Glór-y days beckon for Brid

It's been a remarkable month for Longford singing sensation Bríd Shaughnessy. Brid is one of eight contestants taking part in Season 19 of the long running TG4 music series, Glór Tíre, which began on back Tuesday, January 10.

Brid is now on the cusp of becoming Ireland’s next Country Music star as she compete for a place in the Grand Final of TG4’s long running hit music series.

The Glór Tíre semi-final will be broadcast live on TG4 on Tuesday February 14 at 9.30pm. It will see Seán Fahy, singer from Belmullet, Mayo, Noel Boland, singer-songwriter from Blessington, Wicklow, Molly O’Connell, singer from Kilcommon, Tipperary, Bríd Shaughnessy, singer-songwriter from Longford, and Tex Deegan, singer from Caherconlish, Limerick compete fore a chance to go into the Grand Final.

Two will make it through on the public vote, while the third will be saved by the Judges vote.

Longford’s Brid Shaughnessy is well known locally for her singing talent: “Glór Tíre is an important platform for newcomers like me,” she told the Leader.

While she might be a ‘newcomer’ on the Country scene, Brid already has some two decades worth of experience as a performer under her belt.

Indeed Country & Irish was the soundtrack to life in the Shaughnessy family: “I like contemporary country, but I love traditional country. I grew up listening to Sandy Kelly, Louise Morrisssey, and Susan McCann. The first record I ever got was by Margo. It’s treasured. I had a huge mix of records and they ranged from Connie Francis to Larry Cunningham to Big Tom.”

Brid is working with one of the biggest names in Country & Irish music - Mike Denver - who is her mentor while she is a contestant on Glór Tíre: “It’s incredible,” she says. “He’s been a huge amount of support. To me he is a star, so to be performing with Mike and his band is a bit surreal. It’s a dream come true. It is a wonderful experience. I have gotten to meet so many new people out of it. ”

The Longford singer says the artists to reach the semi-final are of a very high standard: “It's a competition, but they are lovely. They are all different types of artists. Each person has they own individual style and sound.”

The exposure from participatign in Glór Tíre has many benefits. “The plan is to get a few songs released that I have written myself. I want to build on that an progress my music career.”

Bríd is hoping the people of Longford will get behind her for the Public Vote that will take her through to the Grand Final on February 21.

The semi-final will be broadcast live on TG4 on Tuesday February 14 at 9.30pm. The Grand Final of Glór Tíre takes place on Tuesday February 21 at 9.30pm.