CLARE QUINN, a 14-year-old from Renmore, has won the National All Ireland Schools Talent Final, which took place recently in Limerick Concert Hall.
Clare was one of the 10 finalists from an original entry of more than 1,200 students from across Ireland.
Although the competition was strong, and acts ranged across the genres - trad, rock, musical theatre - Clare came out the winner for her delivery of Ennio Morricone’s ‘Nella Fantasia’, from the film The Mission, and attracted glowing comments from the panel of judges. The final was televised on TV3.
Clare, who has been singing at weddings and funerals, in nursing homes and community functions, around Galway city and county, was representing her school, the Dominican College, Taylor’s Hill. School principal Alan Kinsella said, “We are so proud of Clare and her achievement in winning this All-Ireland final, which we hope will be a further platform for her to advance her incredible talent.”
Clare’s music teacher at Taylor’s Hill, Marie Kerrigan, said, “It is a wonderful achievement and it was wonderful to be there on the night to share the moment with Clare and her family”.
Her voice teacher Michel Durham said he could not “stop smiling”, and added: “Clare has worked so hard and is proof that hard work pays off and I am very proud of her achievements.”
Anne Flaherty, the music teacher in Clare’s junior school, Scoil Caitriona, said, “I remember the first time I heard this shy little girl sing, I knew then she was something special. I remember with joy her singing ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘Panis Angelicus’. She has gone from strength to strength since then and deserves every bit of her success.”
