Zara wins A.V. Factor Final

Ocean FM Presenters Margaret Carr Flynn and Gavin McDaid having just made the announcement that Zara has won the overall prize. Zara can’t believe the news!

There was a queue formed out along the side of the Diamond well ahead of time waiting to get the best seats and, when the doors opened, it was like the opening of Brown Thomas’ January sales.
Meanwhile, inside the contestants had all had their sound checks done under the careful eye of Cathal Boyle and Leslie Long. The crowd got seated and excitement buzzed in the air.
The judges for the night, Lisa Brady, Siobhain Hall and Eamon Gillespie, got themselves into position and Ocean FM’s Margaret Carr-Flynn and Gavin McDaid buzzed into action.
Southpaw was the first band on stage to tremendous applause as radio-land tuned in for a night of entertainment. Zara Montgomery was up next with her tremendous voice and stage presence. Hazard followed, with spokesman Paul Sinclair doing a great job charming Margaret with his answers. Then Fila, made up of Iarla O’Donnell and Fiachra McGinley played a mix of traditional/rock which went down well with the large crowd. Rachel Wilson, a cousin of Zara’s, did a great job with another powerful voice. The final band of the night was Materia who rocked an audience happy with their performance.
After each act the judges were called upon for a reaction - and some of the parents were interviewed also. Aurora, last years winners, were invited back to perform - and perform they did. There was a huge reaction to the boys and it was obvious how far they have come over the year.
When Brian Cunningham and Claire McMenamin arrived with the results envelopes, the crowd went wild as it learned that South Paw, Zara Montgomery and Hazard had made it to the final.
After the three got a chance to perform a different song, the text lines were closed and the crowd waited for the final count as the laptop was checked for a second time that night.
The overall and worthy winner was Zara Montgomery. Her strong voice was complemented with a confidence on stage greater than her years.
The complete event from the initial twenty-two acts down to the final was a huge success. It was not only a major fund-raiser for the Abbey Vocational School but more importantly provided a forum for students to perform and show off the great talent that exists in the school. Congratulations to all who performed in AV Factor - sponsored it - or supported it in any way. 

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Abbey Singers head for Prague

The Donegal Abbey Singers will be undertaking a “Spring Concert” of sacred music and Irish airs at Saint Patrick’s Church in Donegal Town on Friday, 30th March, at 8:30 pm
The evening will be an opportunity for the choir to showcase pieces which they will be performing in the City of Prague in early June.
The Donegal Abbey Singers have been invited by the Archbishop of Prague, via Fr Josef Cunek, to sing at the Jesuit Church in Karlovo Namesti. There is also the possibility of the singers performing at the Irish Embassy in the Czech capital.
Tickets for the “Spring Concert” at €10.00 will be available from members of the choir and at Skin Therapy at Brittons in Donegal Town. Your support would be most welcome.