St Patrick’s Choral returned to Bristol following their first, and very successful, tour abroad to Ireland.

Bristol to Galway
The choir set off from Bristol on and flew to Shannon Airport on the West of Ireland arriving 10 minutes ahead of schedule! After arriving at their hotel in the centre of Galway there was time for a look around the immediate vicinity and check out some of the local brew.

Galway
There was plenty of time during the day to explore the city and surrounding area before returning to Galway Cathedral for a rehearsal at 3.00 pm. Choirmaster David Forde had already been at the organ for several hours making the most of the opportunity of playing such a fine instrument! For most members of the choir this was the first real experience of singing with an authentic pipe organ and that, along with the acoustic of the Cathedral, took a bit of getting used to. Singing in the Cathedral created quite an impression on both the choir and the congregation alike. St Patrick’s weren’t the only visitors to Galway for Mass as we were joined by visitors from the America, so the name of St Patrick’s will be spread even further afield. After Mass the congregation and choir were treated to two fantastic organ voluntaries by guest organist John Bodiley and our own Mr Forde. After that there was more time to socialise!

Galway to Newtown and Waterford via Cashel
After an early start the choir headed towards the sunny South East and Waterford. En route was a scheduled stop at the Rock of Cashel - seat of the Kings of Ireland and one of the 1001 places to visit in the world before you die. It was then on to Waterford where the choir sang the Mass at David’s home parish of St Joseph and St Benildus where we met his parents, parish priest and former music teacher - so no pressure there! The choir were also privileged to perform ‘Praise the Lord, all you Nations’ written by Fintan O’Carroll for the consecration of the church in 1968. After Mass the choir were treated to a reception with parishioners including members of David’s former choir (including Val Doonican’s sister). On returning to the hotel the whole party enjoyed a meal together.

Waterford
It was an early start for David and Lesley Lee who were scheduled for a chat on BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Somerset’s ‘Sunday Starts’ with Trevor Fry at 8.40 am. Then it was off to Waterford Cathedral - the oldest Catholic cathedral in Ireland and where David spent time as assistant organist - for a rehearsal. Mass was at noon and was celebrated by St Patrick’s Parish Priest Father Gregory Grant and, as the two previous Masses, the choir received an ovation. After Mass Father Gerry Langford was presented with a Bristol Blue Glass cruet, as were our hosts at Galway and Newtown. David also made a special presentation to Waterford Cathedral’s organist of ‘A History of Waterford Cathedral Organ’ written by himself. The afternoon was then free to explore Waterford.

Waterford to Bristol
The final day in Ireland allowed more free time before setting off for the trip back to Shannon and the flight back to Bristol. The excitement lasted right up until the landing at Bristol Airport - one of the worst landings experienced by many! From a sunny Ireland to a wet and windy Bristol.

It was a fantastic trip however, summed up aptly in these words from Father Gregory, “I was very proud to accompany the choir on such a wonderful journey. Many people in the congregation remarked on how their singing made the hairs stand on their neck!

“For me, however, the moving thing was to see a group of parishioners who four years ago were strangers to each other and who have become good friends and who from nothing - in these few years can represent the parish abroad with the expertise and talent of a professional choir. There aren’t many parish choirs in the world who with ordinary parishioners can receive a standing ovation in Galway Cathedral. Well done to David and all the choir, we should all be very proud of them.”