RTÉ lyric fm hosted Ireland's largest choral competition Choirs for Christmas 2024. Thousands and thousands of singers from all around the country grouped together in their local choirs and rehearsed, recorded and submitted their entry to RTÉ lyric fm as they shared their musical talents with lyric's listeners (online, on socials and on-air) this Christmas.

We have mapped the entrants view here

And you can listen to all entries here

With almost 100 entrants from every corner of Ireland from Antrim to Arklow, Malahide to Mullingar and Crossmolina to Cork, choirs took over the airwaves on Claudia Boyle's Weekend Classics this December. In the Christmas stocking were folk, gospel, church, school, college and workplace choirs and all kinds of choral groups who simply love coming together to sing!

The winners were announced on Sunday December 22nd on Claudia Boyle's Weekend Classics (See below)

The Jury for the competition:

Gail Henry (RTÉ lyric fm, Chair)

Liz Nolan (RTÉ lyric fm)

Darren Hargan (Le foyer des Artistes)

Shirley Keane (Artistic Director Opera Workship/ RTE lyric fm)

We are delighted to announce the winners of the Choirs for Christmas 2024 competition:

BEST OVERALL CHOIR: Cuore Chamber Choir conducted by Amy Ryan

BEST OVERALL RUNNERS UP: Lux Brumalis conducted by David Yau

BEST YOUTH CHOIR: Dublin Youth Training Choir conducted by Lynsey Callaghan

BEST COMMUNITY / CHORAL SOCIETY CHOIR: Clermont Chorale, Blackrock, Co. Louth under the direction of Ronan Dennedy

SPECIAL COMMENDATION AWARD: Killaloe Male Voice Choir, Co. Clare under the direction of Ms. Anne Cullen

BEST PRIMARY SCHOOL CHOIR: St. Brigid's National School Choir, Castleknock, Dublin conducted by Niamh Williams

SPECIAL COMMENDATION AWARD: St Pius the 10th GNS Choir, Terenure, Dublin directed by Niamh Sheehan

BEST SECONDARY SCHOOL CHOIR: Cór an Chroí, Loretto College, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath directed by by Ms. Laura Cahill and Ms. Claire Gilmartin

SPECIAL COMMENDATION AWARD: CBS Thurles Choral Group, Co. Tipperary under the direction of Deirdre Ryan Preston

BEST PERFORMANCE OF A CONTEMPORARY IRISH CHORAL WORK: Cuore Chamber Choir, Dublin performing Make We Merry conducted by Amy Ryan

We will be directly in touch with the winners in early January 2024.

Thank you for sharing some wonderful music with RTE lyric fm this Christmas!