Derry’s Hive Cancer Support Choir are to appear on the first episode of the new series of Curfá this Sunday, October 25 at 8pm on TG4.

Produced by Tyrone Productions and presented by Doireann Ní Ghlacáin the series is searching for the best choir in Ireland 2026.

Over 8 weeks, 12 amazing choirs will be narrowed down to just 3 who will perform in the grand finale with some very special guest performers!

The heats will be taking place in stunning locations around the country including St Columb's Hall.

placeholder image — Derry’s Hive Cancer Support Choir

In each episode, the choirs will sing 2 songs, each before two of the choirs battle it out in a ‘chorus-off’ to get one step closer to the ultimate accolade of being the nation’s favourite.

It’s all in a bid to win the amazing prize of €5000 and the chance to sing on stage with one of Ireland's biggest bands, ‘The Hothouse Flowers’.

In the first episode on Sunday the Hive Cancer Support Choir will feature.

Director of Hive Cancer Support Choir Siobhan Heaney directs many choirs in Derry, but the Hive Cancer Support Choir is very close to her heart, after losing her sister, mother and aunt to cancer.

Everyone in the choir has been affected by cancer in different ways, whether directly or indirectly. Derry is known for its craic & ceol, and this choir embodies that with ‘fun’ being the number one priority in the choir.

Joining Hive Cancer Support Choir in the first episode are Cór Taobh a’ Leithid from Gaoth Dobhair and Quire choir -Belfast.

In Gaoth Dobhair, Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde founded Cór Thaobh a' Leithid, a 3-4 part group of musicians who sing sean-nós and traditional Irish songs. The choir has been going for over 25 years, with many members coming and going throughout that time. The choir has performed at the Earagail Arts Festival in Letterkenny, Donegal, and at the National Concert Hall as part of Irish folk musician and producer Dónal Lunny’s St. Patrick's Festival Concert in Dublin.

Quire is the first and only LGBTQ+ choir in the North of Ireland, celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. Members come from across Ulster and meet every Wednesday for rehearsals in the All Souls Church in Belfast. They enjoy performing a wide variety of music genres, with some Kyle Minogue and Musical numbers in the mix, and are a real feel-good, positive choir!

MD Niall O’ Flaherty Lynch took over as the choir’s Music Director two years ago and the choir is going from strength to strength. The choir is made up of different religions, races and abilities, and they come to life when they perform on stage together. What started out with 15 members has grown to nearly 100 participants, including members from Austria, France & South Africa, who celebrate their multiculturalism and differences.

They share one aim: to impress the panel of judges, Colm Ó Foghlú, Bernie Pháid and Séamus Ó Flatharta, with special guest judges Pádraig Jack and Dónall Mac Ruairí.

The new series begins at 8pm on Sunday, October 25, on https://www.tg4.ie/