The Guinness Choir’s 75th Anniversary

The Guinness Choir celebrates Dublin with 75th Anniversary world premiere performance

One of Dublin’s longest-standing cultural groups, The Guinness Choir, will celebrate 75 years of music, community and shared experiences, with a series of special events across the city.

Founded in 1951 by employees of the Guinness brewery, the choir quickly grew to become a vibrant, independent group that continues to bring people together through a love of singing. Today, its members come from all walks of life, united by a shared passion – and a commitment that proves that you’re never too old to find your voice.

City of our Dreaming Anniversary concert, sponsored by Spry Finance

At the centre of the celebrations is a specially commissioned piece, The City of Our Dreaming, which will receive its world premiere next month.

Taking place in St Patrick’s Cathedral on May 7, the performance will form part of the Culture Date with Dublin 8 festival.

The new work brings together acclaimed composer Seán Doherty and poet Paula Meehan, whose original poem, commissioned by the choir, reflects on Dublin as a place of memory, identity and imagination. The result promises to be both moving and deeply connected to the city the choir has called home for 75 years.

In this video, Paula and Sean talk about collaborating on this unique project and what The Guinness Choir means to them.

Recognition at the Mansion House

The choir’s long-standing contribution to Dublin’s cultural life will also be formally recognised at a special reception in the Mansion House on April 28, hosted by the Lord Mayor.

This civic honour is a fitting tribute to generations of amateur singers who have ensured the choir’s vibrancy through changing times, with an enduring commitment to making music accessible and enjoyable.

A Highlight in Dublin’s Cultural Calendar

The anniversary concert at St Patrick’s Cathedral is expected to be one of the standout cultural events of the 2026.

Set in one of Dublin’s most iconic venues, the performance will showcase the full power and warmth of a large mixed choir, which draws audiences back year after year for threequarters of a century. Alongside the premiere, the event programme will reflect the choir’s rich musical heritage and enduring appeal.

City of our Dreaming Anniversary concert, sponsored by Spry Finance

More Than a Choir

Such performances are undoubtedly the highlights, but what keeps The Guinness Choir thriving is its strong sense of community. For its members, the choir is about far more than just singing. It’s about connection, routine, and the joy of being part of something bigger – whether that’s preparing for a concert, travelling together, or just enjoying the weekly rehearsal.

As featured previously on the Spry Hub, joining a choir later in life can bring real benefits – from improved wellbeing and confidence to new friendships and a renewed sense of purpose. Spry Finance is proud to sponsor The Guinness Choir.

Going Strong at 75

The anniversary celebrations will continue beyond Dublin, with plans for a summer tour of England and further performances into 2027.

At its heart, however, this milestone is about something simple and powerful: it’s about people coming together to celebrate a great city and its rich musical heritage by creating something unique and meaningful.

Remarkably, 75 years on, The Guinness Choir is still doing exactly that.

Be Part of the Music

If you’ve ever thought about going to a live choral performance – or even joining a choir – the 75th Anniversary of The Guinness Choir this anniversary year is the perfect time to take that first step.

The special concert at St Patrick’s Cathedral on May 7 promises to be an uplifting evening in a truly iconic setting, with the world premiere of The City of Our Dreaming at its heart.

Whether you go with friends, or simply treat yourself, it’s a chance to experience the power of live music – and the joy it can bring at any stage of life.

And if it inspires you to sing – even better. Because as The Guinness Choir proves, it’s never too late to find your voice.

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