Moate wins televised school choir sing-off

Moate Community School in Co Westmeath has won the 2014 All Island School Choir Competition.

The televised contest, organised by the all-island peace- building charity Co-operation Ireland, is now in its sixth year. Following regional heats involving 20 schools, the grand final of the annual cross-border choral music event was held at Titanic Belfast yesterday evening.

RTÉ viewers saw four schools battle it out in the end for the coveted title, with Moate Community School emerging triumphant and securing prize money of £4,000 (€5,000).

From the Northern Assembly, Education Minister John O’Dowd and Finance Minister Simon Hamilton joined Irish Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan in presenting the trophy to the winning school.

“I am very proud of this choir,” said Moate CS choir director Lorna Duignan. “The students have worked tirelessly and it is their talent, commitment and enthusiasm that makes it so enjoyable and worthwhile.”

The other three choirs to perform on the grand staircase of the Titanic Belfast building yesterday were Sullivan Upper School, Holywood, Co Down; Wesley College, Ballinteer, Dublin; and Regina Mundi College, Douglas, Cork. They each received an award of £1,000.

Bursary awarded

A choral conducting bursary supported by the Association of Irish Choirs, which is based at the

University of Limerick

, was awarded to Siofra Cox of the Convent of Mercy secondary school in Roscommon.

Ms Cox will now take part in week-long course at the University of Limerick.