Dydd Iau 1af Hydref,
Everyone was full of excitement when we left the D J Thomas coach depot in Baglan for the journey to Fishguard Harbour. A very pleasant journey down.
Did anyone cause problems at the Customs Terminal? Oh yes! By changing buses! The officials spotted the discrepancy and 2 members were removed from Bus 1 to Bus 2 – Honestly!
We arrived early evening at the lovely Hotel Kilkenny. An enjoyable social and buffet first evening. A long day! Goodnight! ‘Oíche mhaith’
Dydd Gwener 2il Hydref,
An early hearty breakfast for most! and off to Birr for a lunchtime concert. Did anyone miss the coach and have to travel by taxi? Oh yes!
Arrangements were wonderful in St. Brendan’s Church with a practice session and hall area for changing. The Gwalia Singers were indeed delighted to be part of the Birr Music Festival as fellow Celts and, importantly, the friendship connection with long-term chorister John Davies.
Deputy Accompanist, Gareth Widlake compered the event, and we gave a rousing rendition of ‘Let All Men Sing’ to start their first half programme,followed by popular ‘Calon Lân’ and ‘Y Darlun’. The Choir were truly on form, acoustics were great, the church was full and the audience showed their appreciation.
Gareth Widlake then introduced the Choir’s history, acclaimed the accompanist – Rhian Liles, and our amazing Musical Director – Matthew Sims.
The Gwalia Singers followed on with the poignant ’Y Tangnefeddwyr’, ‘Will Ye Go Lassie Go’ to the beautiful viola accompaniment by Gareth Widlake, and ‘What would I Do Without My Music’.
Talented soloist Dan Davies then performed 2 music theatre solos ‘Til I Hear You Sing’ and ‘Bring Him Home’. The response was immense! He received the well-deserved rousing applause and standing ovation!
The second half programme was the mighty ‘There Is A Land’, then ’Danny Boy’ and ‘Can It Be’, ‘You Are So Beautiful’ and the Choir’s firm favourite ‘Rhys’ arranged by Deputy Music Director, Nick Rogers. For an encore we sang ‘Fix You’. The response again was truly incredible-lots of tears, praise and admiration!
Huge thanks were given to the Gwalia Singers by the Vicar. Well done all! Dan Davies, Gareth Widlake, and the mighty duo of Rhian Liles and Matthew Sims.
Special thanks from all of the choir members and their partners to all who prepared soups and sandwiches following the Concert and, in spite of the inclement weather, we all managed to get to Kelly’s Bar and enjoy a tipple before heading back to the Hotel. A quick turn-around, an evening meal and great entertainment in a local pub and Hotel until the early hours! Goodnight! ‘Oíche mhaith’.
Dydd Sadwrn 3ydd Hydref,
Cawson ni fore hamddenol, tywydd hyfryd, ac ymarfer amser cinio yn yr Eglwys Gadeiriol yn Kilkenny ac yna prynhawn hamddenol yn yr haul.
Cynhaliwyd cyngerdd y noson yn yr ysblennydd 
St.Mary’s Cathedral, which was packed. We were joined for the concert by the Côr Meibion Castlecomer. Fe'u ffurfiwyd ym 1984 a'u cenhadaeth yw hyrwyddo a pherfformio cerddoriaeth gorawl a gwelliant a datblygiad parhaus.
After a warm welcome and initial introductions the Gwalia Singers sang 5 favourites – ‘Let all Men Sing’, ‘Calon Lan’, ‘Trwsio Chi‘, Y Darlun', a'’Rhys’Roedd yr acwstig yn anhygoel a'r perfformiadau'n rhagorol.
Dan Davies then sung a solo presentation of ‘This Is The Moment’ a truly incredible performance and he received a huge round of applause and a standing ovation.
Canodd Côr Meibion Castlecomer rai caneuon hyfryd o'u repertoire; 'The Last Rose of Summer', 'Speed Your Journey', 'Briar & Rose' a'r gân boblogaidd 'Its A Working Man I Am'. Mwynhawyd y gân hon yn fawr a chafodd gymeradwyaeth uchel gan bawb, yn enwedig y garfan o Gymru sy'n canu hon fel rhan o'u repertoire ôl-gân.
After a short interval the Castlecomer Male Voice Choir returned to the stage to sing ‘Anthem’, ‘Yellow’, ‘Bring him Home’ and ‘Soldier’s Chorus’
Dan performed his second song of the evening with a special delivery of music theatre ‘Til I Hear You Sing’ and every audience member stood up to commend him and show their appreciation.
The Gwalia Singers then returned to the stage with a further selection of favourites; ‘There Is A Land’, ’Danny Boy’,’ And Can It Be’, ’A Fyndwch Chi Lassie Go’, and ‘If We Only Have Love’ – all well received and applauded.
The Concert concluded with many thanks to all who organised the event, both Choirs, Dan – the soloist, Accompanists and Musical Directors for their incredible commitment and hard work. The Welsh and Irish Anthems were sung by the respective Choirs, a fitting finale to a truly wonderful evening in St.Mary’s Cathedral.
Cododd y cyngerdd hwn €5,625.29 a rannwyd rhwng y Sefydliad Dillon Quirke sy'n gweithio i godi ymwybyddiaeth o Syndrom Marwolaeth Sydyn Oedolion (SADS) a Canolfan Cymorth Canser Cois Nore.
Aeth y ddau gôr yn ôl i Westy Kilkenny am fwffe a chyfeillgarwch 'ar ôl y noson'. Dechreuodd ymlacio a chymerodd pawb ran yn y canu a'r hwyl. Cyfrannodd y ddau gôr ganeuon i'r achlysur ac roedd y perfformiadau 'Deo' a 'Running Bear' yn wych! Noson hwyr iawn i lawer, dathliad o 2 gyngerdd gwych a chysylltiad â Birr a Kilkenny Music! Diolch! 'Go raibh maith agat'.
Dydd Sul 4ydd Hydref.
Daeth llawer o unigolion blinedig allan yn y pen draw! Diwrnod hamddenol i bawb gan gynnwys ymweliadau â rhai tirnodau lleol. Roedd yn ddiwrnod 'gwyrdd' i ddathlu pen-blwydd Dai yn 71 oed a phen-blwydd Craig yn 50 oed sydd ar fin digwydd gyda gwisgoedd arbennig iawn i'r ddau ohonyn nhw.
Diwrnod hyfryd o fwynhad, a chyfarfod tafarn yn gynnar gyda'r nos yn Nhafarn y Skeilp. Cacen pen-blwydd, canu a chymdeithasu tan oriau mân y bore a fwynhawyd gan y bobl leol a'r c.hor. Nos da! 'Oíche mhaith'’
Dydd Llun 5ed Hydref.
Dechrau cynnar ar gyfer teithio a seibiant croesawgar yn Waterford cyn i'r fferi gyrraedd adref am 1:00am fore Mawrth.
Trip hyfryd gyda chroeso anhygoel yn Iwerddon. Rydym yn estyn diolch yn fawr iawn i bawb a drefnodd y daith, ac i'r unigolion anhygoel Dan Davies, Gareth Widlake, Rhian Liles a Matthew Sims!
Byddem wrth ein bodd yn cael ymweliad arall un diwrnod.
