Press Releases04 Mar 25

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Choir’s Memorable Tour in Madrid

In February, the choir of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral embarked on a remarkable tour in Madrid, leaving an indelible mark on both audiences and the city’s vibrant cultural scene.

A Warm Welcome at the Irish Ambassador’s Residence

The tour commenced on Thursday, February 20th, with an exclusive performance at the residence of the Irish Ambassador to Spain, Frank Smyth. The choir captivated an audience of key Spanish tour operators and members of the Tourism Ireland Spanish office with heartfelt renditions of Irish classics: “Down by the Sally Gardens,” “Danny Boy,” and “On Raglan Road.” The emotional depth of the performance resonated profoundly, leading to immediate bookings from attendees inspired to visit Ireland.

Embracing Community at Our Lady of the Rosary

On Friday, February 21st, the choir graced the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, a vibrant parish led by Dominican friars in Madrid’s esteemed Salamanca district. Known for its active congregation and distinctive brutalist architecture, the church provided a unique backdrop for the evening’s performance. The event garnered significant attention, with a camera crew from TeleMadrid broadcasting the performance live, extending the choir’s reach to a broader audience. The choir’s performance was introduced by our Schools’ Officer, Paula Garcia Ibanez, herself a native of Valencia. Given the level of Spanish spoken by the rest of the group, her intervention was a very timely and welcome one.

A Historic Setting at Basílica de la Milagrosa

Saturday, February 22nd, saw the choir performing at the Basílica de la Milagrosa. Consecrated on June 23, 1904, this basilica is a testament to Madrid’s rich architectural heritage, blending Neo–Mudéjar and Neo–Gothic styles. Located at Calle García de Paredes, 45, it served as a spiritual haven for 2 performances by the choir, the first Liturgical a one as part of their 8.00pm Mass, and a concert performance that followed immediately after, both to enthusiastic and very appreciative capacity crowds.

Culminating at Madrid’s Almudena Cathedral

The tour culminated on Sunday, February 23rd, with a performance at the majestic Almudena Cathedral (Santa María la Real de La Almudena). Situated opposite the Royal Palace, this cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Madrid. Its construction began in 1883 and concluded over a century later. The choir were seated high up on the Cathedral’s West wall just underneath the magnificent organ. The views from the loft were stunning but not for the faint hearted.

Exploring Madrid’s Cultural Tapestry

Beyond their performances, choir members immersed themselves in Madrid’s rich cultural offerings. They marvelled at the World of Illusions, embarked on insightful walking tours, enjoyed panoramic city views from elevated platforms, and explored masterpieces at the renowned Prado Art Museum.

Media Spotlight

The choir’s visit attracted considerable media attention. In addition to the live broadcast on TeleMadrid, their performances were featured in TeleMadrid’s online news segments and highlighted by the prominent news outlet, El Español.

This tour not only showcased the choir’s exceptional talent but also served as a cultural bridge, strengthening ties between Dublin and Madrid through the universal language of music.