Talented Harte is winner of Westmeath Amateur Talent Contest

Drum native John Harte was crowned the winner of the Westmeath Amateur Talent Contest in front of a packed Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone on Friday night. This charity fundraising event supported pitch development at the ground of organisers Temple Villa AFC and the club was delighted to present proceeds from the event of €1,000 to South Westmeath Hospice and another €1,000 to St. Luke's Cancer Research Over 13 nights, some 51 acts competed for the top prize and a thrilling final saw all contestants perform to a packed house with John Harte taking top spot from Deirdre Higgins in second place and the magical Aidan Murphy in third. The very enjoyable comedy act of Kevin Donohoe and Gary Mullins took fourth place with the highest audience vote. Organisers believe John Harte showed on each of his performances that he truly is an emerging talent and they said there was little doubt among those present that he will become an established household name in years to come. Commenting on the contest, Chairperson of Temple Villa AFC Eamon O'Neill acknowledged the support from audiences over the thirteen nights was a major factor in making a great success of the very first Westmeath Amateur Talent Contest. Temple Villa AFC expressed thanks to sponsors the Westmeath Independent, Sharon Kavanagh Travel and Grouse Lodge Recording Stuiods. They also paid tribute to those who had worked on the sound, graphics and lighting, the committee of Temple Villa and their familie , all the judges, MC Tom Curtin, the staff of the Dean Crowe Theatre and special guest artists. Temple Villa AFC singled out for special mention, all of the contestants without whom there would have been no contest. Chairman Eamon O'Neill said: “Acutely aware of the talent that is around, we still had no idea that this contest would produce the standard it did. We are still truly amazed at the abilities of each performer in this contest and it is an honour and privilege for our club to have had the opportunity to present this talent to our audiences over 13 nights.†The club confirmed its intention to run the contest again next year and stated provisional dates were already booked with the Dean Crowe Theatre for the 2011 Westmeath Amateur Talent Contest later this year. Meanwhile, the Westmeath Amateur Talent Contest has nominated John Harte (Athlone), Deirdre Higgins (Moate), Erica Heslin (Mullingar), Joe Maher (Ferbane) and Ciara Moran (Dublin) as representatives of all contestants, to record solo on the Westmeath Amateur Talent Contest five-track CD in the famous Grouse Lodge Recording Studio Rosemount John Harte took home the top prize of one week in Portugal for two adults and two children with flights and accommodation paid. Second prize of €500 went to solo performer Deirdre Higgins and the magical Aidan Murphy claimed O2 tickets as his prize in third place. With the highest audience vote the very enjoyable comedy act of Kevin Donohoe and Gary Mullins took fourth place and received €100.