Ciaran Kelly will judge the Choral Section of Feis Dhoire Cholmcille in Derry on Holy Tuesday, March 31. The Derry native competed in the event's choral competitions as a boy and young man from around 1994 to 2003.

Kelly participated in various competitions at the feis, including singing, piano, and clarinet. He trained with James MacCafferty, Una MacCafferty, and Gwen Appleby for singing, and attended the McGinley School of Music. His family encouraged music involvement, with uncle Donal Doherty running the St Eugene’s Cathedral Boys Choir.

Competitions took place at venues such as Guildhall, St Columb’s Hall, and Rialto in Derry. Kelly performed in the James MacCafferty Medal competition at Moore’s Melodies.

Since 2022, Kelly has served as Head of Music at The King’s Hospital School in Dublin. He directs Cór Linn, The Guinness Choir, and the NSO Youth Choir. He graduated from the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Music Performance and Choral Conducting.

In 2024, Cór Linn succeeded at the Derry International Choir Festival under Kelly's direction. That year, he founded the National Concert Hall Youth Choir Summer School and premiered his composition 'A Child of the Universe' in Dublin.

The main Feis Dhoire Cholmcille runs from April 6 to 10 at St. Columb’s Hall and The Playhouse in Derry. Competition details appear at www.derryfeis.com.