Our History

Sligo Choral Society was founded in 1975 and grew out of the Dominican Church Choir, Holy Cross Friary, Sligo. Under the direction of Maura Butler, it was established to continue Sligo’s fine reputation in choral singing, building upon a tradition that combines musical excellence with creativity and innovation. The choir continued to rehearse in the Friary Hall and performed its first concert in the Friary the following year in 1976.

Sligo Choral Society changed its name to Sligo Orpheus Choir in 1994 and has established itself as one of the foremost choirs in the Northwest for the quality of its performance and range of programming. 

The choir has performed at the National Concert Hall, has sung Haydn’s Creation with the English Festival Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall and has performed most of the major Oratorios with Ireland’s leading conductors and orchestras. We have also made many successful T.V. appearances over the years!

Our extensive and varied repertoire ranges from a Capella to the mainstream choral repertoire. In recent years we have completed short concert tours in France, Iceland, Germany and Spain.

Original 1975 Choir members

Seated: Colette McBride, Róisín Barr, Deirdre Parle, Rev. T. Jordan O.P (Holy Cross Prior), Brid Butler (Musical Director & Organist), Mai O’Connor, Angela Rennick, Noela Higgins.
Standing: Doreen O’Connor, Imelda Mullaney, Brian Crummy, Ray Carty, JJ Finan, Sean McManus, Martin Mooney, Mary Palmer, Ann Tansey.
Not Included: Joan Fitzpatrick, Rosaleen Moore, Dermot McDermott, Michael Murphy.