Civic reception for Voice of Ireland winner Brendan in Carrickmacross this evening

Brendan McCahey

Voice of Ireland winner Brendan McCahey will be honoured with a civic reception in Carrickmacross tonight.

The 37-year-old landed the coveted title and record deal with Universal on RTÉ last night.

Brendan had been a favourite for the title for some time but ensured his success with an impressive performance of An Emotional Fish’s song ‘Celebrate’ alongside Jerry Fish.

He also performed a cover of The Strypes’ hit ‘You Can’t Judge a Book By The Cover’, which he had also sang earlier in the competition.

Hailing from Shercock in Cavan, Brendan is well known in local music circles having worked for a spell in Beat-It Music in Blackrock where he often sold guitars to his current Voice of Ireland mentor, Bressie.

Indeed, Brendan and Bressie were in the seaside village last week campaigning for support ahead of the final.

He has previously impressed on the show with covers of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Once In My Life’, Sam Smith’s ‘Stay With Me’ and the Roy Orbison classic ‘She’s A Mystery To Me’.

The civic reception begins at 6.30pm, with Brendan set to arrive just after 7pm.

Celebrations for Brendan as he secures Voice of Ireland title

There were celebrations for local singer Brendan McCahey last night as he was crowned The Voice of Ireland winner.

Brendan had been a favourite for the title for some time but ensured his success with an impressive performance of An Emotional Fish’s song ‘Celebrate’ alongside Jerry Fish.

He also performed a cover of The Strypes’ hit ‘You Can’t Judge a Book By The Cover’, which he had also sang earlier in the competition.

Hailing from Shercock in Cavan, Brendan is well known in local music circles having worked for a spell in Beat-It Music in Blackrock where he often sold guitars to his current Voice of Ireland mentor, Bressie.

Indeed, Brendan and Bressie were in the seaside village last week campaigning for support ahead of the final.

He has previously impressed on the show with covers of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Once In My Life’, Sam Smith’s ‘Stay With Me’ and the Roy Orbison classic ‘She’s A Mystery To Me’.

Brendan now secures a recording contract as a result of his win.

Vantastival entry deadline this Sunday

The organisers of the Vantastival festival have extended the deadline for accepting applications from all original acts and trade groups for the 2014 event.

Applications were due to be in by last Sunday but have been extended until this Sunday, January 12th with full details available here.

All you need is to provide short information on your act and at least three tracks to be considered.

Last year’s Vantastival took place in Bellurgan Park and featured the likes of Damien Dempsey, And So I Watch You From Afar, Jerry Fish, Altan, Mark Geary, The Trampz and many more.

Vantastival now accepting applications for 2014 festival

The organisers of the Vantastival festival are now accepting applications from all original acts and trade groups for the 2014 event.

All you need is to provide short information on your act and at least three tracks to be considered.

Applications close on Sunday January 5^th with full details available here.

Last year’s Vantastival took place in Bellurgan Park and featured the likes of Damien Dempsey, And So I Watch You From Afar, Jerry Fish, Altan, Mark Geary, The Trampz and many more.

 

 

Vantastival 1. Louth County Council 0.

The Vantastival music and camper van festival takes place in Bellurgan Park next weekend and while an influx of music fans might be welcomed by the town’s business community, Louth County Council appeared to have a bit more of a problem with it.

Over a year ago, the local authority had ruled that the festival constituted development and therefore required full planning permission in order to proceed at Bellurgan Park. Vantastival appealed this to An Bord Pleanála, who have ruled in favour of the festival.

Basically, the council felt that as the festival was marketed nationally, it could not be considered local and therefore did not qualify to be held under current planning laws.

However, Vantastival organisers successfully argued that all events advertised on the web could be deemed as marketed to a national and global audience and An Bord Pleanála upheld their view.

The council’s original decision, especially in the year of The Gathering, is puzzling and yet again throws up concerns over the actions of the planning department after a number of question decisions regarding high-profile developments in recent years.

The festival, which will be held over the May Bank Holiday weekend, will feature the likes of Damien Dempsey, And So I Watch You From Afar, Jerry Fish, Altan, RSAG, Mark Geary, Nanu Nanu and many more.

A three day camping ticket is €89 with day tickets €40.

Source: Vantastival vs Louth County Council (The Irish Times)