Dream becomes reality as North Clondalkin Choir to sing in Vatican

A CHOIR from Clondalkin will be performing a famous film score from the film ‘Gladiator’ outside the Colosseum, Rome this week.

The North Clondalkin Community Choir are travelling to Italy on March 8 and will perform in the Vatican, Rome and in the town of Assisi.

“It’s a great achievement to get inside-access to the Vatican, it’s a privilege afforded to very few,” said Noel J. Collins, Musical Director.

The choir will be singing in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Sunday, March 10 and in St. Francis’ Basilica, Assissi on Monday March 11.

“Last year we were learning the Gladiator and one of the choir members said, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful to perform it in Rome?’ and I replied, ‘why not?’,” said Noel, who looked into the possibility. “So the dream became a reality,” he added.

The choir, which is just over a year old, practice every Monday from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm in Rowlagh Church.

“It’s affording locals access to professional music education with no financial barrier, it’s all done on a voluntary basis. So we can only do so with the support of South Dublin County Council (SDCC) and Hanley’s Supervalu [Rowlagh] and Tower Credit Union and Rowlagh Credit Union,” said Noel.

There are benefits connected with the singing which are of great importance. “A number of the members of the choir are disadvantaged and vulnerable, it’s a vital support for the mental health of members of the choir, many of whom were isolated during Covid,” said Noel.

Members of North Clondalkin Choir

The choir will sing ‘May the road rise to meet you’ and a sacred repertoire in both the Vatican and Assissi and will be singing in both Latin and Italian in St. Peter’s. “We are bringing the music for ‘Now we are free’, a film score from

‘Gladiator’, and we will be singing in Italian at the Colisseum,” said Noel.

While most choirs are made up of either adults or children this choir is made up of both, which gives it a unique sound, says Noel. “Many of our members come from the same family, there is a good dynamic, some members have mental health issues, there is an intergenerational interplay,” said Noel.

There is also “a professional management structure” regarding the choir, said Noel. He is the Head of Music in Oatlands College, Mount Merrion while his wife, who also assists him in teaching the choir, is a trained secondary school teacher. “There are very tight controls over the management and leadership of the group,” said Noel who lives in North Clondalkin.

“The members of the choir are“absolutely buzzing” about the trip.

“There’s a real air of excitement, a lot of the members of the choir have never been to Rome before,” said Noel.

Noel is full of praise for the group.

“They’re a real inspiration, [there’s] a great sense of energy. They give me the motivation to work the hardest I can for them,” he said.

The inspiration for the formation of the choir came from a conversation between Noel and Paula Murphy, a recently retired librarian in north Clondalkin library who approached Noel with the prospect of setting up a choir for the area.

The non-denominational choir has approximately 60 members whose youngest members are eight years old while the eldest member is 84 years old.

“Whether young in years or young in heart, everyone is welcome regardless of income, race, gender or belief.

“It is [also] important to state that our choir is not a Church choir,” said Noel.