The choir's musical director Noel Collins recalls the laughter when the choir member said: "Wouldn't it be great if we performed this in Rome?"
While it was viewed as an unattainable dream, the suggestion flicked a switch in his brain.
"That got me thinking, why not? Why not perform in Rome? And I did a little bit of research and a little bit of homework, and it became possible," Mr Collins said.
Mr Collins contacted a travel company that organises Italian trips and suddenly the north Clondalkin Community Choir found itself scheduled to perform at the Vatican on Sunday 10 March.
The following day, 50 choir members will also travel to the Italian town Assisi to perform at its basilica.
The trip is the result of hard work by the group which ranges from children as young as nine years of age, to older members in their 80s.
Rehearsals take place at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Rowlagh every Monday evening.
It is a chance for people to meet up, socialise and sing.
Carolyn O'Brien, the assistant musical director, grew up in the area and believes the choir is an important social outlet locally, particularly for older people who were socially isolated due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"People like to have somewhere where they can gather, chat, have a laugh and do something they like.
"Most of the people in the choir are people we’ve known all our lives....we're a big family," she said.
Marie Murray, who has lived in Clondalkin for 47 years, agrees that the choir has been an asset to the local area because it offers an opportunity for older people to meet people of all ages at rehearsals.
The choir also welcomes people from beyond the parameters of Clondalkin.
There are members who have moved to Ireland from abroad which one member proudly declares makes it "an international choir".
Indeed, "you don’t even have to be religious" to attend.
Daniel Wright, who is 12, will be travelling to Italy for the first time this weekend and is "very excited".
"We'll be singing different things (hymns and songs). One or two of them in Latin, one or two in Italian and other different sorts of pieces," he said.
What is astounding is that the group only formed a year ago when Noel Collins was approached by the local librarian who suggested establishing a choir.
Mr Collins, who is originally from the area, approached local Councillor Shane Moynihan for guidance in setting up the voluntary group.
The Fianna Fáil Councillor was just as surprised as everyone else when he discovered they were bound for the Vatican.
"I could believe it, but then again, when you meet Noel Collins for the first time and you see this choir in action, the first thing you get is this sense of infectious enthusiasm. You can't help but be buoyed along," he said.
North Clondalkin is one of the most disadvantaged suburbs in Dublin and there is no doubt the choir has brought joy to the area.
"From a part of the world where we see an awful lot of disadvantage, to see a good story like this come out of it, the pride that it creates and the pride that neighbours and the community have of this choir.
"That is just truly, truly inspirational," according to Cllr Moynihan.
From humble beginnings a year ago, this weekend will go down in north Clondalkin's history as a dream and a feat that few could have envisaged when they signed up to their local community choir.