The Feis Dhoire Cholmcille choral competitions took place at Ardnashee School and College in Derry. Adjudicator Ciaran Kelly, a Derry native and head of music at The King’s Hospital School in Dublin, described the standard among Derry and Tyrone choirs as very high.

Ardnashee School and College Choir performed in the unison section and received a special award from Kelly. Holy Family Primary School took first place in the unison choirs and two-part choir competitions.

Long Tower Primary School won first in sacred music, while St Anne’s Primary School won first in Gregorian chant. Sacred Heart Primary School placed second in the Knights of Columbanus Cup and Bursary.

St Catherine’s Primary School in Strabane earned the adjudicators’ award for favourite performance in the primary school section. Kelly thanked the Feis Dhoire Cholmcille committee, naming Pat MacCafferty and Ursula Clifford.

Kelly called for more participation from post-primary schools, noting performances by St Cecilia’s and Thornhill College choirs. Ursula Clifford, chair of Feis Dhoire Cholmcille, urged senior choristers to join adult choirs after school.

Clifford cited her 55 years in the Colmcille Ladies Choir, which will travel to a festival in Provence, France, this summer. She thanked Ardnashee headteacher Raymond McFeeters and staff for hosting.