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TUNE in this month as Clonkeen Youth Choir will launch their CD “Celebrate” on Friday, July 28, at 9.30pm in The Kerry Way. The choir will sing at 9.30am Mass in Clonkeen on Sunday, July 30, and proceeds from the CD will go to the Cork/Kerry Health Link Bus Service.

Members of the choir have been inspired over the past year by the courage of one of their members Leah Lynch. “Leah has battled with a very rare form of cancer with calm fortitude, and resilience, and is now recovering from major surgery,” said a spokeswoman for the choir.

Leah and her family have been making huge efforts to raise money for the Cork Kerry Health Link Bus Service. “In support of Leah and her family, and of this important facility, the choir decided that the proceeds from this CD will also go to the Cork Kerry Health Link Bus Service,” added the spokeswoman.

Clonkeen Youth Choir was founded in 2012 with members from all parts of Glenflesk parish and this CD was recorded to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the choir. Some of the choir members were involved in Teen Spirit and were encouraged by Noel O’Sullivan and Mish O’Donoghue to form their own youth choir based in Clonkeen. The choir have sung at Mass in Clonkeen and also showed their versatility by performing at other local events for example, The Rambling House, the production of Patrick, visiting hospitals and various fundraisers.

The choir thanked Fr Bill Radley, Fr George Hayes and the congregation of Clonkeen Church who welcomed their new ideas, and Rosie Healy, Derry Healy and Tony O’Flaherty whose experience, help and advice were invaluable when recording the CD.

The choir has been guided by Mary Woodcock O’Sullivan and Anne Kelly since its inception in 2012. “Great credit is due to this wonderful group of young people,” said Mary. “Their leadership qualities, talent, energy, commitment and enthusiasm has made the whole project a joyful one. The CD is aptly named ‘Celebrate!’”

CDs cost €10 and will be for sale locally and from all choir members. Your support is greatly appreciated. The choir members are Emma Cantillon, Aoife Cronin, Claire Cronin, Aine O’Sullivan, Mary O’Sullivan, Alison O’Sullivan, Aileen Healy, Eabha Healy, Connie Lynch, Leah Lynch, Shauna O’Donoghue, Mairead Kelleher, Roisin Kelleher, Jennifer Murphy, Aoife Kelliher, Denis O’Sullivan, Alicia Cronin, Ellen Cronin, Lucy Cronin, Rachel Kelly, Aoife Fleming and Eadaoin O’Donoghue.