The Kilkenny Gospel Choir once again decided to take an active role in involving the people of Kilkenny and surrounding counties in partaking in an event while fundraising for a worthwhile cause. Upon learning of the devastation and plight of the people of Haiti, we sat down and wondered what we as a choir and outreach group could do and a decision was made that we would host a concert in aid of the people of Haiti. Fr. Willie went on local radio and made an open invitation for people to join us on the night. The number of people and various groups who approached the choir was truly heartwarming.

Over €12,000 was raised during the collection made on the night. We can never express our gratitude for the generosity shown on the night by all those who attended. We are also very grateful to all those who performed on the night, Darren Holden, Don Mescall, Mick Hanley, Stephen Murphy, Mog O’Grady & Billy Carrigan, Jim Maher & Paddy Fitzpatrick, Thomastown Choir, Dungarvan Gospel Choir, Thukolo, Scoil Airegail and Na Fianna. We were also honoured to have Bishop Seamus Freeman along with Brian Cody, Sue Nunn, Sr. Maeve Guinan and many others in attendance on the night and for a huge thank you to them for giving their time. We also have to thank Edwina Grace for her fantastic job as compare on the night, Seamus Reade for his position as stage manager and to Conmore Press for printing the posters. All of these people gave of their time freely and the Kilkenny Gospel Choir are grateful that we have friends such as these on hand.

Lastly I would just like to say a big thank you to our own members of the Kilkenny Gospel Choir, who give of their time so generously time and time again.

This Saturday morning we’re linking up with the UN peace keepers in Chad for mass at 11:30am. Family members of the Kilkenny Gospel Choir are currently serving in Chad.

At the Kilkenny Army Barracks on Saturday morning we will join with families and friends for a very special celebration.

Thousands of people have turned out in Kilkenny for the start of celebrations marking its designation as a city on this day 400 years ago.  We were delighted to be the chosen choir to lead the opening ceremony for this great event for our City.

The organisers of Kilkenny 400 are hoping that the nine-month long festival will bring a welcome economic boost to the popular tourist town.

On this day 400 years ago, King James I, the then King of Ireland and son of the infamous Mary Queen of Scots, granted Kilkenny a charter designating it a city.

A decision was taken a number of years ago by Kilkenny Borough Council to hold a celebration this year to mark the milestone.

The celebrations got under way with an open air performance by the Kilkenny Gospel Choir.

Due to a rare gap in The High Kings busy schedule leading up to the Dublin shows, Darren Holden was able to accept an invitation to go home to Kilkenny and perform with the Kilkenny Gospel Choir on Friday night.

The concert at St Mary’s Cathedral was a charity event for Cancer Care on Daffodil Day and the appearance of Kilkenny’s favourite son will have done much to make the event a success. Darren got a fantastic reception from his home crowd who were able to enjoy him performing with his keyboard, something he doesn’t get to do very much these days while The High Kings are enjoying such phenomenal success with the traditional music.