Druid Lane will be the location for a rare opportunity to listen to two of Ireland’s finest vocal ensembles next week.
The award-winning University of Galway Alumni Ensemble, celebrating its 25th anniversary, will present a concert with the all-male ensemble Airneán on Sunday, October 18, at 5pm, in the Mick Lally Theatre, for Port Ceolmhar - an evening of song.
Airneán is an all male vocal group focused on preserving and reimagining Irish folk songs through the medium of choral music. Many of the songs are arranged by the members themselves.
In the two years since its establishment, Airneán has performed in a variety of venues around Ireland, collaborating with a range of Irish and overseas groups. In 2024 it released its first EP titled Mind the Step, consisting of five pieces performed at their first Kilkenny concert. In May 2025, at their first competition in Navan, they won the Male Voice Competition and the Comórtas Gaeilge, and this year were the inaugral champions of the Fingal International Festival of Voices.
The group also records songs in-house, and released its first studio single, Scáil, an original setting by Cian Grant of a modern Irish poem in late 2025.
Also performing are the University of Galway Alumni Choir, which won the National Competition for Light, Jazz & Popular Music at the 2026 Cork International Choral Festival. The choir consists of graduates from Galway University with the singers celebrating 25 years together this year.
Under the direction of Peter Mannion, the choir wowed the audience and judges with a madrigal version of the Spice Girls’ song ‘Wannabe’ and a barbershop rendition of ‘Bad Guy’ by pop star Billie Eilish. The choir was also awarded the additional John Mannion Trophy, a special award to a chamber choir for performing in national competitions. The group is celebrating 25 years together singing in 2026.
Both the Alumni Ensemble and Airneán will be prominently featured on TG4 as part of Curfá, due to be broadcast next Thursday, October 15, at 8:30pm.
Tickets €12.50 from www.druid.ie
