History of DLCS
Established in 1982, Dun Laoghaire Choral Society is a choir of over 100 singers that performs a rich variety of choral music from medieval to classical and contemporary pieces, including newly commissioned works.
DLCS has performed in all the major Irish music venues, including the National Concert Hall, the Three Arena Dublin, The Waterfront, Belfast and the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. We have also performed in Dublin's loveliest churches, such as St Ann's Church, Dawson St and Monkstown Parish Church. We have broadcast on RTE Radio One and Lyric FM and performed with many of Ireland's leading soloists and orchestras, such as the RTE Concert Orchestra, the RTE National Symphony Orchestra. We have also collaborated with international recording artists Katherine Jenkins and Andrea Bocelli.
Music Directors
John Doyle was appointed Music Director of DLCS in 2017. John led DLCS through Covid rehearsals in 2020 and 2021 and continues to develop the choir in its size, repertoire and ambition. Highlights thus far include a specially commissioned piece by Tom Lane in 2018, and a semi-staged performance of Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana in 2025.
2009 - 2017: David Brophy. David brought the choir on an exciting journey for several years. David’s tenure featured, over five concerts, our performances of Mozart’s 18 masses, culminating in the Requiem.
2004 - 2009: Cathal Garvey. Cathal’s enthusiasm for English music produced memorable performances of major works by Vaughan Williams, Tippett and a commemoration of Handel’s 250th anniversary in 2009 with the dramatic oratorio “Samson”.
2000 - 2004: Fergus O'Carroll. Hghlights included a most successful celebration of the choir's twentieth anniversary with a performance of Haydn's The Seasons, and a thrilling account of the Brahms Requiem.
1990 - 2000: Mark Armstrong. Under Mark’s guidance the choir expanded and flourished. A memorable feature of Mark's term of office was the revival of the annual "Messiah for All" concerts in Monkstown at Christmas.
1982 - 1990: Séamus Crimmins founded Dun Laoghaire Choral Society in January 1982. An advertisement in a local paper tempted about twenty people to an initial meeting and the Dun Laoghaire Choral Society was born, performing its first concert four months later. DLCS rapidly established itself as a major musical force, performing not only in the Dun Laoghaire area but in all of Dublin's principal concert venues.
DLCS Founder and President, Seamus Crimmins