2026 Limerick Choral Festival returns for Friday, 6th and Saturday, 7th of March

2026 Limerick Choral Festival returns for Friday, 6th and Saturday, 7th of March

The 2026 Limerick Choral Festival will take place on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th March, continuing a proud tradition of major choral celebration in Limerick

The 2026 Limerick Choral Festival will take place on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th March, continuing a proud tradition of major choral celebration in the city that stretches back over seventy years.

Limerick’s rich choral heritage dates to the 1950s, when a festival of plainchant was established at St. John’s Cathedral to foster a love of sacred music particularly amongst school choirs. In the late 1970s, the Church Music International Festival became a flagship St. Patrick’s week event, attracting choirs from across Ireland and abroad.

Following the discontinuation of that festival in 2000, a unified city-wide choral event was established in 2004 – forming what is now the Limerick Choral Festival of Sacred Music.

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Today, the festival is recognised as the only choral festival in Ireland dedicated predominantly to sacred music, making it a distinctive and important platform for choirs who enjoy liturgical, inspirational, and spiritual repertoire.

This year’s events will be hosted in the beautiful surroundings of Mount St. Alphonsus (Redemptorists) and St. Joseph’s Church, O’Connell Avenue. Over 30 choirs from across Ireland – including groups from Clare, Westmeath, Waterford, Offaly, Dublin, Cork and Tipperary – will join a strong Limerick representation.

Participating local choirs include – to name but a few are Limerick Educate Together National School Choir; John F. Kennedy Memorial School Choir; Milford National School Choir; and Shountrade National School Choir.

Over the two days, audiences can enjoy a rich and varied programme of sacred repertoire, gospel, early music and contemporary choral works.

The festival continues to provide an important performance platform for school, youth, community, parish and adult choirs, nurturing excellence while strengthening community engagement through music and song.

This year’s distinguished adjudicators are Dr. Bernie Sherlock (Dublin) and Mr. Peter Stobart (Cork) – highly respected figures in Irish choral music whose experience and insight will be invaluable to participating choirs throughout the weekend.

Opening Concert – Friday 6th March, 7:30pm The festival opens with a special concert at St. Joseph’s Church, O’Connell Avenue, featuring the acclaimed Aoide Voices, conducted by Owen Gilhooly-Miles, alongside Limerick Chamber Choir, directed by Máire Keary Scanlon.

Doors open at 7:00pm. Admission is free, with a retiring collection. Dr. Michael P. O’Brien, President of the Limerick Choral Festival Society, expressed sincere gratitude to the participating choirs, adjudicators, volunteers, supporters and sponsors whose dedication ensures the continued growth and success of this important cultural event.

All competitions and associated events are open to the public, commencing at 11:00am on Friday 6th March at Mount St. Alphonsus Church. Further information is available online. Follow Limerick Choral Festival on Facebook for updates and programme details.