‘Dream come true’ - Mayo student wins ‘Ireland’s Next Big Busker’

A Mayo student has been crowned as ‘Ireland’s Next Big Busker’ by the people of Ireland on national radio.

Killala native Joanne Gallagher was voted for in the national award on Today FM. The talented musician was crowned live on air, with Matt Cooper revealing the winners on Thursday’s edition of ‘The Last Word’.

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On the show, Ms Gallagher’s musical skills were broadcast to the nation when the show played her cover of the Post Malone and Taylor Swift hit, ‘Fortnight’.

Ms Gallagher was one of five nominated for the competition, which aims to raise money for the Big Busk for Focus Ireland, and represented the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show.

Her votes also raised €3,300 for the charity for homelessness.

As part of her prize, the Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina student will travel to the radio station’s studio to record a single with in-house producers, as well as playing at iconic Dublin venue Whelan’s this evening as part of the ‘Block-Rockin’ Beats’ show.

Expressing her delight on her win, Joanne thanked everyone who voted for her over the course of the week, ‘especially in Mayo’, and also described the experience as ‘a dream come true’.

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Ms Gallagher, aged 18, has busked in Mayo for many years now and has spent the last six years writing music. Her new song, ‘Bye’, is scheduled for release on March 14, one year after her most recent release, ‘In My Head’.