Singers gather for a grand night of singing for Róisín

A HOST of musical talent will be coming together in St Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick next Thursday as part of a benefit for local singer Róisín Walsh who has received an unprecedented five offers to study at prestigious colleges in England.The event, entitled A Grand Night for Singing, will feature the mezzo-soprano Róisín Walsh and Owen Gilhooly, among others.
Currently a staff nurse in Limerick’s Regional Hospital, Róisín has also been studying singing with Olive Cowpar for a number of years, winning numerous awards and competitions in that time, including second place in the RTÉ Radio 1 All-Ireland Talent Showcase, The DIT Thomas Moore Festival for Young Singers, the Margaret Dillion Cup for overall voice of the Feis and the Alec Redshaw Cup for senior recitals.
Following the receipt of offers to study in five prestigious UK colleges, Róisín has opted for the renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Róisín is well known in local musical theatre circles having taken lead roles in Limerick Musical Society productions including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Fiddler On The Roof and The King & I for which she was nominated for an AIMS award for Best Supporting Female. With Summer Music on the Shannon, Róisín played adult lead roles in youth operas, including A Dickens of a Christmas, Peace and The Mermaid.
The music and singing at this concert will be further complemented by the surrounds and acoustics of St Mary’s Cathedral and will feature highly acclaimed local baritone Owen Gilhooly.
Accompanied by Trevor Selby, other singers who will offer solo performances include Clare singers, Edel Heaney living in Bunratty, Mary Healy from Lissycasey and Richard Hayes from Meelick. Sarah Ellen Murphy, Emma Walsh, returning from Guildhall, Kevin Neville, Alison Cowpar, The Limerick Songsters and more will also join the cast. 
The programme for the evening will have something for everyone with a selection of well-known operatic arias, duets, ensemble pieces and some delightful musical theatre numbers, both old and new.
The concert will be held next Thursday at 8pm and for further information and booking, contact 061 331549 or visit www.uch.ie.