After the very successful Mayo International Choral Festival which took place recently, the organisers may be interested to note that the centenary of the founding of Castlebar Choral Society took place six years ago. On the 5th November 1907, a meeting was held in Castlebar, consisting of former members of the local Gaelic League Choir and other organisations, in order to form the Society or to give its proper name; Castlebar Orchestral and Choral Society. Mr. JJ Collins chaired the meeting and along with a Mr. P Byrne, they announced that Prof. JP Mullins had consented to take charge as Conductor.
The following Officers were elected: President; JJ Collins; Vice-Presidents; Rev. JW Meehan, CC (of Fr Meehan Place fame) and MJ Egan, Co. Secretary, Mayo County Council; Treasurer; P. Byrne; Hon. Sec.; T Lavelle, Bridge Street.
The Committee consisted of; Messrs SJ McCormack, UDC; John Hoban Jnr.; J Timlin; H Farrell, T Durcan Jnr and H Patterson.
Arrangements were made to procure from Messrs. HM Gill & Sons Ltd, suitable Irish and Anglo-Irish songs in a four-part harmony.
Mrs. Townsend Gahan played the piano whilst up to twenty members joined that evening. So began Castlebar’s Choral adventures.
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