WELCOME TO THE CLERKS CHORAL OF THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH, YOUGHAL


You will find details of much of the continuous work of this choir amongst these pages. Please contact us, preferably by email, if you would like to know more. From time to time there are vacancies, if you are interested in applying to join us, please have a look at the recruitment pages on our infobase.

The Clerks sing traditional Anglican repertoire in the Collegiate Church, and occasionally elsewhere, throughout the Irish Academic year. The present choir is an extremely able ensemble and the membership is drawn from many places, but there are strong links with Cork City and University College Cork and particularly the fine Music Department there.

The Clerks Choral is an ancient institution that was revived after a long period of disuse in fairly recent times. This was possible thanks to the re-classification of this extraordinary 12th century church as a Séadcomharthaí Náisiúnta (National Monument), which means that the fabric and maintenance is no longer the responsibility of the Select Vestry.

The Clerks Choral is part of a foundation that began in the year 1464 when Thomas, Earl of Desmond, founded a College at Youghal, which was attached to St. Mary's Church. The foundation was later confirmed by his son James in 1472. Some of the College buildings and the Warden's House still survive. The College consisted of eight fellows and eight singing clerks, but over the centuries this choral foundation was dissolved and reinstated owing to the turbulent history of these parts. Finally, a large parish choir, the previous inheritor of this long choral tradition, folded up in the 1970s and the organ that was in the chancel was removed in 1965. (A detailed history may be seen by clicking here) Thankfully, a major organ project was concluded in recent times and a wonderful instrument is now stands in the North bay of the crossing, between the Great Nave and the Chancel See the Organ Page for details.

A number of our Clerks are full-time students, or professional musicians and they receive a modest honorarium (administered by the Rector and Treasurer) and this, together with much of the other ongoing expense, is paid for by an organisation of 'Friends & Benefactors' as well as through public recitals that the Clerks give throughout the year. The Vestry of the Collegiate Church is extremely grateful to the Friends for the support and interest that they give. The number of Friends is increasing but it is vital that we meet our goal for additional memberships within the next few years. So if you feel inclined to support this foundation, if you are interested in Arts Music, or the East Cork / Youghal area, or in preserving the traditions of the Church of Ireland, or if simply you would like to support young musicians in their education in this tradition, then please consider joining. Details may be found at the Friends & Benefactors pages.

The Clerks are often invited to sing at special / important occasions elsewhere, sometimes outside the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Below, the Clerks are pictured outside the Bolton Library Cashel, with the Right Rev'd. Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel and Ossory, at his Enthronement in Cashel Cathedral in July 2006. If you would like to consider inviting the Clerks to sing for some occasion, or to give a public recital then please consult the Booking the Clerks pages.