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University of Galway

Alumni Vocal Ensemble

Galway’s Award Winning Chamber Choir

Directed by Peter Mannion

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University of Galway Alumni Ensemble are a graduate choir of singers from the University of Galway – formally NUI Galway (UCG).

Our members were all singers in the University Choral Society in the early noughties and still sing together all these years later.

This special group enjoyed singing together so much that they have decided to continue to do so.

The singers are spread all over Ireland and Europe meaning their rehearsal schedule is limited however in person rehearsals are always accompanied by some wonderful visits to the many Galway public houses where copious amounts of good wine and strong beers are consumed whilst the singers catch up on everyone’s news.

The NUIG Alumni Ensemble have won categories at the Navan, Sligo and Cork Choral Festivals.

The group are celebrating 25 years singing together and continue to be directed by Peter Mannion.

Roll Of Honour

2026 - Light Music - Cork Choral Festival
2026 - John Mannion trophy for best performance by a chamber choir - Cork Choral Festival
2026 - Light Music - Ennis Choral Festival
2026 - Choirs under 30 singers - Ennis Choral Festival
2025 - Choirs under 30 singers - Ennis Choral Festival
2024 - Choir of the Year - Navan Choral Festival
2019 - Chamber Music - Cork Choral Festival
2016 - Light Music - Sligo Choral Festival

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Notable Concerts & Performances

2026 - Galway Climate Inspirations Festival 28/06/26
2026 - Festival Gala Concert - Ennis Choral Festival 01/02/26
2025 - Carols UG Alumni Gathering Irish Architecture Archive, Dublin 01/12/25
2025 - Concert with Huglsingers St Nicholas Church Galway City 14/06/25

2024 - Give Me Justice - Social Justice Concert Mick Lally Theatre 17/02/24

2023 - Voices by the Sea Festival Gala Concert St Nicholas Church Galway City 06/10/23

2023 - Concert with Huglsingers St. Magnus Church Huglfing Munich 15/07/23
2022 - A Choral Jamboree with Viva Voce St Nicholas Church Galway City 05/11/22
2022 - Evening concert Tabernacle Welsh Baptist Chapel, Cardiff Choral Festival 01/07/22
2020 - Concert with Cork Contemporary Choir St Josephs SMA, Blackrock Cork 15/02/20

2019 - Lunchtime Concert Kinsale Methodist Church - Cork Choral Festival 04/05/19

2018 - Robert Gregory Concert Aula Maxima NUI Galway 17/02/18
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A collage of virtual choir performers singing, playing instruments, and recording in their homes, with some wearing headphones. The group includes men and women of various ages, with different backgrounds and hairstyles.
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A group of eleven people posing for a photo inside a decorated church with religious artwork and statues, high arched ceiling with ornate paintings, and stained glass windows.
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Winners at the Cork International Choral Festival 2026

The Alumni Ensemble won the National Competition for Light, Jazz and Popular Music at the Cork Choral Festival with an amazing score of 90.50%. We also won The John Mannion Trophy, a Special Award to a Chamber Choir for the highest scoring performance of a work in the National Competitions.

The choir also sang in the Clayton Hotel ‘choirs in the atrium’ and in Cactus Jacks creating a fantastic weekend of music, fun and friendship.

Listen To Our Winning Set

Keep up to date

From TV performances to concerts, this upcoming season celebrates 25 years of singing together with a number of special performances.

Click on the image for associated link

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Cúrfa 2026

This autumn tune into TG4 to watch us sing on the 2026 edition of Cúrfa.

Details on transmission to follow.

Event poster for Galway Mental Health Association's celebration of choral music at St Nicholas Collegiate Church. The event features colorful musical notes and a large black treble clef with a microphone handle. Details include the date, October 2nd at 7:30 pm, and ticket price of 15 euros.

Galway Mental Health Concert

This annual concert takes place on Friday October 2nd in St Nicholas Church at 7:30pm. Tickets on the door. Proceeds to Galway Mental Health Association.

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Concert with Airneán

Join us in a very special joint concert with all male vocal ensemble Airneán on Sunday October 18th in the Mick Lally Theatre, Galway City at 5pm.

Tickets from www.druid.ie

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University Alumni Carols

Meet with fellow Galway graduates at this annual gathering with carols, drink and food to create a special evening.

More details from the university alumni office.

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Derry Choral Festival 2026

Come watch and support us as we sing at the Derry Choral Festival 2026.

We will be performing on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October.

A choir performing in a church with an audience seated in pews. The conductor stands at the front, and the choir members are holding sheet music. The church interior features religious artwork and statues.

Ennis Choral Festival 2027

Come watch and support us as we sing at the Ennis Choral Festival 2027.

We will be performing on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st January.