Sligo Orpheus Choir Celebrates 50 Years with Memorable Gala Concert
Sligo Orpheus Choir celebrated a remarkable milestone on the 12th June 2026 with its 50th Anniversary Gala Concert at the Sligo Southern Hotel, marking five decades of choral music, friendship and community spirit.
Compèred by Mr. Joe Kelly, founding member of the choir and former chairperson, the gala concert brought together choir members, former members, supporters and music lovers for an exceptional evening of music and community celebration. The programme featured audience favourites including Danny Boy, Loch Lomond and Mo Ghile Mear, alongside music from South Africa, Italy and the United States. The choir was accompanied by a string quartet and featured solo performances from choir members, making for a rich and varied celebration of the choir's musical journey since its first Sligo concert in Spring 1976.
A particular highlight of the evening was the Irish premiere of Fós, a specially commissioned choral work created to mark the choir's 50th anniversary. The piece was composed by acclaimed Irish composer Laura Shiels, with text by the choir's Musical Director, Ciara Murphy. The commission was made possible through the generosity of audiences who supported the choir's Christmas Concert fundraising efforts and represents a significant milestone in the choir's history.
Over €3,100 was raised during the evening for the North West Hospice, Sligo, in memory of founding choir member Raymond Carty. The impressive total was achieved through a raffle supported by the generosity of local businesses and sponsors, who donated an array of prizes for the occasion.
The choir extends its heartfelt thanks to the management and staff of the Sligo Southern Hotel for their professionalism, hospitality and support in hosting the event, to O’Hehir’s Bakery for donating the beautiful anniversary cake and to Tiger Print for the Anniversary Programme.
We are also indebted to Mr Joe Kelly for the beautiful album, videos and photos of the choir and its activities since 1975 that were on display. If anyone would like to view these, please contact us at info@sligoorpheus.org.
A big thank you also to our other sponsors of the evening: Martin Reilly Motors, MSLETB, MK Oils, Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo County Council, North West Credit Union,The Arts Council, Jones Audiology, Bank of Ireland, Flannery Nagel Environmental, Good 4 U and TopChem Ltd.
