Oranmore choir hits right note for Late Late Toy Show

A group of 73 Galway girls are preparing for the experience of a lifetime – when they perform for an estimated audience of one and a half million this Friday night.

Because the Scoil Mhuire Senior Girls’ Choir – all 73 of them with 21 different nationalities – have landed the golden ticket of a slot of this year’s Late Late Toy Show.

The choir – all of whom are aged between eleven and thirteen – come from a diverse range of ethnic minority and socio-economic backgrounds.

The group were selected following national auditions in the Ardilaun Hotel, in Galway city and were informed three weeks ago that they were chosen and have since been expertly preparing a “top secret” theme ahead of the show.

“It’s a memory that the children will always cherish and treasure. They have been so good in their conduct and you’re trying in some ways to keep them calm and grounded throughout because you want them to do their very best,” said School Principal, Edel Carney this week.

The group will set off early on Friday morning to a guard of honour from fellow students and are expected to arrive at 2pm at the RTE studios, before putting the final preparations and getting into costumes prior to their performance.

“It was a vision of mine I suppose to always have a choir and we’re delighted. It’s very good for children, not alone the musicality but in terms of being part of a team and working as one- it totally unites everyone,” said Edel.

The school’s Christmas window displays are awash with the Late Late Toy Show and there is a buzz throughout the entire of Oranmore.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.