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Cór na nÓg

Cór na nÓg - young girls in white shirts and pink ties

Cór na nÓg is one of Ireland’s leading children’s choirs, providing vocal training and performance experience for sixty children aged between nine and thirteen, in a fun, social and supportive environment.

The choir was formed in 1987 by RTÉ’s choral director, Colin Mawby, also founder of the National Symphony Chorus (formerly RTÉ Philharmonic Choir.) He was succeeded by Blánaid Murphy and Maire Mannion, before current Choral Director Mary Amond O’Brien assumed the position in 2011.

Over the years, Cór na nÓg has performed at hundreds of State, festival and charity events in prestigious venues including St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Áras an Úachtaráin and the Pro-Cathedral, as well as appearing on RTÉ TV, RTÉ Radio, and with the National Symphony Orchestra and RTÉ Concert Orchestra. They have worked with artists of the highest calibre including Joyce DiDonato, André Rieu, Liam Lawton and Gavan Ring.

Repertoire is varied and challenging, it could be Mozart one moment, Irish Traditional or musical theatre the next, keeping things fresh and fun while incorporating all tastes and interests. Rehearsals take place in Dublin twice a week on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings during term time (September-May) with regular performances including concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra and festivals like New Music Dublin. 

Cór na nÓg operates in a relaxed, happy atmosphere, where aspiring young singers receive a first-class musical education, build confidence, learn teamwork and many other life-skills. Many members have subsequently joined Cór Linn and adult choirs such as the National Symphony Chorus, with some also returning as staff, keeping the NCH choral family thriving through the generations! 

Does your child love to sing? Here's their chance to join Cór na nÓg!

Annual training choir auditions for Cór na nÓg take place on Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th February! 

And you can get a little taster before the audition with a fun session with the choir on Saturday 3rd February, 10.30am Details here

For more information on joining Cór na nÓg and to apply for the training choir, please contact Lesley Bishop  

Mary Amond O'Brien

Choral Director

Mary Amond O’Brien is a passionate and highly motivated choral music facilitator and conductor who from the beginning of her career in 1997 engages regularly in her own professional development. Believing strongly in the innate singing ability of all children, young people and adults, Mary has worked with many non-auditioned singers and choirs who achieve high standards of performance while demonstrating the power of group singing to connect, excite, challenge and transform singers and their audiences.