Athlone student wins Glór Tíre TV show
Athlone IT student Emma Donohue (22) from Ballinasloe has been crowned winner of TG4's ‘Glór Tíre' for 2021 live from The Quays in Galway last night.
In a highly contested final, Emma, who is a student nurse from Killoran, took the majority of the public votes to beat David Connor from Claremorris in Mayo to take the coveted title of ‘Glór Tíre’ champion for 2021 and win the cash prize of €5,000.
She was mentored by country star Mike Denver on the hugely popular country music talent show which is looking for the next big star on the country and Irish scene.
A jubilant Emma said after winning: “I am absolutely delighted. You have made one girl from Galway a very happy woman tonight.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the team of Gaelmedia who made this experience so worthwhile and to TG4 thank you. I want to say commiserations to David and to all the other contestants who took part in the series. You all have a fantastic future ahead of you.”
Emma, who is in her third year studying General Nursing in Athlone IT, recently told the Westmeath Independent in February: "I love my job in nursing but I aspire to have a career in music too”.
‘Glór Tíre’, produced by Gaelmedia, was presented by Aoife Ni Thuairisg and Séamus Ó Scanláin, with help from the judges John Creedon, Caitríona Ní Shúilleabháin and Jo Ní Chéide who ably guided the contestants. The winner was decided by a public vote.
This year's competition which was broadcast live each week from The Quays Galway was not without its challenges because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The semi-final and final of the series were postponed in March due to a Covid-19 incident, and two contestants left the competition due to a breach in Level 5 guidelines.
The most recent withdrawal was Glasson singer Tilly Dawson Stanley, who pulled out of Tuesday's final following a breach of Covid-19 guidelines during a live stream on Facebook last Sunday.
Tilly, who was being mentored by singing star Cliona Hagan, said those involved were socially distanced, but this wasn't fully visible on camera and she accepts that complaints were made.
Máire Ní Chonláin, Commissioning Editor of Glór Tíre said following the final that it was 'important for TG4 and Gaelmedia who produced Glór Tíre to keep everyone involved in this year's Glór Tíre 2021 safe; the crew, competitors, and guest singers each week.
“Live broadcasting during a pandemic is a challenge Congratulations to Emma Donohue, this year's winner, and we wish everyone who took part in the competition this year the best for the future.''
You can catch up with last night's final of ‘Glór Tíre’ on the TG4 Player.