Through the Years
Founded in 1957, St Agnes’ Choral Society has enriched the lives of generations of those living in Belfast and beyond. This beautiful company has seen the foundation of friendships and some would say has been the catalyst for blooming romances and finding true love.
Angela and Pat Smyth met in 1977 while performing in Orpheus In The Underworld and all their children have trod the board with St Agnes’ with their son Patrick going on to star in the West End shows including Phantom Of The Opera, Hair, We Will Rock You, and his sister Helen’s favourite, singing on Strictly Come Dancing last year. This is testament to the talent and training ground that St Agnes’ offers our members. Throughout our 60 years, the company and its members, including our crème de la crème Larkfield Singers, have won many coveted awards from The Waterford Festival of Light Opera, AIMS, NODA and various other choral festivals across Ireland.
Friendships in St Agnes’ transcend all generations and flourish with the common love of music. As a family, St Agnes’ is there for us all, through our highs and lows in our life and especially during challenging times.
The Mikado 1962
The Mikado 1962
Post Show Celebrations
St. Agnes' Choral Society at Great Victoria Street Station
Earliest Rehearsal Pic
Irish News October 1962
October 1962
Tony Gilmore & Son, Sean
Annual Dance Sunday Independent Jan 1965
Black and white photograph of a lively social gathering with women in vintage dresses and men in formal attire, engaged in a dance or conversation, in an elegant interior setting.
A black-and-white photograph featuring a person dressed as a traditional Chinese performer with intricate costume and headwear, standing next to a young woman in Asian attire. To the right, a close-up portrait of a woman with short, curly hair, looking directly at the camera.
Angela Smith
Black and white photo of five actors dressed in costumes, possibly for a theatrical performance, with a background of stage curtains. The caption mentions Maria Boyle, Tommy McShane, McGlade, and Hugh D. Finnegan.
Black and white photograph of five people, three women seated in the front and two men standing behind them. The women are wearing dresses with floral decorations and hats, while the men are wearing medical scrubs. The image has handwritten signatures from the individuals, with some signatures reading "Tommy Mae Shave" and "Hugh J. Flinger."
Four women are gathered around a man who is playing a stringed instrument, possibly a mandolin or guitar, and singing or speaking to them. The women are wearing vintage nurse or medical uniforms with caps, suggesting a mid-20th-century setting.
A woman sitting on a black wooden chair, dressed in a vintage formal gown with a floral pattern, puffy sleeves, and a pink skirt with lace trim. She is wearing long white gloves, earrings, and a necklace, with short dark hair styled neatly. The background features gray tiled walls.
A vintage black-and-white photograph of the St. Agnes (Belfast) Choral Society from 1964, standing outdoors in a city street, dressed in historical costumes resembling 18th-century attire, behind a large Venetian-style mask with a woman's face painted on it.
St. Agnes' Choral Society with Trophies 1962
Photograph of five girls dressed in traditional costumes, standing on a stage with a patterned backdrop. The girls are smiling and posing for a photo. The caption indicates they are performing as the 'Grisettes' in a choral society presentation in Belfast.
A black and white photograph of a group of five people, including the Lord Mayor, Councillor William Jenkins, in a social setting. The group includes Miss Anne Walsh, Joseph Tometly, Lady Mayoress, and Miss May Lowe, all engaged in conversation and smiling.
Photograph of six women in a choral group, smiling and wearing matching costumes with hats, identified as the Grisettes from the St. Agnes Choral Society. Below, a second picture shows three women in costume in a conversation, two dressed in military-style uniforms and one in civilian clothing. The caption mentions that this is a production of "The Merry Widow" opening soon.
A black-and-white photo of seven people standing in a line, smiling, in an indoor setting. They include a mix of men and women dressed in vintage clothing, likely from the mid-20th century.
Black and white photo of eight women in polka dot dresses, wearing choir hats, standing in a line with hands raised in a singing gesture during a choir performance, titled 'Colorful Choristers in City Show'.
Two black-and-white photographs, one above the other. The top photo shows Peggy White 'Praskivia' with ladies in a production. The bottom photo depicts principals of St. Agnes' Choral Society rehearsing at the Husband Memorial Hall in Belfast.
Newspaper article about Eithne Gallagher, a prominent figure in St Agnes's Choral Society, featuring a black-and-white portrait of her smiling. The article highlights her career, roles, achievements, and family background.
Black and white photo of Pat Lundy and Liam Bergin at the St. Agnes Choral Society production of 'The Merry Widow' in Belfast, with a caption describing the event and participants.
A black and white newspaper photo showing two groups: the top group is a choir of women dressed in costume, posing with hands on hips, smiling. The bottom group features two women dressed as historical characters, with one wearing a crown and elaborate costume, and the other in period dress, both smiling.
A collage of newspaper clippings featuring articles and photographs about the St. Agnes Choral Society's achievements, including winners of a competition, photographs of performers Betty McHugh and Marie McGlade, and an article about the opera group's awards.
Close-up of a newspaper clipping from 1965, covering various stories including Welsh singers winning a premier opera award, a tribute to the Waterford International Festival, and an event where Margaret Diamond played the kitchen chores in Waterford.
A newspaper article about 'The Mikado' performance, praising its high quality, talented cast, and outstanding choir. Highlights include mentions of actors, music, and upcoming performances.
A collection of vintage newspaper clippings about the success of St. Agnes Society at a festival, including articles about performances, awards, and upcoming events, with headlines such as "St. Agnes Society's Success at Festival," "St. Agnes' Are Tops with a Gilbert and Sullivan," "St. Agnes' to Perform 'The Arcadians'," and "Festival Cup for Welsh Group."
Program cover for the 6th Festival of The Music Society, featuring The Golldiers, presented by the St. Agnes Choral Society, held in the Whitla Hall on Saturday, February 22nd, 1964, at 7:45 p.m.
Old newspaper clippings featuring photos and reviews of a theater production titled 'A Night in Venice,' including cast photos and articles describing the show.
Three printed flyers for a choral society event, each with details about different performances at Cushendall Golf Club, featuring musical themes, dates, times, ticket prices, and decorative musical note borders.
Collection of vintage flyers, posters, and newspaper clippings related to the St. Agnes Musical Society, opera performances, and theater productions, including handwritten notes and signatures.
A newspaper clipping titled "Premiere of 'The Music Man'" with a black and white photograph of a woman in costume on the left and a scene from a stage performance with three people, including a woman in a dress and a man in a suit, on the right.
A vintage newspaper article about a production of 'The Geisha' by St. Agnes' Choral Society in Belfast. The article describes the performance, cast, and highlights notable performers such as Molly Seamore and Geraldine Erwin. It mentions the production's accolades, the cast's performances, and the event's significance.