West Cork Choral Singers

In December 1990, following the Carol Service in Abbeystrewry Church, the Reverend Richard Henderson asked Ann Chambers (a locally-based American artist) to invite non-Church of Ireland members to help boost the strength of the choir for the next annual Carol Service.  After a few practice sessions in her house this new ensemble performed at the 1991 service.  Following this, they felt it was a shame not to be singing the whole year round, and this was how the idea of a choir was formed.  Ann advertised for singers in January 1992 and the West Cork Choral Singers were founded.

Now, the West Cork Choral Singers, a mixed choir of between 35 and 40 members is under the musical directorship of Susan Nares.

The choir usually holds its weekly practice every Monday night in St Matthew’s Hall, Church Cross, near Skibbereen.  Choir members come from a radius of 40 kilometres and, at last count, comprised eight nationalities. Diversity is the raison d’être of the choir.