'It reminded me of Electric Picnic' Laois choir review New York St Patrick's Day experience

Some of the 45 Laois men who flew to New York to represent the county in the USA's St Patrick's Day parade had never left Ireland before, or even Laois itself.

Timahoe Male Choir gives a vital social connection for many rural men in the parish of Timahoe, Stradbally and Vicarstown, and lots of passports were taken out especially for their USA trip of a lifetime.

The trip was a great success from start to finish, according to tired choir leader Damien Bowe, speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live after they returned home on March 19.

“It was an absolutely huge success. It nearly reminded me of Electric Picnic, everything was just brilliant.

“We got really good crowds at the gigs. Obviously we're not known but that's the power of social media. We talked to people from Laois who had been living there for up to 30 years, they came to the pubs because we were there, from Crettyard, Portarlington even south Kildare, it was gas.

“The main highlight was turning left onto 5th Avenue, it put the chills up the spine, it was incredible. There was a real sense of pride being from Laois. It was just fun too waving at the crowd, it was fantastic from start to finish,” Damien said.

The choir members who came aged from their mid 20s to mid 70s, including rural residents, and many had to get their first passports for the trip.

“Some hadn't even been out of the county before,” Damien said.

For the parade they were smartly and warmly dressed in matching red and black branded coats, peaked caps and scarves, with a raffle ahead of the trip to pay towards costs.

Parish Priest Fr David Vard was among the singing group that has found a place in the hearts of many for their fun, energetic performances of crowd favourite songs.

Fr David Vard in the New York St Patrick's Day parade. Photo: Paul Dargan

“The trip was an amazing experience and one that will never be forgotten. Frm the gigs, to marching in the parade but also just having the chats with my fellow choir members and getting to represent our community in the US. One that will never be repeated and never forgotten,” Fr Vard said.

The choir kept the home crowds up to date with videos and news on their Facebook page. Viewers at home tuned in to CNN to watch the parade live. See their videos and updates here.

The choir had gigs lined up Phebe's Tavern and The Beer Authority, and also had a joyous impromptu gig in McSorley's Ale House, New York's oldest continually open saloon.

They even sang with the Naked Cowboy, all wearing their Timahoe jocks.

The choir also attended Mass in New York, with choir member Fr David Vard PP assisting at the Mass.

They were honoured to give a special performance too at the American Irish Historical Society, singing the emotional Isle of Hope.

The choir are selling a CD of five songs in aid of Cuisle Centre and Timahoe NS, including their upbeat version of Lovely Laois. Watch their video of Lovely Laois here and see where you can buy the CD.