"A Christmas Gathering"

The pretty village of Caragh, Co. Kildare was the setting for a very special Christmas gathering on December 8th 2013,  aptly marking the end of “The Gathering” - a year of welcomes extended by Irish people, to family and friends the world over. 

The 100 ft high steeple of the Church of Our Lady and St. Joseph can be seen from many vantage points and the church, which was renovated in 2010, was a beautiful setting. The theme, chosen by the much-loved Naas choir for their annual Christmas Concert, formed the backdrop for an evening of traditional Irish music and Christmas carols.  

Musical Director, Áine Mulvey, now in her second year with the Nás na Rí Singers,  devised a wonderful programme of well known Christmas carols and traditional Irish pieces, to suit all tastes. Áine’s experience both in Ireland and internationally, has been of tremendous benefit to the continued development of the choir, now in its 41st year and growing in membership every term. The choir of approximately 70 singers was accompanied on piano by Charles Marshall, who also brings a wealth of experience from his studies in Ireland, America and Japan, where he studied traditional Japanese music. In addition, Charles is Organist and Director of Music in St. Ann’s Church, Dawson St, Dublin. 

In keeping with the theme, special guests for the evening were folk duo Zoe Conway on violin and John McIntyre on guitar. Tristan Rosenstock played Bodhrán and Tristan, also a presenter with TG4  kindly agreed to be MC for the night. The Nás na Rí Singers were delighted to support the charity HOPE(D) Helping Other People Endure Depression with proceeds from this concert. HOPE(D) offers counselling and support services for those affected by depression, suicide and bereavement, including holistic therapies, Teen programmes and Mental health talks.

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