Music enthusiasts can combine a visit to one of Ireland’s historic cities with the chance to hear wonderful choral singing.
Three choral festivals will take place in 2025 on the island of Ireland, each presenting world-class choral concerts, exciting competitions and fun pop-up events.
Cork International Choral Festival, April 30 to May 4
Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, Cork International Choral Festival brings singers from around the world to Ireland’s second city for five days of superb choral performances. One of Europe’s most prestigious choral events, the festival features performances in some 90 venues across Cork city and county.
Highlights of the festival include the highly respected Fleischmann International Trophy competition for amateur choirs, and Ireland’s Choir of the Year competition. Music styles will range from church music to light jazz and pop, a cappella and performances accompanied by a symphony orchestra.
As well as ticketed events there will be informal singing in scenic locations around the city and county which in previous years have included the chapel of the Nano Nagle Centre, the city library, the Crawford Gallery, restaurants, hotels and outdoor riverside areas.
Festival goers should also make sure to see some of Cork city’s top attractions such as the English Market, historic Cork City Gaol and Elizabeth Fort, and the Franciscan Well Brewery.
Festival of Voice, Dublin, June 27–29
The National Concert Hall in Dublin will host the inaugural Festival of Voice in 2025 celebrating the power, beauty and universality of the human voice. The weekend programme will span classical, Irish traditional, and contemporary music performed by soloists, chamber ensembles, children’s and community choirs and gospel choirs.
The Sixteen, one of the world’s finest and most renowned choral ensembles, will perform Angel of Peace, while leading chamber choir New Dublin Voices will celebrate its twentieth anniversary with a programme spanning the centuries.
The Festival of Voice aims to be inclusive, and the Sunday lunchtime event invites anyone who loves to sing to join in the Sing Out with Sing Ireland workshop. There will also be pop-up events across the city such as Morning Songs, Songs of the Liberties – a collective participative choir event celebrating the songs of the city – and Puccini in the Pub.
Dublin is a hub of arts and culture and those coming to the city to attend the festival will find plenty of music beyond the festival programme. Trad music sessions are daily events in many of the city’s pubs and the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience celebrates Ireland’s vibrant music industry.
City of Derry International Choir Festival, October 22–26
Almost 100 choirs, 82 events and over 4,000 participants made up the joyous celebration of choral singing that was last year’s City of Derry International Choir Festival. The festival presents concerts by world-renowned vocal groups, choir competitions, workshops and educational events for singers and conductors across stages in Derry~Londonderry, Strabane and Donegal. It has a strong non-competitive aspect featuring performances by community choirs from Ireland, the UK and beyond and choral trails in landmark locations across Derry~Londonderry and the surrounding area. These include the Peace Bridge, the Free Derry Museum, the Derry Girls Mural and the famous 400-year-old walls.
The festival brings song into every corner of the walled city, beginning with the opening gala concert in the city’s Millenium Forum, through multiple Big Sing events and stunning displays of vocal artistry in the prestigious Oak Tree of Derry International Competition.
Derry~Londonderry is known for offering visitors a warm welcome and festival goers will find the friendliness of the locals and the energy of the performances to be an intoxicating mix.
