Singers and choirs from Ireland and abroad are in Sligo to take part in the choral festival.
The Sligo street singers were a sidebar to the annual Sligo International Choral Festival. The event attracts choirs from across Ireland and from around the world.
Joe Kelly, Chairman of the Sligo International Choral Festival, explains that a feature of the event is that,
We bring the choirs out onto the streets.
The Strandhill Barbershop Quartet brought shopping to a halt with their singing on O'Connell Street in Sligo town.
This year the festival has 43 choirs from nine countries taking part. There is a prize fund of over €11,000 in for the 14 competitions.
The Cill Aodáin Choir from Kiltimagh in Mayo drew the crowds with a lighter type of music. The inclusion of gospel music and barbershop harmonies is giving the festival greater appeal to a wider audience.
Grand Parade Barbershop Quartet from Cork recently won the Irish national championship. Patrick Kelly a group member says that they are very pleased to be in Sligo for one of the best choral festivals he has attended.
It's a wonderful festival.
It is estimated that the festival is worth around half a million euros to the local economy.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 2 November 2003. The reporter is Eileen Magnier.
