Young mother Roisín the cream of the crop at Newbridge Busk and Food Fair

Twenty one year old Roisín McAlinden from Newbridge showed her musical talent on Saturday last, and scooped €2,000 in prize money plus the chance to perform at this weekend’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby!.

Mother to two year old, Gracie-May, Roisín competed in Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Busk and Food Festival in Newbridge and was absolutely delighted when she was judged the overall winner.

Feeling quite emotional on hearing her name announced, Roisín said “I have just recently been accepted to a music school in Dublin but did not have the fees to pay for the course, this money now means that I can go and I'm so looking forward to it.”

Second place went to ‘Cambrian Explosion’ who won €1,000 and third went to ‘The Dingleberries’ who won 10 tickets to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. The judges included 2FM DJ, Tracy Clifford, Trisha Byrne from the Curragh Racecourse and Aileen O’Brien, from O’Brien PR, representing Dubai Duty Free.

The second only Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Busk and Food Festival to be hosted in Newbridge, the festival was a huge success with thousands descending on to the Main Street and George’s Street. Over 20 musical acts performed with 16 competing for the lucrative prize fund.

George’s Street was turned into a mini foodie village with artisan producers selling all kinds of foods from jams to noodles to ice cream. Crowds enjoyed a vibrant dance display by the Philippine community in traditional costume with Newbridge Gospel Choir, Newbridge Community Band and Stage Academy also entertaining on the day.

Fiona McLoughlin Healy, Chair of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Newbridge Busk and Food Committee said, “We are thrilled with how the day went, it was fantastic to see so many people out on the streets and considering Ireland were playing in the Euros on the same day we were delighted to still have been able to attract so many people. A huge amount of work goes into planning an event like this and I want to say a huge thanks to everyone who supported us and particularly to Dubai Duty Free for their sponsorship.”