Give the rugby choir a try!

Having sung in venues such as The Aviva, The RDS, Thomond Park, and Ravenhill, to name but a few, Cavan Rugby Club Male Voice Choir are no stranger to the big stage. However, despite the obvious rugby link in the list of notable venues, a background in the oval ball sport or even singing isn't a prerequisite to join, according to their secretary Michael O'Brien.

“We were set up in 2008 as a place to go for a bit of camaraderie and friendship. It was set up by a member of the rugby club, Tom Farrell, but you don't have to have played rugby. I have a Gaelic football background, other people haven't any sporting background.

Experience

“Before I joined the only singing experience I had was singing at social occasions such as after a wedding or in a bar, if I was asked, but that's it. It's a tremendous thing to be involved in, especially for people who are retired.”

The group ranges in age from men in their 50s to early 80s, and contains people from all across Cavan, as Michael explains.

“I retired from the bank in 2014. I used to work for Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB, I'm originally from Ballybay in Monaghan but have lived in Cavan Town for years. We have members from all over the county, from places such as Ballyconnell, Belturbet and Cootehill, with 45 members in total.”

They rehearse each Thursday from 7.30-9pm at the Co Cavan Rugby Clubhouse in Swellan, following the rugby season from September to May. They rehearse and perform under the musical direction Eileen Tackney, accompanied on the keyboard by Carmel Faye.

The group performs mostly for charity events and other good causes as Michael explains.

“We have eight to 10 concerts a year in churches and other venues. We also do concerts to help raise money such as a fundraiser for Ballinagh Missions Hall, a bucket collection every Christmas and we also hope to perform with the Garda Band to raise funds for the Little Blue Heroes in December. We don't charge fees, apart from money to cover the costs for directors and accompanists.”

Old songs

Apart from their usual concerts the band also regularly performed in nursing homes around the county before Covid19 struck. Michael says he hopes this can resume soon.

“We used to go to Castlemanor and College View nursing homes to perform. We sang old songs so people with dementia would join in, it was great to see them singing along and enjoying themselves.”

Benefits

Apart from providing a platform to do charity work, the choir is also very beneficial for its members.

“When you have a group of people singing together it's great for them. Studies have shown that singing is good for your mental health. We sing songs that people know, such as 'You Raise Me Up', 'Sound of Silence','Grace', and 'Ireland's Call' so people can sing along. We've gone to places such as Wales, sang in Paddy's Day Parade in New York, it's a great social get-together. We're always looking for new members, it doesn't matter if you can't sing.”