Cantóirí an Rútaigh

Inspired by the motto “If you feel like singing do sing an Irish song”,  bheartaigh an Conradh “canadh as Gaeilge” agus as sin d’fhás an cór.

Ba í Jacinta Cantwell an chéad stiúrthóir a bhí ag an gCór nuair a bhailigh siad le chéile i dTeach an Rútaigh i 1992. Baisteadh Cantóirí an Rútaigh mar ainm ar an gCór. Bhí daréag i láthair don chéad cleachtadh agus de réir a chéile d’fhás an Cór. Chan an Cór go poiblí don chéad uair i mbeorlann Smithwicks nuair a bhí clár Fhéile Chill Chainnigh a láinseáil.

Ó shin i leith bhí alán ócáidí poiblí ag an gCór. Chan said ag Kilkenny Choral Festival, ag Dinnéar an Chéid nuair a bhí Conradh na Gaeilge, Cill Chainnigh, ag ceiliúradh. Chan an Cór ar RTE nuair a craoladh Christmas Carols ó Chill Chainnigh don Nollaig i 1996 agus ag an Oireachtas i 1997, agus chan said go minic ag ocáidí i gCaisleán Chill Chainnigh.

Gabhann an Cór buíochas do na stiúrthóirí go léir a bhí acu – Regina Uí Laoghaire, Máiréad Nic Pheadair, Cáit Uí Chuilinn, Antaine Mac Pheadair agus faoi láthair Máire de Bhuitléir.

Cuirtear fáilte i gcónaí roimh baill nua agus tagann an Cór le chéile gach Céadaoin i dTeach an Rútaigh ag 8-30 i.n.

Jacinta Cantwell agreed to become conductor for the group and the first practice took place in Rothe House in 1992. It was agreed to name the choir Cantóiri an Rútaigh as our practices were all held in Rothe House – home of the Gaelic League in Kilkenny since 1897. Twelve people turned up to that first practice and slowly the numbers grew with the choir giving its first performance in Smithwicks Brewery at the launch of Féile Chill Chainnigh.

Since then the choir has performed on numerous occasions including the Kilkenny Choral Festival, The Centenary Dinner of the Kilkenny Branch of Conradh na Gaeilge, at the Oireachtas Choir Competition 1997, and on RTE for the Christmas Carols from Kilkenny in St. Canices Cathedral 1996, as well as being regular visitors in Kilkenny Castle.

Cantóirí an Rútaigh were fortunate to have excellent conductors since its formation –Regina O’Leary, Mairéad Patterson, Catherine Cullen, Tony Pattison and the present conductor Mary Butler.

Cantóiri an Rútaigh are always delighted to welcome new members and the choir meets every Wednesday night from 8-30 to 9-30 in Rothe House.