It all started last March when over 30 counties hundreds of  bars and clubs RTE's Gerry Ryan Show and thousands of singers partipated in the search & mission to find the Paddy Power Bingo.com Irish Karaoke Champions to represent the country at the Karaoke World Championships in Lahti Finland .

At the Red Cow Hotel on June 3rd & 4th the cream of the crop of singers turned up to represent their counties.

First came the female final where the glitz, glamour and bling were all brought to the stage along with the best vocalists strutting their stuff to win the Irish title.

The lucky female on the night wowed the  panel of judges  with her strong vocal and  dynamic performance of Tina Turners "River Deep Moutain High". She became Irelands female representitive and her name is Elaine O'Halloran. from Limerick.

On the second evening of finals came our Male final, again the guys took to the stage giving us a wide range of entertainment from rapping to ballads - each giving everthing into their performances and all hoping to be that winner to represent Ireland in Finland.

One guy shone in the eyes of the judges and he was Sean Boland. His redition of "Walking in Memphis" was powerful and his stage prescence left the judges in no doubt he would be our male Irish Champion, from Rathfarnham, Dublin, Sean was the Gery Ryan Show representative.

Brian Ormond hosted and compered both events and his humour and professionalism gave both audiences two great nights of entertainment. Judges on the night were Anne Marie Campbell KWC Ireland, Sharon McHugh, Paddy Power, Colette Ashley KWC Ireland, Will Byrne, Paddy Power, Gerry Browne, Comedian & Music Promoter and our very own Mr. Eurovision, Micky Joe Harte.

Next it was down to business for our two newly crowned champions they had to learn and perfect five songs which they would sing at the Karaoke World Championships. Their hard work and effort paid off when we arrived in Finland on October 22nd to a lavish cocktail party, held at Lahti City Hall, hosted by KWC Finland. It was a night of singers and country partners mingling and getting to know the other contestants from over 30 countries before the competition began.

On Thursday, 23rd October, Team Ireland headed off to Lahti Hall for a day of celebration as the Grand Opening of the Karaoke World Championships commenced. The ceremony was attended by Finnish government dignataries and the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Hitoshi Honda. The evenings event featured unforgettable performances by last years KWC Champions, Australia's Julie Walter Sgro & Malaysia's Kelvin Lu Hee Wah.

There were three prestigious awards presented on the night for 5 years achievement to KWC. KWC Ireland were delighted and honoured to be included  and accepted the award on behalf of all our partners and Paddy Power who makes this  wonderful competition for the amateur singer possible.

On Friday 24th October at 9am rehersals began and off our singers went to sound checks etc. With that all done it was "SHOWTIME"  and the first to sing for Ireland was Sean Boland, a prison officer from Mountjoy, taking to the world stage and representing his country in what he loves to do... sing! And that he did with his first choice of song, his old faithful "Walking in Memphis".

With over 50 Iirish supporters the crowd went wild and the atmosphere was electric.

Then came Elaine's turn to take to the stage and our pint size dynamo strutted her stuff to her old faithful, "River Deep Mountain High" and again the Irish and other countries leapt to their feet to applaud her.

Round two of the competition came in the evening. The USA and Ireland joined tables and flags so the support was to become bigger and louder. Sean took to the stage and sang his heart out to Take Thats' "Shine" with everyone singing and dancing to his performance. Next, Elaine came and melted us with Duffy's "Warwick Avenue"  - she was pure class.

Ok now it was down to the final ten to be announced... so many great vocalists from so many countries, but euphoria filled Lathi Hall as Sean and Elaine had made it to sing in the Top Ten on Saturday. The Irish celebrated and a great night at the karaoke bar went on till the early hours.

Saurday 25th October - D Day ....We arrived to hear Sean's performance of Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years"  - again he did us proud and gave an emotional performance. Then Elaine came on with a gutsy version of Tina Turners "Proud Mary". The Irish supporters were on their feet to both performances.

Now it was down to the final five... nail-biting stuff but we would not have missed it for the world.. and YES they both made it through. Our Irish singers were now in the Top 5 karaoke singers in the world - a long road from the Red Cow back in June.

Ok last leg of this long but exciting competition was about to come to its climax and boy did we have two great singers that we were so proud of. Sean sang "Starlight" - he was supported and applauded by all the countries as the wonderful personailties he and his wife Rhona had brought to the competition made  friends thoughout the competition with singers and supporters from all the other countries.

Then Elaine turned the heat on as she sung and danced her way through Shakira's "Objection (Tango)". It was a showstopping performance.

The final three were now called to the stage. Sean finished in 4th place, we are so proud of him - he rocked, and was a credit to Ireland - we thank you for being the nice guy that everyone loved and had time for and know that his singing career has only just begun.

Elaine had made it to the top three and it was down to Sweden, France and Ireland , She sung her last song beautifully - an Olivia Newton John classic from the film Grease, "Hoplessly Devoted To You". She was wonderful. Results time ...3rd place ... Sweden - we held our breath then we heard 2nd place... Ireland. We were so proud of our little dynamo and she really deserved it !!!  

We would like to Thank Sean Boland and Elaine O'Halloran, who represented Ireland with pride, enthusiasm, and what the Irish are known for all over the world - Talent and Friendship.

Good luck in your music careers...