Last year 12 counties throughout Ireland participated in the Irish Karaoke Championships, including Donegal, Dublin, Tipperary, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford, Laois, Kilkenny, Carlow, Cork, Wexford and Kildare thousands of singers all over Ireland took part and the Grand Final was held on June 6th in the Redcow Inn, Dublin, where the two Irish champions were crowned.

On the afternoon of July 27th, 2004, twenty two Irish, along with Kathleen Lynch, our local T.D., arrived in Heinola, Finland, to be met with a very warm welcome from the Hujanen Family and the Finnish people. We had two representitives from Ireland, Shirley Lowther, from Cork, and David O'Connor, from Wexford. They both did us proud and excelled in their performances on stage. Their supporters also brought a great atmosphere with them as did the Finnish people and contestants from around the globe!!

The shows each evening were full of talent and entertainment and as it got nearer to the Grand Final the tension and excitment mounted, until, out of 70 singers, we were down to the final 20 and Shirley and David were among that twenty ... There was euphora among the Irish camp!! Wow they did brilliantly. Next came the final 10 singers Shirley had made it to that stage and David O'Connor, his family and supporters gave her their willing support and enthusiasm.

Next came the results - Shirley had came 2nd. The Irish were celebrating and the beer was flowing - this was our first year and both Shirley and David did us proud!!!

Congratulations to Thomas Strubler, from Austria and Samantha Sayer, from Lebonan, who became the 2004 World Karaoke Champions!

For the Irish it was back to Cronins Irish Hotel (run by our friends Stephen and Marika Cronin, who made our stay a memorable one) to celebrate !!!!
Looking forward to returning in 2005 with Team Ireland!!!!