Griffith College Cork Hosts First-Ever Opera Performance in Historic Isabella Honan Chapel

Griffith College Cork was delighted to host its first-ever opera performance in the beautiful Isabella Honan Chapel over the weekend, marking a significant cultural milestone for the campus and a memorable evening of exceptional music-making.

The event featured a breath-taking recital by acclaimed Irish mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan, a Cork native and one of the late Veronica Dunne’s final protégés. Earlier this year, Niamh won the prestigious Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition and has been described by Opera Traveller as “one of the most sheerly beautiful lyric mezzos in some time.”

The performance took place at a pivotal moment in Niamh O’Sullivan’s international career, fresh from her recent role debut as Carmen with English National Opera in London. Her return to Cork brought her celebrated artistry to the intimate and atmospheric setting of the Isabella Honan Chapel, one of the city’s most architecturally significant venues.

Niamh was joined on stage by Conor Prendiville, a rising tenor from Cork who is rapidly gaining recognition as one of Ireland’s most promising young vocal talents. The performers were accompanied by one of Ireland’s leading pianists, Máiréad Hurley, whose sensitive and accomplished playing complemented an evening that was both powerful and deeply moving. Together, they presented a programme of much-loved operatic favourites, including "L’Amour est un Oiseau Rebelle" from Carmen, "All I Ask of You" from The Phantom of the Opera, "Lunge da lei" from La Traviata, and more.

The evening was supported by Friends of the Vocal Arts, the organisation dedicated to nurturing Ireland’s vocal talent through the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition. It was expertly MC’ed by Professor Diarmuid Hegarty, Chairman of Friends of the Vocal Arts.

Griffith College Cork was honoured to welcome a number of distinguished guests on the night, including Rob Horgan, President of Cork Chamber; Cllr Ann-Marie Ahern; Deputy Dan Boyle; and Julie Evans, President of Cork Business Association.

Griffith College Cork extends sincere thanks to the performers, partners, and everyone who joined us for a truly memorable night of exceptional music-making. It was a landmark occasion for the College - and one we hope marks the first of many opera evenings in the Isabella Honan Chapel.