The Catherine Hayes Gala Concert 2026

Welcome to the historic setting of St. Mary’s Cathedral Limerick

for tonight’s gala performance- crowning event of this year’s

Limerick Opera Festival, a celebration of the life and art of

Limerick’s great diva, Catherine Hayes. It’s a particular pleasure to

welcome Mayor of Limerick , Mr john Moran who’s

honouring the occasion with his presence tonight, and a welcome

to the generous sponsors of this event, Limerick Twenty Thirty. Our MC for the concert is Liz Nolan

of RTÉ lyric fm- Ireland’s classical radio broadcaster, proud to be

based here in the heart of Limerick city- where it’s a pleasure to

present two stellar Irish voices of today, sopranos Jean Wallace and

Ami Hewitt, with distinguished collaborative pianist Irina Dernova.