WATCH: RTÉ Lyric FM visit one lucky Irish school as they win national choir competition

RTÉ Lyric FM has revealed the winners of the 2023 Choirs for Christmas competition. 

Choirs for Christmas is the largest annual celebration of communication and amateur choral music making from across the island of Ireland.

‘Twas the day of Christmas break and the students of Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Janesboro were getting ready for a very special performance on Thursday, December 21.

Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Janesboro, Limerick won Best Primary School Choir with teacher James Malone.

RTÉ Lyric FM visited the school to share the exciting news of their victory. 

Crowds erupted with joy and little faces lit up as the excitement kicked in what they had achieved. 

Principal Eamonn O'Connell said: “We are absolutely thrilled here in the school for our choir who have put in so much work, it is great to see.”

The choir performed ‘Angela’s song’, a tribute to the late Dolores O'Riordan of Ballybricken, Limerick and there was not a dry eye in the hall. 

Lyric received entries from almost one hundred choirs from around the country and the difficult decision to select the winners was made by an expert jury comprising of Gail Henry (RTÉ Lyric FM), Richard Yarr (BBC), Patrick Barrett (Youth Chorus Director, Royal Scottish National Orchestra), Kate Daly (Sing Irelan) and Evelyn Grant (RTÉ Lyric FM).

A wide range of choral groups, folk, gospel, church, school, college and workplace choirs entered the competition from all four provinces this year.

Speaking about the Choirs for Christmas competition, RTÉ Lyric FM Weekend Drive presenter Evelyn Grant said: “What came through strongly in the entries to the Choirs for Christmas this year was the combination of positivity, community and musical excellence. I was very moved by the diversity of the entries and how much joy that choral singing brings to all age groups.”

The ten winners were announced on the Christmas Eve edition of Evelyn Grant’s Weekend Drive which you can listen back to HERE.

Tune into Evelyn Grant’s Weekend Drive on RTÉ Lyric FM on Saturdays from 4-6.30pm and Sundays from 4-6pm.