TALENTED BUNCH AT KANTURK FUNDRAISER
‘HEART Full of Love’ is a well known Eddy Arnold song which aptly epitimoses the generosity both of performers and organisers at the Over 60s Talent Competition which was held in the Edel Quinn Hall, Kanturk, last weekend.
The event, which was also a fundraiser for the Irish Heart Foundation, saw seven contestants battle it out for a place in the county semi-final which will take place in City Hall, Cork on May 7.
Local musician and singer Mick Osborne, representing The Knotted Cord Folk Club and performing Four Green Fields, was the contestant chosen by judges Bernie O’ Sullivan, Humphrey O’ Sullivan and Betty Duncliffe to go through to the semi-final.
Paddy O’ Brien of the Irish Heart Foundation acted as MC, while musical accompaniment for the performers was provided by Neil Moylan.
There was an abundance of great music on offer during the interval as well with Tim Browne, Timmy Lynch, James Linehan, and the Lehane family doing the honours.
Organisers Steve and Joan Roche told The Corkman that this is only the second time the contest has been run in Duhallow. “I won the North Cork contest in Charleville in 2015 and went on to the final, so I thought it would be great to bring the event to Kanturk,” Steve said.
Paddy O’Brien co-ordinates 22 heats of the competition all over Cork City and County. To date, he has generated in excess of €750,000 for the Irish Heart Foundation since he began 41 years ago. Paddy is also a stalwart fundraiser for Marymount Hospice, for which he has collected approximately €500,000.
Contestants at the Kanturk event were:
Mick Osborne, The Knotted Cord Folk Club; Pat Flaherty, Kilbrin Social Club; Maureen Flanagan, Kilmeedy Rambling House; Mary Buckley, Millstreet Active Retired Group; Colie Cloran, Star Trax Studio; Eamon Foley, Banteer & District and Mecca Barrett, Mallow.