With the wealth of singing talent across West Cork, not least in Drimoleague where the singing festival has just wound down for another year, locals are surely in with an excellent chance of being crowned Cork’s next country music star.
They could well follow in the footsteps of Ardgroom’s Effie Neill, last year’s Glór Tíre finalist, by applying to audition for the 2026 edition of the popular TG4 show.
Entrants must be over 18 since June this year, and are invited to audition by sending just one video or YouTube link of themselves ag canadh, along with some other details.
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Would-be stars must not be under contract to a manager or management agency.
The closing date is October 8th, and the series will be judged by Jó Ní Chéide and Caitriona Ní Shuilleabháin, with the series presented by Aoife Ní Thuairisg.
Meanwhile, Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh (Ballingeary) lady Nell Ní Chróinín features in a brand-new series for the channel. Ceol ón gCré is a four-part series where each episode will focus on a core theme of rural life: the land, the sea, the heart, and the soul.
Ardgroom singer Effie Neill.
The opening episode, focusing on the land, features Muscraí singer Eoiní Maidhcí Ó Suilleabháin, as well as Nell’s own parents Teddy and Síle Uí Chróinín.
The second episode, Tuile agus Trá, looks at the influence of the sea on traditional music with performances from Ronan O’Flaherty, Conor Connolly, and Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill.
Next death, memory, and the afterlife will be celebrated with folklorist Billy Mag Fhloinn, while Nell also performs Seán Ó Duibhir a Ghleanna with Australian-Irish musician Steve Cooney.
In the final episode, love and romantic traditions take centre stage with Padraig McGovern and Sabina McCague, and dancers and storytellers among the performers including The West Clare Wren Boys, Mairéad Uí Lionaird, and Tom and Sham Hyland.
