In 2027, something extraordinary will happen for a choir from Kilkenny!

The Lady Desart Choir has been invited to perform at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York — one of the most iconic concert halls in the world. For any choir, performing on that stage is a once-in-a-lifetime honour, and for our singers it is a dream come true.

Founded in 2017, the Lady Desart Choir has grown into a vibrant community of over 75 singers aged from their twenties to their eighties. What brings us together is a shared love of music, friendship, and the joy of singing. Over the years we have become a cherished part of Kilkenny’s cultural life, particularly through our much-loved annual Christmas concert in St. Canice's Cathedral, which now sells out every year and has become one of the highlights of the city’s festive season.

Our invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall is recognition of the musical journey we’ve been on together, and we are thrilled that our first concert in our tenth year will be on such a global stage.

However making that journey across the Atlantic is a major undertaking. Like most community choirs, we are entirely volunteer-run and self-funded. To take up this incredible opportunity, we need to raise funds to help cover the essential costs involved in bringing our singers to New York.

What your support will help fund

Funds raised will help cover key costs including:

✈️ Travel to New York for participating singers

Accommodation for the weekend of the Carnegie Hall concert

Participation and preparation costs associated with the concert

Every contribution — large or small — helps bring us closer to that unforgettable moment on stage.

Why this means so much to us

For many of our members, the Lady Desart Choir is more than just a choir — it is a community. Our singers come from many walks of life and range in age from their twenties to their eighties. Some have sung all their lives; others joined simply for the joy of trying something new. Standing together on the stage of Carnegie Hall will be an extraordinary shared moment that none of us will ever forget.

How you can help

If you are able to support us, we would be deeply grateful. Your donation will help bring the voices of Kilkenny to one of the world’s greatest concert stages. And if you cannot donate, simply sharing this page can make a huge difference.

Together, we hope to carry a little piece of Kilkenny all the way to Carnegie Hall. Thank you for believing in what we do and for helping us make this dream a reality.

— The Lady Desart Choir