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FR. MARTIN CLARKE,
Director of the Catholic
Youth Council in Dublin and solicitor, was
the chief celebrant of a Christmas Day Mass
which was broadcast from All Hallows
College in Dublin to a potential television
audience of 2.33 billion people! The Mass
was broadcast to Europe, the Middle East,
Africa and North and South America and
EWTN in Birmingham, Alabama and Celtic
Vision in Boston brought the Mass to 90% of
the Roman Catholic population of the world
or 864 million potential viewers. France,
Switzerland and Belgium received the
Christmas Day Mass via Eurovision but 166
other countries received it via cable networks
on the Intersat and Galaxy satellites.
Music for the Mass was provided by one of
Ireland's leading choral groups, Our Lady's
Choral Society, which this year celebrates its
Golden Jubilee. Our Lady's Choral Society
Fr. Martin Clarke,
Solicitor
rehearses each week at Blackhall Place. The
choir was conducted by
Pronnsias O Duinn.
Soloists included
Lynda Lee
(soprano),
Deirdre Masterson
(mezzo-soprano),
Deirdre Cooling-Nolan
(alto),
Emmanuel
Lawler
(tenor) and
Philip O Reilly
(bass).
A traditional Irish music group, Ceoltoiri
Chaoimhin, joined the National Sinfonia
Orchestra in leading the singing of well-
known Christmas carols.
The Mass was attended by Ms.
Nora Owen,
Minister for Justice.
Martin Clarke served his apprenticeship in
Overend, McCarron & Gibbons and
qualified as a solicitor in 1970. He joined
Eugene F. Collins
where he practised until
1976 when he left for Clonliffe College to
train for the priesthood. He was ordained
in 1980.
Our I adv's Choral Society in All Hallows College Chapel with Conductor Proinnsias O Duinn (centre foreground)
and
Choir Director Fr. Pat O'Donoghue (right
foreground).