Michelle Skehan
Stung by the disappointment of last years All Ireland Hurling Final against Kilkenny in Croke Park, local Holycross and GAA fanatic Michelle Skehan, is hoping to lift the hearts of her fellow Tipperary fans by flying the ‘Blue and Gold’ flag in yet another All Ireland Final.
The competition this time, RTE 1’s All Ireland Talent Show. Michelle’s bid to bring home the title begins on Sunday 24th January at 6.30pm when she will represent the South of Ireland under the mentoring of Cork man John Creedon.
Well known locally, past pupil of Holycross NS and Presentation Convent Secondary School, Thurles, 25 year old Michelle, a teacher at Scoil Angela Ursuline primary school and Moyne NS, has been involved with many local community and sports groups such as Holycross Folk Group, Thurles Gospel Singers, Holycross/Ballycahill Camogie and Thurles Sarsfields Ladies Football Team.
From performing regularly at the Ship Bar, Cormackstown, singer/songwriter Michelle has gone on to perform on the big stage alongside many of the great names in the music business including Brendan Bowyer, Mary Black and Frances Black. “Performing my own songs on stage with greats like Brendan Bowyer was a dream come true, I have thought about this day for so long.”
Determined to make a name for herself in the music industry, Michelle decided to take a career break from teaching this year to focus entirely on her song writing and music with a view to recording her own material. To date, she has successfully reached the final of Tipp FM’s Premier Factor competition and has been a regular guest on Tipp FM, performing her own compositions live on Radio.
The top prize is a whopping €50,000 and Michelle is certain that the money would send her well on her way towards achieving her musical dreams. “Winning this competition would be the ultimate boost I need. My supreme goal is to create my own studio at home with recording equipment and software. If I had anything left over then I could put new strings on my guitars, banjo, and mandolin, and get my piano tuned.” stated Michelle
Michelle is hoping to impress the judges and the public with her own version of a well-known folk song. She will need as many public votes as possible to keep her in the competition. “I will do my very best, for my parish, town, county, the south and all music lovers across the country and hopefully I will make it through. I don’t want to leave the studio feeling as I did leaving Croker in September. Our Tipp heroes played their hearts out on the day and were winners in all our eyes.”
This time the people of Tipp can choose their own destiny so please tune in and vote for Michelle on the All Ireland Talent Show, Sunday 24th January, @ 6.30pm on RTE1.
All the best Michelle! We’ll be voting for ya!
Best of luck Michelle – do it for Tipperary.
Its always great to see some home grown Thurles talent on the TV on a Sunday. Best of luck to her, I hope she goes all the way and wins it. And even if she dosent shes still a winner.