Irish Pensioners Choir Band

Founded over 10 years ago, The Irish Pensioners Choir Band brings together more than 30 older Irish people, most in their 70s and 80s, coming from all over Ireland and making their homes here in London over many decades. Although an independent group, it has been supported by the Irish Elderly Advice Network throughout this time.

The choir has performed for audiences of tens of thousands, including several years at London’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square. Members also performed as part of the Irish community choir in the Royal Albert Hall in honour of President Michael D Higgins’ state visit to Britain in 2014. They have sung on national television for Sir Terry Wogan on ITV and on the BBC’s The One Show. They have performed on RTĖ Radio and Television, and are regularly played by Donncha Ó Dúlaing on the very popular Fáilte Isteach.

The choir has recorded a beautiful album of old Irish songs, Songs of Love and Emigration, which has been very popular with the Irish community, both in London and in Ireland.

During RtLT 2025 they are supported by a band of fantastic musicians many of whom will be familiar faces to this part of the festival, namely Nora Mulready (fiddle and vocals), Caroline Regan (concertina and vocals), Caroline Hetherton (vocals), Ciara Holland (guitar and vocals), Nathalie McDermott (vocals), Ed Anderton (guitar) and Billy Faughnan  (keyboard).