Over spring break, Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Madrigals and Chorus harmonized through Ireland’s most distinguished and revered historical sights. During their seven-day stay, students and faculty enriched their knowledge of Irish culture and connected through the arts. This unique trip allowed students to meld music and religion as they explored extraordinary landmarks in Ireland.
Miss Annette Etheridge, Middle and Upper School Music Director, Mr. Sean Lowery, Middle and Upper School Orchestra and Chorus Director, Miss Danielle Gennaro ’05, Bell Choir Director and Technical Director of Upper School Theatrical Productions, and Mrs. Eva Carrasquero, Lower School Music Teacher and Arts Department Chair, accompanied the 26 students on their trip. The Madrigals and Chorus set out March 8 and first embarked on their journey in Dublin. There, they toured the city’s most popular landmarks, including the O’Connell Bridge, where the public celebrates the famed St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and the EPIC Museum, which tells the story of Irish emigrants and their cultural impacts worldwide.
After journeying from Dublin to Kilkenny, the group attended Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral and explored the historic Kilkenny Castle, which Sir William de Marshall constructed in the 13th century. From 1391 to 1931, the castle was home to the Butler Family. It is now a hotel which Mrs. Eithne Fitzpatrick Scott-Lennon runs, according to britannica.com. Students later attended a sheepdog presentation at Jerpoint Park. During their time in Kilkenny, the Sacred Heart Madrigals and Chorus sang in St. Canice’s Cathedral, which Bishop Hugh de Mapilton built in the 13th century as a tribute to St. Cainnech of Aghaboe, the patron saint of Ossory and Kilkenny, according to stcanicescathedral.ie.
From Kilkenny, the group moved on to Limerick and drove along the Wild Atlantic Way to visit the Cliffs of Moher, which stand 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. While rain clouds and winds swept through the air, the Madrigals and Chorus performed songs near the cliffs at the welcome center. After leaving the cliffs, Sacred Heart students enjoyed lunch at a pub in Doolin, a nearby town famous for its Irish musical heritage.
The group then transferred back to Dublin and met with students from Mount Anville Secondary School, the Sacred Heart sister school in Dublin. On the last day, the Sacred Heart Madrigals and Chorus performed in the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the National Cathedral of Ireland. After the group sang, they visited the popular Merry Ploughboy pub and watched an immersion of musical performances with lots of singing and dancing. During the show, musicians played traditional Irish instruments such as the fiddle and the mandolin, creating a unique energy. Freshman Gianna Rodriguez reflected upon her experience touring the cities and bonding with students in the Madrigals and Chorus.
“Touring a new country with everyone allowed the Madrigals and Chorus to bond,” Gianna said. “And although I loved singing in the churches, it was also really fun to sing together on the bus.”
The Madrigals choir began traveling worldwide in 2009, sharing their love of singing around the globe. The tradition began in 2008, when Sacred Heart hosted a choir from the Network school in Bregenz, Austria. Students from Austria stayed with Sacred Heart families and created a connection with the broader Greenwich community. Since then, the Madrigals have followed the footsteps of the Austrian choir, making trips biannually to visit various Sacred Heart schools and perform in cathedrals and notable landmarks. They have now been to Austria, France, England, Spain, and Ireland. This tradition has continued for 16 years, allowing students to create new experiences and bonds with Sacred Heart students from around the world. Miss Etheridge expressed her enthusiasm about the trip and the inclusivity these trips create.
“I hope students have a fun experience and come together as a group to perform,” Miss Etheridge said. “When you are on a trip like this with all different ages, they are going to be wandering around together through Ireland, where they will hopefully build a camaraderie.”
Touring around a new city exposes students to an unfamiliar culture and permits them to gain a more profound understanding of national history. In Ireland, students enjoyed exploring different castles and learning about the landmarks’ unique stories. Additionally, during another year’s trip to England, students walked around Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) Janet Erskine Stuart’s memorial, and in France, they sang in the Church of St. François-Xavier, where Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat’s sarcophagus is located.
The Madrigals trips allow students to connect with their counterparts from different Sacred Heart schools so they can learn more about the diverse aspects of their peers’ schools and cultures. Miss Etheridge explained that this trip acts as an immersion into a different culture, similar to the Sacred Heart exchange program. For some students, this was one of their last Madrigals performances, and their voyage to Ireland allowed them to enjoy singing and connecting with their peers.
The Madrigals expected to make the trip to Ireland in March 2020, but the trip required a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic. Senior Anna Oliver has been a part of Madrigals for three years. Now, as a senior, she has taken on leadership roles in the Madrigals to support younger singers in the group. Before the trip, Anna spoke about her enthusiasm for this once-in-a-lifetime experience and her role as a leader during the trip.
“As a senior, I feel I need to be a leader during the trip, but also, it’s my last year here, and I am doing all these things that I never thought I would get the opportunity to do,” Anna said. “Ireland was always a famed trip that never was, and now that it is happening, I think it’s a good idea to end the year with a bang.”
Featured Image by Ellie Furman ’26
