Students from Sacred Heart School in Tullamore brought Irish music to the heart of Rome last week when their school choir performed at liturgies in both St Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of St Mary Major.

The performances marked a proud moment not only for the choir but also for the wider school community, with parents, family members, staff and alumni travelling from Tullamore to witness the occasion.

The invitation followed a number of notable performances in recent years, including appearances on RTÉ, where the choir’s blend of sacred music and youthful harmony received widespread praise. After months of preparation, the students presented a programme of sacred works in Latin, English and Irish, including music by Irish composers John O’Keeffe and Ronan McDonagh. The visit to Rome formed part of a wider pilgrimage, with the group also visiting many of the city’s historic and religious sites, including the Colosseum.

Among those present at the liturgy in St Peter’s Basilica was Erin Swan, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See.

“It was wonderful to hear the school choir from Sacred Heart School, Tullamore singing in St Peter’s Basilica last week,” she said. The dedicated work that the students put into preparing the repertoire for the Rome tour was very evident, and no mean feat on top of homework and hobbies and, importantly, exams. I felt very proud to hear Gaeilge echo through the vast chapel of St Peter’s as the choir sang their graceful rendition of Ag Críost an Síol. With thanks to all the students and teachers at Sacred Heart School for inviting the Embassy to be part of this special performance.”

For those who travelled from Tullamore, the experience was a memorable and proud moment as the voices of the Sacred Heart School choir filled two of the most significant basilicas in the Catholic world.