Carlow Nationalist — Community Games Talent Show hits high notes 

Bagenalstown medalists at the talent show

Hacketstown’s Mia Kelly first in the U12 solo singing with the Irish Rover

Conor Thornton from Tullow/Grange area was a winner in the recitation

In U16 solo singing Zoe Ryan was placed first with Kate Butler second both from the Burrin area

Sean Nolan warms up for the instrumental competition

Cara Kavanagh from Ballon Rathoe winner of the U12 solo dance

Oliver McDonald from St Laserian’s with his intricate piano playing

Ballon Rathoe winners of the U14 Quiz, Aidan Fanning, Jack Nolan, Michael Kavanagh, OPwain Thomas, Cathal Bailey and Sean Halligan

Graigucullen quiz team were silver medalists

 

By Mairéad Breen

 

The talent on display at Friday evening’s variety show in Scoil Mhuire was simply mesmerising with a wonderful offering of singing, dancing, recitation and music.

From a pitch-perfect rendition of ‘the Irish Rover’ to heart-warming instrumental pieces on tin-whistle, banjo, harp, violin and the bosca ceoil, a breath-taking piano performance of ‘My heart will go on’, to colourful dance routines, and laugh-out-loud recitals, this talent spectacle was not to be missed.

Participant numbers were back to pre-pandemic highs. Entertainment was non-stop for a solid three hours. The most popular category was Solo Music, with nineteen entrants across the two age categories.

Huge appreciation to MC Willie Byrne for his efficient running of proceedings, and of course a debt of gratitude to judges Aoife Buckley, Jack Gladney and Emilie Flanagan.

Thank you to Scoil Mhuire for use of the school, and of course to our Community Games committee. Gold-medal winners will go forward to represent Carlow at the National Finals to be held in Carlow’s Visual in September.

Here is the full list of results:

U12 Solo Music

1. Danny Murphy, Bagenalstown
2. Annie Moriarty, Askea
3. Donnacha Tunstead, Bagenalstown
4. Ella Cowman, Askea

U12 Solo Singing

1. Mia Kelly, Hacketstown
2. Sophie Brennan, St. Lazerians
3. Aoibhin McNamara, Askea
4. Leah Juby, Askea

4.  Roisin McNamara, Askea

U12 Solo Dance

1. Cara Kavanagh, Ballon/Rathoe
2. Emmy Nolan, Askea
3. Sofia Crowson, Tullow/Grange
4. Abigail Cunniffe, St. Mary’s

U12 Solo Recitation

1. Conor Thornton, Tullow/Grange
2. Isabelle Byrne, Askea

U12 Group Music

1. Conal Butler, Tadhg Butler, Danny Murphy, Donnacha Tunstead, Bagenalstown
2. Emma Daly, Zara McGrath, Annie Moriarty, Askea
3. Aoife Gartland, Ella Cowman, Darragh Hopkins, Askea

U12 Group Singing

1. Lexie Cassidy, Aoibhin McNamara, Roisin McNamara, Chloe Payne, Askea
2. Elizabeth Byrne, Liam Rooney, Jack Rooney, Ballon/Rathoe

U12 Group Dance

Dylan Hackett, James Hackett, Bennekerry/Tinryland

U16 Solo Music

1. Oliver McDonald, St. Lazerians
2. Conor Corcoran, Bagenalstown
3. Roisin Tunstead, Bagenalstown
4. Seamus Tunstead, Bagenalstown

4.  Jackson Reilly Cloney, Askea

U16 Solo Singing

1. Zoe Ryan, Burrin
2. Kate Butler, Burrin
3. Katie Kelly, Tullow/Grange

U16 Solo Dance

1. Dearbhla McNally, St. Mary’s

U16 Group Music

1. Cormac Nolan, Sean Nolan, Burrin
2. Conor Corcoran, Roisin Tunstead, Seamus Tunstead, Bagenalstown

U16 Group Singing

1. Emma Byrne, Sarah Lee Byrne, Tullow/Grange