The Second Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) talent showcase for the over 60s took place on the 25th April in the Abbey Theatre. Darkie Bolger, who won first prize is from the North Strand area. She entertained the audience with the song ‘Shoeshine Boy’.

Sean Caulfield who sang ‘Impossible Dream’ was placed second, (Sean took first place last year) and third place went to Tommy Bolger who did his rendition of ‘Martha’. Twelve contestants were selected to take part in the final contest, and six of them were from the Ringsend/ Irishtown area.

The theatre was packed to capacity and could have been filled twice over, such was the demand for tickets for this very popular event. Kevin Hough produced and presented the show and the Musical director was Andy O’Callaghan.

The Guest artist for the night was Red Hurley, who had the audience singing and dancing in their seats. Donall Curtin, a Board member of the DDDA and Chairman of the Community Liaison Committee (CLC), acted as chairman of the adjudicators panel, the other members being Austin Gaffney, Jean Costello, Brian Jackson and Jim Bartley.

I spoke to some of the adjudicating panel after the show who told me it was a very difficult choice as all the finalists were extremely talented. Each of the contestants in the final received a crystal plaque and the first prizewinner also received a prize to the value of €1,250 , second prize was €750 and third received €500.

The majority of the contestants from the Ringsend/Irishtown area, who reached the finals are members of the Ringsend Active Retirement Group. The group who meets regularly in the CYMS, Irishtown Road, were jubilant at their members’ success. Some of the contestants said they were so scared their knees were knocking, others said their legs turned to jelly as they walked on stage. I can assure them this was not visible to the audience. They all came across as very competent, professional and talented entertainers. They did themselves and their community proud. Those who succeeded in reaching the finals from the Ringsend/Irishtown area were Tommy Bolger, Sean Caulfield, Eddy Gregg, Julie McCann, Philip Murphy, and Alice Weafer.