Colmcille Ladies Choir
Choir presentation
The Colmcille Ladies Choir was founded by the late Bishop of Derry, Dr. Edward Daly, in 1971, to provide the women of the city with a social outlet during the conflict in Northern Ireland.
More than half a century later, the choir continues to grow in strength, with members ranging in age from 20 to 80. The choir’s musical director is Sheila Carlin, and the accompanist (pianist and organist) is Declan Carlin.
Photo captions:
Choir Image 1: The Colmcille Ladies Choir photographed at the Vatican in the private chapel of His Holiness Pope John Paul II in 1982.
Choir Image 2: The Colmcille Ladies Choir photographed with the late Albert Reynolds, former Irish Prime Minister, former US President Bill Clinton, and the late John Hume, former Westminster MP for Foyle and former Northern Ireland Member of the European Parliament.
THE CHOIR DIRECTOR: Sheila Carlin
Sheila Carlin was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, and began studying piano at a young age. As a member of a church choir, she developed a passion for the a cappella repertoire of Palestrina and Victoria and became interested in organ technique. This led her to organ studies and eventually to the position of assistant organist in the church. She continued her musical studies at a Belfast college where, in addition to participating in several university and civic choirs, she took courses in Gregorian chant and choral conducting as part of her music degree.
As head of the music department in a large secondary school, she was responsible for orchestral training, string ensembles, folk groups, and junior and senior choirs—the latter being invited to participate in a combined choir of 400 students that toured Ireland under the auspices of the United Nations in 1995.
She has been the musical director of the Colmcille Choir for 35 years and enjoys training and conducting the choir in their varied repertoire, which includes folk, liturgical, and concert pieces as well as more competitive music.
Declan Carlin (Organist)
Declan Carlin is originally from Derry, Northern Ireland, and began learning the piano and organ at a young age. At university, he studied history, but music has always been his first love.
He has accompanied the Colmcille Choir for over 30 years, covering a wide repertoire of musical genres including sacred and secular music. He also enjoys playing jazz and has traveled extensively to perform at many international festivals.
Over the years, he has been an organist in many churches across the North West of Ireland and is currently the resident organist and choir director at St. Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Derry.
Colmcille Ladies Choir
Choir presentation
The Colmcille Ladies Choir was founded by the late Bishop of Derry, Dr. Edward Daly, in 1971, to provide the women of the city with a social outlet during the conflict in Northern Ireland.
More than half a century later, the choir continues to grow in strength, with members ranging in age from 20 to 80. The choir’s musical director is Sheila Carlin, and the accompanist (pianist and organist) is Declan Carlin.
Photo captions:
Choir Image 1: The Colmcille Ladies Choir photographed at the Vatican in the private chapel of His Holiness Pope John Paul II in 1982.
Choir Image 2: The Colmcille Ladies Choir photographed with the late Albert Reynolds, former Irish Prime Minister, former US President Bill Clinton, and the late John Hume, former Westminster MP for Foyle and former Northern Ireland Member of the European Parliament.
THE CHOIR DIRECTOR: Sheila Carlin
Sheila Carlin was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, and began studying piano at a young age. As a member of a church choir, she developed a passion for the a cappella repertoire of Palestrina and Victoria and became interested in organ technique. This led her to organ studies and eventually to the position of assistant organist in the church. She continued her musical studies at a Belfast college where, in addition to participating in several university and civic choirs, she took courses in Gregorian chant and choral conducting as part of her music degree.
As head of the music department in a large secondary school, she was responsible for orchestral training, string ensembles, folk groups, and junior and senior choirs—the latter being invited to participate in a combined choir of 400 students that toured Ireland under the auspices of the United Nations in 1995.
She has been the musical director of the Colmcille Choir for 35 years and enjoys training and conducting the choir in their varied repertoire, which includes folk, liturgical, and concert pieces as well as more competitive music.
Declan Carlin (Organist)
Declan Carlin is originally from Derry, Northern Ireland, and began learning the piano and organ at a young age. At university, he studied history, but music has always been his first love.
He has accompanied the Colmcille Choir for over 30 years, covering a wide repertoire of musical genres including sacred and secular music. He also enjoys playing jazz and has traveled extensively to perform at many international festivals.
Over the years, he has been an organist in many churches across the North West of Ireland and is currently the resident organist and choir director at St. Columba’s Church, Long Tower, Derry.