Le Chéile Singers set for Athlone celebration
Le Chéile Singers in Cootehill will make their way to Athlone this weekend to take part in the inaugural One Town One Voice national singing celebration.
Established in (2023) the Le Chéile One Voice Singers group aims to bring everyone in the community together to sing as one regardless of nationality, ethnicity or legal status.
A secular singing movement there are now 20 One Town One Voice singing groups across Ireland and the initiative is overseen by the Family Resource Centre National Forum – the governing body of family resource centres across Ireland.
Gemma Kettle of the Le Chéile One Voice Singers group says their members are so very excited to represent their town at the national gathering at the Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone where over 40 nationalities will be represented on May 25.
“We’ve a wonderful group here, some people who were born and reared here and others who have moved to the area over the years for work, or love or maybe to find safety and sanctuary. No matter where you are from you are welcome in the Le Chéile One Voice Singersgroup. We’ve been working on material ahead of Sunday’s gathering and all of the signing groups are going to collaborate on one big number – we’re very excited. This initiative helps everyone in our town – especially people who might feel isolated or lonely. It gives everyone the most enormous lift and provides vital connections – plus its lots of fun! It’s for young and old and everyone in between. It’s a secular singing group and we have so much fun.”
Nastasha Muldoon, the national coordinator of One Town One Voice said this first-ever national gathering is a great opportunity to celebrate this movement which was originally started in Fermoy, Co Cork.
“It started with one group in 2019 and then another came on board and another….to the point where we now have 20-groups established with more waiting in the wings to get going. We’d urge other towns to look at setting up groups too. Now more than ever we need people in communities across Ireland coming together to show solidarity and kindness with everyone in their community, to unite rather than divide, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their neighbours no matter where they are from originally. To be one town with one voice.”
Cleona Hartley Brennan of the Le Chéile One Voice Singers would love more people in the town and surrounding area to join with them – especially people who have moved from other countries. To get in touch just email lecheilesingers23@gmail.com.