The Guinness Choir was founded in 1951, over 70 years ago, for the employees of the Guinness brewery. It is one of the oldest mixed voice choirs in Dublin and was one of the earliest workplace choirs in Ireland. The choir has since left the ambit of the brewery and is an independent, self-funded, choir attracting amateur singers from all over Dublin and beyond to sing the great oratorios and major classical works as well as the many beautiful choral works from the renaissance, baroque, modern and contemporary eras. Over the years, the choir has given many hundreds of amateur singers the opportunity and privilege to perform these works with professional orchestras and soloists in major venues in Ireland and abroad.
Please join our mailing list to be kept informed of future concerts, and information will be on our Upcoming Concerts page.
Music Director – Ciarán Kelly
Ciarán Kelly took up his appointment as our new Music Director in September 2022. Ciarán hails from Derry and has sung competitively and as a performer in Ireland, the UK and America. He is the recently appointed Head of Music in King’s Hospital School, Palmerstown and is a former Assistant Director of Music at St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral, Dublin. Ciarán has an MMus in Choral Conducting, is an experienced choral tutor and has led workshops with choral societies, schools and universities in the UK, Europe and Asia. He was also founder and Artistic Director of Ardú, a professional prizewinning vocal ensemble and a conductor of other choral groups.
The Guinness Choir is absolutely thrilled to have a musician of Ciarán’s calibre, energy and experience as Music Director. We are already enjoying exciting, challenging and rewarding choral experiences under his baton!
Our Rehearsal Venue
The Guinness Choir is also delighted that Holy Trinity Church, Rathmines is now our wonderful rehearsal venue. The church includes a generous, comfortable rehearsal space with excellent acoustics together with a break out area (for a well-earned break!) and full washroom facilities. There is free on-street car parking (after 7pm) and the Beechwood Luas stop is 7 minutes walking distance. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday from 7:45p.m. to 10:00p.m. from September to May.
News
A retired member Joan Cowle is featured in a clip on RTE Drivetime about Music Therapy.
The benefits of music therapyCLIP • 7 MINS • 14 JUN • DRIVETIME
Suzanne Campbell, RTÉ Reporter.
Interview with Joan Cowle on her experience of Music Therapy in the Creative Life Hub of the Mercer Institute for Successful Ageing at St. James’ Hospital.
New singers welcome!
The Guinness Choir welcomes enquiries from potential new members for September. We are especially looking for Tenors and Basses although all voice types are invited to get in touch.
Come to our Open Rehearsals and informal auditions on Tuesday September 5th and September 12th.
Ability to read music or formal musical education are not essential but desirable. Whichever voice part suits you, you will be among supportive friends.
To attend an open rehearsal please get in touch – we would love to hear from you (especially if you are a tenor or a bass!)
Click here for more information on singing with us: joining The Guinness Choir.
Recent concerts
For details please see our Recent Concerts page.
Here’s a summary of what we got up to last season:
The Christmas Concert in December 2022 included works by exciting contemporary composers such as Runestad, Gjielo, Forrest and Hagenburg with a selection of favourite carols complete with audience participation.
In April 2023 we had the privilege of performing two of the great choral works, Mozart’s Requiem and Mass in C Minor
And we completed a glorious season with the joyous Vivaldi’s Gloria and Magnificat.
A super end to a wonderful season of song. This short video on our YouTube channel shows the enjoyment and reward we got.
Here’s what Liliana (soprano) and Ben (bass) say about their experience when joining the choir:
Ciarán Kelly took up his appointment as our new Music Director in September 2022. Ciarán hails from Derry and has sung competitively and as a performer in Ireland, the UK and America. He is the recently appointed Head of Music in King’s Hospital School, Palmerstown and is a former Assistant Director of Music at St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral, Dublin. Ciarán has an MMus in Choral Conducting, is an experienced choral tutor and has led workshops with choral societies, schools and universities in the UK, Europe and Asia. He was also founder and Artistic Director of Ardú, a professional prizewinning vocal ensemble and a conductor of other choral groups.
The Guinness Choir is absolutely thrilled to have a musician of Ciarán’s calibre, energy and experience as Music Director. We are already enjoying exciting, challenging and rewarding choral experiences under his baton!
The Guinness Choir welcomes enquiries from potential new members for September. We are especially looking for Tenors and Basses although all voice types are invited to get in touch.
Come to our Open Rehearsals and informal auditions on Tuesday September 5th and September 12th.
Ability to read music or formal musical education are not essential but desirable. Whichever voice part suits you, you will be among supportive friends.
To attend an open rehearsal please get in touch – we would love to hear from you (especially if you are a tenor or a bass!)
Click here for more information on singing with us: joining The Guinness Choir.