The Clerks Choral are a fundamental feature of the life this part of Ireland
The Clerks sing traditional Anglican, Catholic and Lutheran repertoire throughout the Irish Academic year. The present choir is a versatile ensemble and the membership is drawn from many places, but there are strong links with Cork City and University College Cork, particularly the fine Music Department there.
The Clerks Choral is an ancient institution that was revived in 2005. It descends from a foundation that began in 1464 when Thomas, Earl of Desmond, founded a College at Youghal. 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)
A number of our Clerks are full-time students, or professional musicians and they receive a modest honorarium and this, together with some of the other on-going expense, is paid for by an organisation of 'Friends & Benefactors' as well as through public recitals that the Clerks give throughout the year.
Foundation Members
Patron - The Right Reverend The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross
Organist & Master of the Clerks Choral - Ian Sexton GTCL(Hons), LTCL, LRSM, FRSA
Head Clerk - Nicholas McMurry MA, MPhil
Our Vice Patrons are people who are distinguished in Arts Music and / or Irish Life and some of them are living descendents of the founders of the original college.
We are most grateful to our Vice Patrons for lending support and interest to the work of this choral foundation.
| Vice Patrons |
| Professor Gerard Wrixon |
President, University College, Cork |
| Dr. John O'Conor |
Director, The Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin |
| Dr. Paul Everett |
Head of the Department of Music, University College, Cork |
| Simon Thompson Esq., |
Headmaster, Midleton College, County Cork |
| Senator Mary Henry |
Formerly Comhaltas, Seanad Eireann |
| Sir Adrian FitzGerald, Bart., K.M. Knight of Kerry |
Descendent of founders |
| Richard Wood Esq., |
Expert on the hiistory of the original college |
| Mrs Emily Villiers-Stewart |
Descendent of founders |
| Desmond FitzGerald, Knight of Glin |
Descendent of founders |
| Sir Lawrence Parsons, Bart., |
Descendent of founders |
| Sir Brendan Parsons, Earl of Rosse |
Descendent of founders |
Friends and Benefactors |
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James Keatley |
Mr and Mrs Ken Sweetnam |
St. James' Durrus |
Ursula and Finbarre O'Donovan |
The Rt. Rev'd The Bishop of Cashel and Ossory |
St. Lukes' Tamlagh |
Dr David Butler |
The Late Mr Jim Aston |
Ian and Samantha Sexton |
Carmel O'Shea |
Anne Riordan |
Bruce Aston |
The Rev'd. Canon G Salter |
Ms Sandra Dukelow |
Mary Kennedy |
Hugh Loan |
Allan Navratill |
The Rev'd Joy Ferguson |
Templebreedy Group of Parishes |
Wilfred Baker |
Captain Nicholas Brisbane Alexander Bourke |
The Re'vd. J. Hubbard-Jones |
Mrs. Karmel Brookes |
Mr & Mrs George Roch Perks |
Parish of Abbeyleix and Killermogh |
Ken Brookes |
Jim and Kay McConnell |
Margaret Wilson |
Jane and Patrick Annesley |
Craig McKechnie |
Mrs. E.M., Dr.A & Mr. G. St. Leger |
Mr. D and Mrs. L Mossop |
Ms. Gwen Wright |
The Musgrave Group |
UCC Department of Music |
The Rev'd J Crawford / F.A Beattie |
St. Patrick's Cathedral |
St. Anne's Shandon |
Mr & Mrs D. Bird |
Fmr T.K.A Bird |
Captain Peter Tyrrell |
The Michael James Music Trust |
The Reverend Dowager Lady Durand |
St. Micheal's Church, Trory |
The Rev'd T & Mrs H Ardis |
St. Nicholas Parish Church, Belfast |
The Rev'd D & Mrs H Nuzum |
The Rev'd. Michael Thompson |
Dr. Angela Ryan |
Mr & Mrs David O'Connor |
Mrs. Freda Morland |
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