Dawn Chorus - Where's yours?

Following an extraordinary debut event on the Culdaff beach in Donegal in May 2009, Dawn Chorus is returning to waterfronts all across Ireland this Sunday 30 May. Over the past few months The Association of Irish Choirs and Active Retirement Ireland have encouraged choirs throughout the country to open their doors to retirement groups, to develop a short concert together and to sing on a scenic waterfront across the country to mark the end of the Bealtaine Festival 2010.

The Dawn Chorus is taking place in counties all over Ireland and everyone is welcome on the day to take in this beautiful and unique performance.

Co. Carlow -
30 May - 8am - Carlow Town Park

Carlow’s Dawn Chorus will take place at 8am in the town park.  The event, organised by Seamus O’Rourke and ARA contact and Chair John O’Keefe, will be entitled Dawn Chorus - celebrating the river of life. They will be joined by Mary Amonds choir, the Killeshin pipe band and the Ballylinan Wren boys. The local gael scoil will also be taking part along with the fire brigade and the Carlow rowing Club.

Co. Cork -
30 May - 7am - Pier Road, Spanish Gallion, Kinsale;
30 May - 7am - The Front Strand Youghal Beach

In County Cork, Kinsale ARA will be combining with two local choirs to make a group of over 70 people to participate in one Dawn Chorus in Cork on the 30 May 7am, at Pier Road, Spanish Gallion. In Youghal, Midleton ARA are coming together with Cantairí Mhuscraí, Ballincollig, The Carrigaline Singers and The Cork Garda Male Voice Choir to play their part in Dawn Chorus at 7am at the front strand Youghal Beach.

Co. Donegal -
30 May - 7am - Harvey's Point, Donegal Town;
30 May - 7.30am - Rathmelton Town Park

Two groups in Donegal are taking part the Donegal town ARA and the Rathmelton ARA  will also be taking part in this phenomenon again. The Donegal town performance will take place at 7am in Harvey’s Point, Donegal town. The Rathmelton performance will take place in the Rathmelton town park along with the Colmcille gospel choir.

Co. Dublin -
30 May - 7am - Dollymount Strand;
30 May - 7am - Malahide Beach;
30 May - 7am - Dundrum Shopping Centre

In Dublin, over 100 people will be singing as four Active Retirement Groups come together for a concert on Dollymount Strand at the Causeway Centre between the two car parks with Kincora, Clontarf, St Gabriel’s and St Bridget’s Seniors performing together.  This will start 7am. Also in Dublin, all 50 members of the Malahide ARA will be participating in the Dawn Chorus at the car park entrance at Malahide Beach at 7am. Last but not least, a local choir will be performing at Dundrum Shopping centre at 7am

Co. Kildare -
30 May - 8.30am - Ballymore Road

In Kildare, St. David's Church Choir and Naas Active Retirement Association will be taking part in Dawn Chorus at 8.30am beside the lakes at Ballymore Road.

Co. Louth -
30 May - 7am - Moore Hall Lodge Active Retirement Village

In Louth, Ardee Active Retirement Association will be taking part in Dawn Chorus at 7am in the Moore Hall Lodge Active Retirement Village. This is the Ardee ARA’s first time participating in the Bealtaine Festival.

Co. Waterford -
30 May - 5am - Glenkahane River

In Waterford, Cappoquin Group A.R.A and a local church choir will be taking part in Dawn Chorus at the picnic area at the Glenkahane River one mile outside Cappochin.

Co. Wexford -
30 May - 7am - Ferrycarraig Hotel

In Wexford a group will be singing for their own Dawn Choruses. The 55 Club will be holding their Dawn Chorus 7am 30 May at Wexford’s Ferrycarraig Hotel. 25 singers from the active retirement group along with the local community will be singing up-tempo Irish songs.

Dominic Campbell, Artistic Director of Bealtaine, says, “Bealtaine is built DIY-style as people invest in themselves, they allow themselves time to make art for pleasure and curiosity. It’s a generous investment; others take great pleasure from the art that’s made. The Dawn Choruses are an example of this – this event is an incomparable reason to get out of bed!”

For further information on Dawn Chorus:
Dawn Chorus Co-ordinator Edel Ryan Mob: 087 289 4674
E-mail:bealtainedawnchorus@gmail.com