,” he added. “You are loved by God!”

Participating students had been rehearsing for several weeks before Thursday’s event filled day.

What was described as an engaging workshop took place in the morning with a focus on the fundamentals of faith.

A final full musical rehearsal followed in City Hall in the afternoon before the evening concert which was open to the general public.