Kildare choir to perform special Choral Mass honouring St Laurence O’Toole

A Castledermot choir are preparing to perform a new Choral Mass dedicated to Dublin’s patron saint, St Laurence O’Toole, in celebration of the 800th anniversary of his canonisation.

The mass, ‘Aifreann Lorcáin Ua Thuathail’, has a new composition of piano arrangements written by talented local musician and music teacher Brian Kehoe, who has been playing organ at the church for 20 years.

It will take place at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral in Dublin on Saturday 22 November at 6pm, but before that, a special local premiere of the performance will take place in Castledermot Church on Saturday 15 November at 7pm in a service to be celebrated by Fr Tom Kennedy.

The local celebration will be special as Castledermot prepares to host a French delegation from a place called Eu in France. They are from a region near Normandy where Saint Laurence O’Toole died in 1180, and where a cathedral dedicated to him still stands.

The piece will be performed by ‘The Assumption Choir’, which is a combined choir of more than 80 singers, featuring members of the Castledermot Parish Choir, St Michael’s Parish Choir, Athy, the Cathedral Choir in Carlow and the Carlow Coral Society.

The Mass will include a very special performance by Celtic Tenor, James Nelson, who will sing a solo to a psalm called You are the Shepherd. This choir project is being conducted by Séamus Ó Briain, who took over the role of choir director earlier this year.

Originally from Dublin but living in Castledermot for over 20 years, Séamus described the experience as “a huge but rewarding challenge”.

“It’s very new to me. I haven’t done anything like this before,” he said. “But it’s been such a positive experience. People have been incredibly generous with their time and enthusiasm. It’s really brought the whole community together.”

The idea for the new Mass grew out of choir discussions earlier in the year about finding a new project to get working on.

“We wanted to do something a little different this year, something that would keep things fresh.”

That’s when composer Brian Kehoe came in with the idea to create a Mass centred around the Castledermot-born saint.

“Brian is just so talented,” said Mr Ó Briain. “He has such a gift for music. He can hear and see things that I could never see or hear.”

Mr Kehoe, who teaches at Carlow College of Music, composed all eight parts of the Mass. While composing the music, Mr Kehoe had time to connect with his local area for inspiration.

“I’m still finishing an instrumental for the mass and I’m going to call it Mullaghreelan Wood, which is where he was supposed to have been born,” he said.

The Mass has been fully arranged by Brian, as well as five hymns, with one written by himself.

“The music is quite traditional, nothing too off the wall. I wanted it to be something people could connect with and enjoy,” said Mr Kehoe.

The Mass will be recorded live on the night in the Pro Cathedral, with plans to mix and possibly publish both the recording and the sheet music.

“I’d love to see it published and bring it elsewhere,” said Brian.

The choir began rehearsals in June, meeting every two to three weeks on Sunday afternoons after mass to practice together.

“People have given up so much of their free time,” said Séamas.

“Everyone’s working full-time, but they show up, week after week. It’s really been a community-building experience.”

The project has also received generous backing from local businesses and individuals.

“We’ve been blown away by the support,” said Mr Ó Briain.

“People have been so kind — helping with travel costs, food, and all the logistics. It’s not a small undertaking to bring a choir of this size to Dublin.”

It is the hope of both Brian and Séamas that this experience opens up the choir to new and fresh projects and experiences, and invites more people to join the group.

Make sure to check out the special mass taking place in November, which promises to be an occasion not only for the parish community, but also for those with a great love for music.