Cork International Choral Festival Returns for 71st Year with Five-Day Programme of Song

Cork will once again ring with the sound of voices this May Bank Holiday weekend, as the Cork International Choral Festival returns from 29 April to 3 May 2026. Now in its 71st year, the festival is one of Europe's longest-running choral events and promises its biggest programme yet.

More than 5,000 performers from 13 countries will take to the stage across more than 60 venues in Cork city and county, delivering 189 performances over five days. The line-up includes 70 competing choirs from across Ireland, 45 non-competitive groups and 12 international ensembles, supported by more than 250 volunteers.

Seven gala concerts, 12 competitions and nine workshops are scheduled across some of Cork's most iconic venues, including Cork City Hall, the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, St Fin Barre's Cathedral and St Anne's Shandon.

Artistic Director Peter Stobart said:

"There's something very special that happens when a city gives itself over to song. For five days, Cork becomes a place where voices meet, where audiences encounter music in unexpected spaces, and where people connect through something as simple and powerful as singing together."

The Opening Gala at Cork City Hall will feature more than 250 young singers from Cork and Dublin performing Benjamin Britten's St Nicolas, alongside a newly commissioned work by Stobart. On Thursday, acclaimed UK ensemble Black Voices will perform at City Hall, bringing their signature acappella sound rooted in gospel, spiritual and contemporary traditions.

Friday's programme moves to the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, where Chamber Choir Ireland, conducted by Gabriel Crouch, will premiere the winning work from the Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition. New Dublin Voices will also perform, presenting a programme spanning classical and contemporary repertoire.

Saturday sees the return of the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy competition, with gala concerts held across two sessions at Cork City Hall. The competition is widely regarded as one of the most sought-after prizes in choral music, drawing elite amateur choirs from across Europe and beyond.

Stobart added: "The gala concerts are central to the festival experience. They bring together outstanding choirs from Ireland and around the world and give audiences the chance to experience choral music at the highest level in some of Cork's most remarkable venues."

Beyond the headline performances, the festival extends across the city through Choral Trails in Cork and Cobh, with performances at the Marina Market and Elizabeth Fort. Participatory events including The Big Sing and the World Cup of Football Chants invite audiences to join in, while Afternoons in the Atrium and a fringe programme bring music into public spaces throughout the city.

A strong education strand also features, including a new choral composition course led by Seán Doherty and workshops in conducting, performance and vocal technique, with opportunities to work directly with Chamber Choir Ireland.

Fáilte Ireland's Head of Festivals, Ciara Sugrue, said:

"Fáilte Ireland is pleased to support Cork International Choral Festival 2026. Festivals and events like this create memorable cultural experiences that encourage visitors from Ireland and overseas to discover all that we have to offer across the country. Our investment in Cork International Choral Festival strengthens Cork's appeal as a must-visit destination within the Ireland's Ancient East region, while generating meaningful economic opportunities for local businesses and contributing to the sustainable growth of tourism in the Ireland's Ancient East region."

The Cork International Choral Festival is supported by the Arts Council, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork County Council. Media partners include the Irish Examiner, The Echo and Cork's 96FM.

Full programme details and ticket information are available at www.corkchoral.ie.