Kilkenny woman Shona Lanigan dazzled judges at The Stars of our Bars National Final, on Saturday night and landed herself the top prize of €7,500.
However Shona’s victory was somewhat marred by the news that her beloved grandmother passed away while Shona took to the stage on the night. The bubbly teenager distraught at the news of the loss of her grandmother went on to show tremendous courage as she scooped the winning title. Speaking to the Kilkenny Advertiser this week Shona talked about her whirlwind weekend.
“It was really a shock and I didn’t expect to win, I was delighted but unfortunately my granny passed away while I was on stage which was really sad.”
The singing sensation recalls how she got involved in the competition.
“I noticed posters around town and I thought it looked like fun and I signed up for it at the Kilford Arms.”
Shona who was the youngest finalist on the night has been performing since the tender age of eight in theatre. She hopes to fulfil her dreams and further a career in music in the foreseeable future. She has just completed her Leaving Certificate at the Presentation Secondary School in Kilkenny, and is now hopeful that her results, which are imminent, will lead to a full time career in music.
“I have just finished my Leaving Cert and I’m hoping to go on and study music at college, music is really all I want to do and I hope I get the points for my course as I love being on stage.”
It was hard for the Kilkenny songstress to hear of her grandmother’s death while performing. However, clearly it didn’t affect her singing ability.
“It was a shock for all our family even though my granny was sick for a while, we didn’t expect her to pass away and we travelled home immediately after the results. But I do plan on celebrating the win in the near future.”
The 18-year old whole-heatedly earned herself the top prize of €7,500 and already has made some plans as to how she might spend it.
“I’d like to put some of my prize money towards the funeral costs for my granny, as it really feels right. I’m sure I’ll get out shopping at some stage too. I’ll celebrate the win soon enough but at the moment I am at home helping with the funeral arrangements.”
And who knows what’s around the corner for this talented Kilkenny teenager who wowed the judges on Saturday.
Judges on the night included TV director David Donaghy, former Rose of Tralee winner Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain and TV3’s Elaine Crowley, all of whom had the unenviable task of choosing the winner, with only four votes between the top six acts on the night.
“At the finale, no one got criticism and there wasn’t any comments passed by the judges, although it was a very close call between the top acts. But everyone was behind each other, even though it was a competition it didn’t feel like it,” said Shona.
