It was a birthday to remember last Saturday night (31st) as Lucan Gospel Choir celebrated its 21st in some style in the stunning Maynooth College Chapel.
They joined with the Joy Gospel Singers from Malta for a concert hosted by the Lifesaving Foundation, an Irish registered international charity which supports and promotes evidence-based research into drowning prevention and rescue.
This very special gala concert to honour the important work of the Lifesaving Foundation, was the fourth time the Joy Gospel Singers and Lucan Gospel Choir sang together.
Formed in 1998 by Bernie Martin as Lucan Gospel Singers, the local choir was later reformed as Lucan Gospel Choir as it grew under current director Ian Brabazon.
Now one of Ireland’s most successful community gospel choirs, as a non-profit group, the choir sings for fun, while also raising much needed funds for charities and community groups along the way.
Lucan Gospel Choir also has an active social committee, ensuring that choir members make lifelong friends as well as sharing music.
With a wide repertoire mixing traditional gospel and contemporary songs, they regularly perform tracks from well-known artists ranging from Leonard Cohen to U2.
They’ve also graced the stages of top venues in Ireland such as The Olympia Theatre, The Helix, Draiocht, and The Civic Theatre, as well as providing the gospel sound for the Elvis Presley 40th Anniversary Concert at the National Concert Hall.
At Saturday night’s concert, John Connolly and Brendan Donohoe of the Lifesaving Foundation were presented with awards for their work nationally and internationally in the area of lifesaving.
The Lifesaving foundation also presented Ian Brabazon with a piece of Waterford crystal, in recognition of his work and support of the foundation over the past decade.
Brendan Donohoe, Chair of the Lifesaving Foundation told Dublin Gazette the concert was a great success.
“Both choirs worked hard over the past six months to prepare a programme that both choirs came together to sing,” he said.
“It was a magical experience with the amazing surroundings and the choir of over 100 members, just an unforgettable night for all concerned.”
