Dundalk woman Lynda McQuaid appointed new director of content with TV3

Lynda McQuaid

Local woman Lynda McQuaid has been appointed by as the new director of content with TV3.

She will replace Jeff Ford, who is returning to the UK in April.

McQuaid, from the Seafield Road in Blackrock, is known as one of Ireland’s foremost TV producers and directors, having produced a string of shows such as The Apprentice, MasterChef, The Voice and You’re a Star.

She has acquired eight IFTA nominations and two IFTA awards.

Lynda’s career began in Granada Television’s entertainment division where she worked on shows such as ‘Stars in Their Eyes’, ‘You’ve Been Framed!’ and ‘This Morning’. She subsequently joined the BBC in 1997 and produced the then unknown Peter Kay on ‘The Sunday Show’. Later that decade she returned to Granada as launch producer for the newly formed ITV2.

Most recently she has worked as executive producer for CBBC in Media City in Manchester and with Communicorp in Dublin.

“I have long wanted to bring Lynda into TV3 as one of Ireland’s most creative TV producers. Her appointment further emphasises TV3’s commitment to origination and production standards, and she was the outstanding candidate to deliver TV3’s brand proposition ‘We Entertain’,” said David McRedmond, TV3 Group CEO.

On her appointment, Lynda said: “I am delighted to be joining Ireland’s leading commercial broadcaster at the most exciting time in its short history. TV3 has proven to be the most innovative force in Irish TV and its brand proposition plays to my strengths and experience. I look forward to developing TV3 Group beyond its current channel line-up and to launch major hit shows in the years ahead.

“TV3’s role is to delight audiences and reward advertisers, and that is what I intend to deliver through the talented production and programming teams in Ballymount.”

Brendan impresses on first Voice of Ireland live show

There was good news for local man Brendan McCahey on Sunday evening as he advanced to the next stage of The Voice of Ireland.

Brendan performed The Strypes’ hit ‘You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover’ on the first live show and received the highest score of the night from the judges. That, coupled with votes from the public, were enough to secure him a place in the next round of 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.

Brendan will next appear on The Voice on Sunday week.

Brendan advances to The Voice of Ireland live shows

Local singer Brendan McCahey last night advanced to the live shows of The Voice of Ireland.

Brendan, who worked for a number of years in Beat-It Music store in Blackrock, was the last of this year’s contestants to take part in the battles.

He took on Roel Villones, with the pair signing the Hall & Oates classic ‘Everytime You Go Away’.

In the end, Bressie – who knew Brendan from buying guitars in Blackrock – sided with Brendan and he now goes forward to next week’s live shows.

No doubt everyone in this area will be wishing him all the best in his bid to become the new Voice of Ireland.

You can check out his performance above.

Brendan impresses on The Voice of Ireland

Local singer Brendan McCahey impressed in his blind audition on The Voice of Ireland and will go forward to the next stage of the competition – The Battle Round.

His audition, which aired on Sunday night, saw him perform David Bowie’s hit ‘Starman’.

His rendition was enough for him to turn one judge – Bressie – who revealed he knew Brendan having bought a number of guitars from him over the years during his time working in a Blackrock music store.

Now living in Shercock in Co Monaghan, Brendan has worked and gigged locally in recent years. He has previously released an album called “Strings and Soul’ and is also working on an album of covers called ‘Another Version’ featuring songs from the likes of Leonard Cohen, Roxy Music and Nina Simone.

Brendan also performs with Dundalk-based four piece rock band ‘The Making’, who played Oxygen in 2011 and supported The Flaws on a nationwide tour.

You can view Brendan’s audition above.

Sharon Corr to quit The Voice

Sharon Corr on The Voice

Sharon Corr has announced that she is leaving her role as judge on RTÉ show The Voice.

The Dundalk musician has been a part of the show for the first two seasons but told fans today that she will not be returning later this year due to her own music commitments.

All good things come to an end,”she wrote on her personal website.

“I have absolutely loved being a coach on The Voice of Ireland. What an amazing show!

“The first two seasons were quite the roller coaster ride – we took it from concept stage to the number one television program in the country and I could not be more proud.

“I am very excited to be releasing my new album The Same Sun, there are a lot of promotional activities scheduled and I am embarking on a world tour very soon, so unfortunately, I cannot be with you all this season – I wish everyone involved good luck and I look forward to seeing you all again in the future.

“P.S. I will most sincerely miss kicking Kian Egan’s ass! And nodding off to Bressie’s soliloquies – Ha!,” she joked.

The 43-year-old, who shot to fame with family act The Corrs, is currently touring and will play dates in Germany, Brazil and Indonesia in the next two months.