The Slaney Inn does the business yet again in pub talent competition
FOLLOWING a hotly contested affair with over 13 pubs across the Enniscorthy area taking part, the winners of the Strawberry Fair Pub Talent Competition were presented with their prizes at a special ceremony at The Slaney Inn in Oylegate recently.
Festival Chairman Jimmy Gahan said that they had had a great uptake on the competition this year and the level of talent was extremely high, giving adjudicators Andy and Norma Doyle a real headache as they attempted to separate the wheat from the chaff and pick an overall winner.
The taker of that particular honour was The Slaney Inn itself, scooping the overall winner prize for the third time in just four years and once again establishing themselves as the pub to beat. Some wonderful singers took part in the competition and Chris O’Brien from Doyle’s of The Still was awarded best female, while Paddy Maher of The Slaney Inn won best male.
Best Traditional Music Pub went to The Antique Tavern, while Paddy Davitt won best instrumental performance for Treacy’s Hotel. Best Comedy Act was awarded to Aidan Joe Murphy from Dawson’s and Best MC was Lou Baz from Doyle’s of The Still. Best Group was The Heartbeats from Treacy’s while adjudicator awards went to Ann Dreelan from Treacy’s, Conran’s of Rathnure and Pat Hayes for The Sawdust in The Ballagh.
While The Slaney Inn scooped the top prize, they were closely followed by Treacy’s in second and Doyle’s of the Still in third.
Mr Gahan thanked everyone who took part and sponsors Carlsberg for their help in ensuring the competition continued as part of the festival.