U of A Inspirational Chorale Returns From Tour of Ireland

The University of Arkansas Inspirational Chorale, formerly the U of A Inspirational Singers, recently completed a tour of Ireland that included an impromptu concert in Dublin and performances in Kilkenny.

The ensemble, directed by Eddie Jones, associate professor of music at the university, consisted of a traveling party that included 22 students and Eli Jones, dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, who is a drummer for the chorale.

The group toured Dublin, where it presented an unplanned concert outside the gates of Trinity College, the first college founded in Ireland in 1592. Passersby stopped, listened, and clapped heartily while the choir performed.

The next day the group traveled through the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough, where the ensemble stopped at St. Kevin's Monastery — founded in the sixth century — and took the opportunity to sing in the chancel area of the church.

The tour continued to Kilkenny and the famous Kilkenny Castle, first built in 1195. The Chorale presented a 30-minute concert in the castle's large art gallery. The mayor of Kilkenny prepared a reception in honor of the Chorale's visit to the city and members of the Kilkenny Gospel Choir were on hand to greet the ensemble.

The next morning, Eddie Jones presented a workshop and rehearsed with the Kilkenny Gospel Choir and members of the Shannon Gospel Choir.  That afternoon the combined choirs performed at the Kilkenny City Hall to a large crowd as part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival.

The choirs combined to sing the Sunday 11 a.m. mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Kilkenny, which sits atop of the highest point in the city. A crowd remained after the mass to hear the choirs continue singing for about 30 minutes.