Brought to you by Cork International Choral Festival.

Calling all choir folk and music lovers!

Get ready for a cappella bliss because the Cork International Choral Festival is back for its 69th year… and it’s all happening over the May bank holiday weekend.

Five glorious days of singing are about to fill the streets and stages of Cork City and county, from May 1st to 5th, 2024.

Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just enjoy a good tune, this festival is for you. There are even workshops and events to get you involved, so no musical experience is necessary.

Highlights include the Afternoons in the Atrium, Clayton Hotel which returns on Saturday and Sunday, May 4th and 5th, and Cobh Fringe Festival, which will see choirs singing in locations such as St. Colman’s Cathedral, Christ Church, The Heritage Centre, Bandstand on the Promenade.

Finn O’Mahony from UCC Singers pictured at the launch of the Cork International Choral Festival at Cork City Hall. Photo: Giovanni Valente

A new venue for 2024, this year will see choirs signing at the Marina Market on Saturday, May 4th too – it’s the perfect musical lunch date to enjoy with the kids.

Other exciting events will include the hotly contested annual Fleischmann International Trophy competition, which offers audiences the opportunity to hear some of the world’s top amateur choir’s competing for one of Europe’s most prestigious choral prizes.

Audiences will also enjoy the Cork School of Music (CSM) Symphony Orchestra and Fleischmann Choir, who will present Stanford at 100 – Stabat Mater, the composer’s iconic piece for the Opening Gala Concert on Wednesday, May 1st.

Ben Jacob, Denise Stobart and Saoirse Daly. Photo: Giovanni Valente

Magical music in stunning locations

On the Thursday night of the Festival, one of Europe’s most well-known choirs, The State Choir LATVIJA, will perform in Cork City Hall. The renowned choir is internationally acclaimed and has participated in recordings produced by Naxos, Warner Brothers, Harmonia Mundi, Wergo and Ondine.

St. Finbarre’s Cathedral will reverberate beautifully to the sounds of Chamber Choir Ireland, which will give the premier performance of the winning entry in the 2024 Seán Ó Riada composition competition.

With the prestigious feature event for Irish choirs – Ireland’s Choir of the Year – taking place during the festival, along with an eclectic array of international competitions and musical styles set to be performed over the five days, Cork is the place to be for the sweet sounds of music in the run-up to and during the May bank holiday weekend.

Finally the much-loved Fringe Choral Festival returns this year to Cobh. Exciting venues will include the majestic St. Colman’s Cathedral, the Sirius Art Centre, Christchurch (Cobh) and a Choral Trail which includes Cobh Band Stand, Cobh Heritage Centre, and the Commodore Hotel with different choirs performing every half hour throughout the afternoon on May 4th and 5th.

Festival tickets for The Cork International Choral Festival 2024, running across Cork City and county from May 1st to 5th, 2024, can be booked now at corkchoral.ie.