I hope the sound matches the ministry and the beauty of Clonard Monastery

13 January 2016

A DOWNPATRICK teacher is taking on a major musical challenge in one of Ireland’s most iconic churches.

Cathal Murphy has been appointed Director of Music at Clonard Monastery in west Belfast.

The 34 year-old father-of-one will be juggling his current role as Head of Music at St Mary’s High School with this newly created post, which saw him direct the Clonard choir for the first time on Sunday.

In addition to developing music at the service of the liturgy, he will also be responsible for co-ordinating musical events at Clonard.

Home to the Redemptorist community, the 1911 Clonard church, which was designed in the early French Gothic style, is regularly in demand for performance of cultural and musical events due to its spectacular setting.

Cathal said he was delighted to be taking on the new role, though he was a little daunted when he saw the hundreds of people arriving at the church on Christmas Eve.

“I was looking on their Facebook page and it slightly panicked me when I saw the impressive crowd,” he said. “The Novena will also be exciting with the crowds it draws in June.”

However, Cathal says his seven years at St Mary’s have been good preparation for the busy role.

“The choir are through to the semi-finals of the BBC Radio Ulster School Choir of the Year competition and just before Christmas we were on RTE Lyric FM,” he said.

“I am fortunate to have all this talent to work with — great singers committed to music in the school.”

While there is lots to do in managing both roles, Cathal said he wasn’t too daunted as he had previously been working as musical director at the parish of Seapatrick in Banbridge.

“All I would hope to do is ensure that the sound matches the ministry and the beauty of the building,” he said. “Everyone knows that the Redemptorists are well known for their spoken word and it’s trying to match that musically as well”.

The new musical director said he wanted to bring “the music and the people to Clonard so that it is a centre where people can come to be spiritually uplifted”.

“I want people to come and experience a high standard of music,” he said.

The emphasis will, however, be community based and Cathal is encouraging anyone interested in joining the choir at Clonard to attend open rehearsals being held every Wednesday at 7.30pm during January. Describing Cathal as a “very talented young man”, Fr Noel Kehoe, Rector of Clonard, said he was delighted to welcome him on board.

“Clonard Monastery has always understood the importance of music in the lives of people, especially in the liturgy and devotions,” he said.

“Its famous fully mechanical pipe organ, played by so many gifted organists, has created a great sense of occasion for the people of Clonard and Belfast.”

He added: “The church is a very beautiful venue, and has provided a spectacular location for the performance of cultural and musical events during the Feile and on other occasions.

“While respecting its sacred character, and in keeping with church norms, my hope is that Clonard will develop further as a centre for musical excellence, enlightening people’s lives with beautiful music in all its classical and contemporary forms.”

Fr Kehoe said many people had been involved in developing Clonard’s vibrant musical traditions over the years and paid tribute to the dedication of outgoing musical adviser Raymond Lennon.

“In the long tradition of music in Clonard, each generation makes its own contribution and impact,” he said. “Change can be daunting but it is also exciting and I wish this very talented young man God’s abundant blessings in his new ministry to God’s people”.

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