Clermont Chorale is a community choir based in County Louth, drawing singers from Louth and neighbouring counties. Founded in 2003, the ensemble comprises 35–40 members and is led by Music Director Ronan Dennedy. Over two decades, the choir has established a strong reputation for musical excellence, performing widely throughout County Louth and releasing a CD featuring highlights from its concerts. The choir has enjoyed significant competitive success, notably at the Cork International Choral Festival, where it has won multiple awards across Contemporary, Church, and Jazz categories. It has also claimed the Tavanagh and Anderson trophies, as well as the John Watson Memorial Cup at the Portadown Festival, and achieved honours at festivals in Navan, Limerick and Derry. Internationally, Clermont Chorale earned Silver at both the Verona (2008) and Prague (2010) International Festivals, and has completed acclaimed tours in New England, Germany, St. Petersburg and Rome. In celebration of the choirs 20th anniversary, they commissioned a new work from emerging arranger Laura Shields, setting Peadar Ó Doirnín’s poem Úrchnoc Chéim Mhic Cáinte to music. Recent highlights include participation in the 2024 Derry International Choir Festival and serving as chorus for Opera Collective Ireland’s production of Jonathan Dove’s church opera The Walk from the Garden, performed in cathedrals and churches across Armagh, Newry and Dundalk. In December 2024, the choir won 1st Prize in the Community Choir category of RTÉ lyric FM’s “Choirs for Christmas” competition. In March 2025, Clermont Chorale performed in Belgium for St Patrick’s weekend, appearing at the Irish College Leuven, the Menin Gate in Ypres and the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Messines. Clermont Chorale performs a wide range of repertoire spanning musical eras and styles and has frequently presented Irish premieres of contemporary choral works. Its achievements over the past twenty years reflect the dedication of its founding members, the many singers who have joined since, a committed committee, imaginative artistic vision and, above all, a shared love of singing. Choir Director: Ronan Dennedy