Kathleen Parkes (pictured right with Niall Quinn) from Ballybough in the Dublin Docklands hinterland was the winner of the fifth Docklands Seniors Talent Showcase 2008 at the Abbey Theatre.

Celebrating her 81st birthday, Kathleen sang ‘All the lies’ and did a ‘Christy’ recitation as made famous by her heroine Maureen Potter. Kathleen won a €1,000 travel voucher.

The distinguished panel of judges included RTE’s Aonghus McAnally; 2FM’s Larry Gogan; renowned actress Geraldine Plunkett; singer Sandy Kelly and Niamh OíSullivan, Board Member, Docklands Authority.

Additional entertainment was provided by special guest artist Rebecca Storm while the judges deliberated.
The fourteen accomplished finalists and their song of choice was as follows:

Paddy Behan– ‘Hello Dolly’
Philip Murphy– ‘Some Enchanted Evening’
Teresa Carroll– ‘Only You’
Leo Lawlor– ‘For The Good Times’ (Second Place)
Sean Caulfield– ‘Lover Come Back To Me’
Jenny O’Brien– ‘Fields Of Athenry’
Hubert Gannon– ‘On The Street Where You Live’
Michael Fox– ‘After All These Years’
Kathleen Parkes– ‘All The Lies’/ Christy gags (First Place)
Tommy Seery– ‘Scorn Not His Simplicity’
Fran Lacey– ‘Don’t Laugh At Me’
Maureen Breen– ‘This Is My Song’
Mike Scott– ‘Lady Of Spain’
Paddy Hewitt– ‘My Way’ (Third Place)