Choirs compete for honours at 31st Navan Choral Festival

Navan Choral Festival celebrated its 31st anniversary by bringing 50 choirs and 3,000 visitors to the town last weekend for what has been described as an outstanding cultural event. There was a huge increase in the number of entries, particularly from primary and secondary schools, over the four days of the festival, which got underway last Thursday. Participants competed at the Navan O'Mahonys GFC Centre, Simonstown GFC Centre, St Mary's Church of Ireland Church, and a new additional venue, the Newgrange Hotel. The managements and staffs of the individual centres were thanked by the festival's organisers. They also thanked Canon John Clarke who compered the Navan Rotary National Choir of the Year Competition and for the use of St Mary's Church of Ireland Church during the festival. Canon Clarke said that music played an important part in our lives "and so we value the talent of the musicians and appreciste the fine qualities and standards attained. We are greatly enhanced by the gifts of so many". The Navan Rotary National Choir of the Year Competition was held in the Newgrange Hotel on Sunday night. It was won by the D8 Choir, Dublin, with the Cantoiri Choir, Dublin, as runners-up. The event was attended by the Mayor of Navan, Cllr Joe Reilly, who welcomed the choirs to Navan and complimented the festival management team. He said the festival had established Meath as one of the country's major cultural centres. Navan Rotary chairman Robin Byrne thanked the eight choirs participating in the national competition. He said Navan Rotary was delighted to be associated with the event. Mr Byrne presented a new silver Navan Rotary Cup and €1,500 to the winning choir. Minister for Transport and Meath West TD Noel Dempsey presented the second prize of a silver tray and €200 to the Cantoiri Choir. The Rotary chairman said that the standard of singing was of an extremely high standard and he complimented the festival's management team on their achievement. The organisers also acknowledged the valuable assistance of the Bishop of Meath, Canon John Clarke, Meath County Council, Navan Urban Council, Navan Town Centre, Foras na Gaeilge, Meath Tourism, Failte Ireland, Solstice Arts Centre, Cottage Gallery and Studio, Lyric FM, Navan Rotary, Meath Partnership, The Newgrange Hotel, and the many advertisers and subscribers. Results: Primary Schools Competitions • Primary School Junior Choirs: 1, Holy Family Primary and Nursery School, Derry. • Comortas Cor Bunscoile i nGaeilge: 1, St Mary's College, CSSP Junior School Choir, Dublin. • Music Theatre Competition for Primary Schools: 1, St Michael's Boys' National School, Trim. Youth/Post-Primary Schools Competitions. • Post Primary School Junior Choirs: 1, Alexandra College Intermediate Choir; 2, St Peter's College, Dunboyne. • Post-Primary School Choirs: 1, De La Salle Senior Choir, Waterford; 2, St Mary's College, Derry; 3, St Michael's Loreto, Navan. • Contemporary Youth/Post-Primary School Choirs: 1, De La Salle Senior Choir, Waterford. • Comortas Cor Iar-Bhunscoile/Oganaigh i n Gaeilge: 1, De La Salle Senior Choir, Waterford. • Foreign Language Youth/Post-Primary School Choirs: 1, Anam Girls' Choir, Co Kildare; 2, Wesley College Chamber, Dublin. • Youth Choirs Under-18: 1, Mayo School of Music, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo. • National Choir of the Year (Up to 24 years): 1, Co Limerick Youth Choir, Dooradoyle, Limerick; 2, St Mary's College, Derry. Piano Competitions • Under-9: 1, Eoghan McGale; Distinction, Luissa Guinane; Distinction, Ciara Blake. • Under-11: 1, Grace Nally; Distinction, Eleanor Murchan; Distinction, Amelia Guinane; Distinction, Cian Egenton. • Under-13: 1, Megan Pottinger; 2, Jack Delaney; Distinction, Cathal McGuinness; Distinction, Etain Collins. • Under-16: 1, Maebh Madden; 2, Hanna McMahon; Distinction, Olivia Hickey. • Senior Competition: 1, Richard Banahan. Solo Singing • Under-11: 1, Rachael Conaghan. • Under-13: 1, Harriet Wilkinson. • Under-16: 1, Martha Hayes. • Senior Competition: 1, Orla Colleton. Adult Choirs Competition • Music Theatre Competition: 1, The Kill Singers, Kill, Co Kildare. • Contemporary Competition: 1, Dolce Choir, Dublin. • Popular Music Choirs/Choruses: 1, Dublin Airport Singers, Dublin. • Early Music Competition: 1, Cantoiri Choir, Dublin. • Chamber Choirs: 1, The Academy Chamber Choir, Tullamore. • Sacred Music Choirs/Choruses: 1, Seoda Choir, Limerick. • Male Voice Choirs: 1, Wicklow Male Voice Choir. • Female Choirs: 1, Seoda Choir, Limerick. • Comortas Gaeilge: 1, Rockmount Choir, Dublin. • Mixed Voice Choirs: 1, Thurles Gospel Choir.