Full support for fine Carols concert

Some 350 people attended last night's 'Carols by Candlelight' concert in Kilcullen Parish Church, and were treated to a fine performance of seasonal music by junior and adult musicians, writes Brian Byrne.

The event was in aid of the Brannoxtown National School Music Project, with contributions also to the Kilcullen & Gormanstown Parish funds.

The evening was opened by the children from the school playing 'Jingle Bells' on their violins, which pupils from 1st to 5th classes are learning through a programme underpinned by the Herbert Lodge Music School.

Then the choir of the 92-pupils school gave their very fine renditions of 'Joy to the World' and 'Silent Night', and were followed by Baritone Paul Treacey with 'When a Child is Born' and 'Ave Maria', accompanied in the former by his son Samuel — a pupil at the school.

The Millicent Singers completed the programme through to the intermission with a variety of presentations ranging from 'Hodie Christus Natus Est' through to 'Old McDonald Had a Farm'.

The Baldonnel Singers with Tenor Paul Lenihan entertained after the interval with a playlist which included many of the favourite carols down through the ages, concluding with the haunting 'O Holy Night'.



All in all, a truly wonderful evening by general consensus. Tracy Piggott, whose daughter attends Brannoxtown NS, acted as MC for the occasion. The event was very strongly supported by the parents of and teachers of the school and their friends, and by very many local businesses and organisations who sponsored spot prizes and sold tickets.