Olywn Murray ready to take centre stage on RTÉ talent show

Olywn ready to take centre stage


Michael Commins

NO doubt at all about what will be the most watched television show around the Ballyhaunis region next Sunday evening …. it most certainly will be the All-Ireland Talent Show on RTE 1. Local girl Olwyn Murray is one of the five contestants in the second semi-final of the series and she is hoping to make it through to the grand final.
It has been a hectic few months for the Leaving Cert student from the town. Some weeks ago, she played one of the lead roles in the Ballyhaunis Community School presentation of the musical ‘Grease’. And she has progressed steadily in the All-Ireland Talent Show to the stage that she is close to securing a spot in the last six.
On Sunday evening, she will perform the Leona Lewis song, ‘A Moment Like This’, and she is hoping that her performance will be enough to attract sufficient votes to see her through on the night. Three of the five acts will be chosen by the phone-in vote to advance to the grand final.
“There is a huge build up around the place this week,” said her mother Breda. “Everyone has been brilliant and the amount of good wishes and words of encouragement are incredible. Lavinia Slater-Gilmartin is doing a great job getting her ready for the big show. Olwyn was out in Coney Island in Gorthaganny on Friday night for the special fundraiser for the Autism Association and the goodwill there was so encouraging from everyone.
“The producers of the show choose the dress so that is going to be a complete surprise. The show goes out between 6.30 and 7.30pm and the voting continues until around 8.45pm. The results show is then aired between 8.30pm and 9pm and that’s when we’ll know how she has got on.
“The support has been brilliant and the campaign team have spared no effort in attracting the widest possible support for Olwyn. They have worked so hard and we are deeply grateful to them and to everyone who has voted for her and lent support in any way. We are asking for big support again on Sunday night.”