Glór Tíre journey just the beginning for Derry sensation Marty Breslin

Marty Breslin may not have made it to the Glór Tíre Semi-Finals, but his run on the most prestigious Country Music show in Ireland has given him an experience he is determined to build upon.

On last night’s show, broadcast on Irish language station TG4, Marty certainly did Derry city and county proud with his lively take on ‘Tuam Beat’. Written by Co Galway songwriter Padraig Stevens, the song has also been covered by Christy Moore and Michael English.

Marty, along with fellow Northern Irish contestants, Maeve Farrell and Jordan McPolin from Co Down and Ryan Lynch from Tyrone, were competing for the last Semi-Final place on Glór Tíre. In the end, Marty lost out to Jordan, who is the sole remaining Northern Irish contestant in this year’s competition.

Glór Tíre is regarded as the most prestigious platform on Irish television for emerging and established Country Music artists, and is one of the few programmes produced in the Republic of Ireland that enjoys a dedicated audience in Northern Ireland.

For Marty, the experience of just being on the show has been of enormous benefit, raising his profile and encouraging him to take his emerging Country career to the next level.

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“My dream was to get on Glór Tire,” he says. “It's an experience which has been amazing. It's gonna stay with me. I got great support from so many people across Derry and Donegal, and I hope I did them proud. Glór Tíre is a platform where I was able to showcase my voice on national television.

“I now want to push on a wee bit more with the music, start playing more venues, social dances, concerts, and show more of what I am like. And I know it won't end, it'll continue on regardless, as I believe if I keep pushing and pushing, I'm gonna move forward.”