The All Ireland Talent Show (series 3)
# The All Ireland Talent Show (series 3)

A third season and final was announced in August 2010. The first show was broadcast on 21 August 2010. The third series aired on RTÉ One, it was hosted by Gráinne Seoige. This series was produced by Tyrone Productions.

Once again prize money of €50,000 was awarded to the eventual winner of the show; who was Daniel Furlong, with Bláthnaid the winning judge. The result also marked the third time a child act won the show, following The Mulkerrin Brothers and Chloe Coyle in the previous two series'.

This was the final series. The All Ireland Talent Show was replaced by The Voice of Ireland, a part of The Voice TV series.

## Personnel

### Presenters

Gráinne Seoige returned as presenter in her only role on the channel. Aidan Power & Dustin returned to present The All Ireland Talent Show Backstage on RTÉ Two

### Judges

Original Dublin judge, Shane Lynch announced his departure from the show. Amanda Brunker took his place. The judges for this series are: Amanda Brunker (Dublin), 1970 Eurovision Song Contest winner and conservative politician Dana (North), broadcaster John Creedon (South), television presenter and Irish language enthusiast Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh (East) and television personality and weather forecaster Dáithí Ó Sé (West). Backstage presenter Aidan Power filled in for Bláthnaid during the heat six results show as she was ill.

## Auditions

| Audition City | Date | Venue | Head Judge | Advisors |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Dublin | 21 August | Griffith Conference Centre | Amanda Brunker | Shane Lynch & Larry Gogan |
| Cork | 28 August | The Clarion Hotel | John Creedon | Emma O'Driscoll & Joe O'Shea |
| Galway | 4 September | The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa | Dáithí Ó Sé | Síle Seoige & Pádraic Breathnach |
| Derry | 11 September | The Everglades Hotel | Dana | Joe Lindsay & Majella O'Donnell |
| Kilkenny | 18 September | The Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel | Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh | Cormac Battle & Brenda Donahue |

### West Auditions

Head judge: Dáithí Ó Sé Assistant judges:

Síle Seoige & Pádraic Breathnach Final eight: Aoife and Paul Moroney Karate Pencil Case Jacks Angels Sean Nós ar an tSionnan Cosa Beoga Richard Cunningham Politically Correct Don Stiffe

### East Auditions

Head judge: Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh Assistant judges: Cormac Battle & Brenda Donahue Final eight: Jackson 3 Lil' Dukebox Daniel Furlong The Myth Claire Mulholland Arlene Caffrey Feverfelt Bernadette Spain

### Dublin Auditions

Head judge: Amanda Brunker Assistant judges: Shane Lynch and Larry Gogan Final eight: Kyle Kennedy Anthony White Wallis Hamilton Dan Dennehy Owen Gerrard Shauna Buckingham Must Try D 'N' D Síle Keogh

### South Auditions

Head judge: John Creedon Assistant judges: Emma O'Driscoll & Joe O'Shea Final eight: Seamus & Tomas Halo Johnny Mack Mad 4 Road Darragh Merrit Fitzy Chicks 2 Day Nation Shane Doonan

### North Auditions

Head judge: Dana Assistant judges: Joe Lindsay & Majella O'Donnell Final eight: The Virginia Gospel Choir Áine Hassan Fox 'N' Crew Louise Florence Brian Sheerin The Ward Sisters Maggie Ferris Jim Devine

## Live Heats

Each heat five contestants would take the stage. One representing each judge and region of Ireland. The judges would score an act after their performance and then the act with the highest score would gain 5 points and the second highest scoring act would gain 4 points etc. The same would be done with the public vote. The scores would then be added and the act with the most combined score would gain first place and advance to the semi-finals.(In the event of a tie the act with the most viewer votes would take higher ranking.) From the 2nd and 3rd placed acts the judges would choose an act to send through to the wildcard show.

### Contestants

| Key | Winner | Runner-up | Third Place | Finalist | Semi-finalist | Wildcard | Quarter-finalist (lost judges vote) |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Name of act | Mentor | Region | Heat | Semi | Position reached |
| 2 Day Nation | John Creedon | South | 8 | 2 | Semi-finalist |
| Áine Hassan | Dana | North | 5 | N/A | Quarter-finalist. Eliminated in judges vote |
| Anthony White | Amanda Brunker | Dublin | 2 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Aoife and Paul Moroney | Dáithí Ó Sé | West | 6 | N/A | Quarter-finalist. Eliminated in judges vote |
| Arlene Caffrey | Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh | East | 1 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Bernadette Spain | Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh | East | 2 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Brian Sheerin | Dana | North | 4 | 1 | Finalist |
| Claire Mulholland | Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh | East | 8 | N/A | Wildcard Show |
| Cosa Beoga | Dáithí Ó Sé | West | 5 | 1 | Finalist |
| Daniel Dennehy | Amanda Brunker | Dublin | 8 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Daniel Furlong | Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh | East | 7 | 2 | Winner |
| Darragh Merrit | John Creedon | South | 4 | N/A | Wildcard Show |
| Don Stiffe | Dáithí Ó Sé | West | 3 | N/A | Runner-up |
| Feverfelt | Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh | East | 6 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Fitzy Chicks | John Creedon | South | 2 | 1 | Semi-finalist |
| Fox'N'Crew | Dana | North | 6 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Halo | John Creedon | South | 7 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Jack's Angels | Dáithí Ó Sé | West | 4 | N/A | Quarter-finalist. Eliminated in judges vote |
| Jackson 3 | Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh | East | 4 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Jim Devine | Dana | North | 7 | N/A | Quarter-finalist. Eliminated in judges vote |
| Johnny Mack | John Creedon | South | 1 | N/A | Quarter-finalist. Eliminated in judges vote |
| Karate Pencil Case | Dáithí Ó Sé | West | 2 | N/A | Wildcard Show |
| Kyle Kennedy | Amanda Brunker | Dublin | 5 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Lil' Dukebox | Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh | East | 5 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Louise Florence | Dana | North | 2 | N/A | Quarter-finalist. Eliminated in judges vote |
| Mad 4 Road | John Creedon | South | 6 | 2 | Third Place |
| Maggie Ferris | Dana | North | 8 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Must Try D'n'D | Amanda Brunker | Dublin | 7 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| The Myth | Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh | East | 3 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Owen Gerrard | Amanda Brunker | Dublin | 1 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Politically Correct | Dáithí Ó Sé | West | 7 | 2 | Semi-finalist |
| Richard Cunningham | Dáithí Ó Sé | West | 8 | N/A | Quarter-finalist. Eliminated in judges vote |
| Seamus & Tomas | John Creedon | South | 3 | N/A | Quarter-finalist. Eliminated in judges vote |
| Sean Nós ar an tSionann | Dáithí Ó Sé | West | 1 | 2 | Finalist |
| Shane Doonan | John Creedon | South | 5 | N/A | Wildcard Show |
| Shauna Buckingham | Amanda Brunker | Dublin | 6 | 1 | Semi-finalist |
| Síle Keogh | Amanda Brunker | Dublin | 4 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |
| Virginia Gospel Choir | Dana | North | 1 | N/A | Wildcard Show |
| Wallis | Amanda Brunker | Dublin | 3 | N/A | Wildcard Show |
| The Ward Sisters | Dana | North | 3 | N/A | Quarter-finalist |

### Live Heats summary

| Key | The act came in first place. Advanced to the semi-finals. | The act came in first place. Advanced to the semi-finals. | Finished in either second or third place. Won the judges' vote & advanced to wildcard show. | Finished in either second or third place. Won the judges' vote & advanced to wildcard show. | Finished in either second or third place. Lost the judges' vote & was eliminated. |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Key | - Representing the North Mentored by Dana | - Representing the South Mentored by John Creedon | - Representing the West Mentored by Dáithí O'Sé | - Representing Dublin Mentored by Amanda Brunker | - Representing the East Mentored by Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh |

**Heat 1 (31 December)**

| Contestants | Order | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Contestants | Order | Amanda | John | Dana | Dáithí | Bláthnaid | Total | Ranking | Result |
| Virginia Gospel Choir | 1 | 9 | 7 | - | 8 | 7 | 31 | Joint 1st | 2nd/3rd:Won judges wildcard vote |
| Johnny Mack | 2 | 8 | - | 7 | 9 | 7 | 31 | Joint 1st | 2nd/3rd:Lost judges wildcard vote |
| Sean Nós ar an tSionann | 3 | 6 | 6 | 7 | - | 9 | 28 | 3rd | 1st:Through to semi-final |
| Owen Gerrard | 4 | - | 5 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 26 | 5th | 4th:Eliminated |
| Arlene Caffrey | 5 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 8 | - | 27 | 4th | 5th:Eliminated |

**Heat 1 (31 December)**

**Judges' votes to send through to the wildcard show**

* Amanda Brunker: The Virginia Gospel Choir
* Dáithí Ó Sé: Johnny Mack
* Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh: Virginia Gospel Choir

The Virginia Gospel Choir were sent to the wildcard show with 2-1 majority.

**Heat 2 (9 January)**

| Contestants | Order | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Contestants | Order | Amanda | John | Dana | Dáithí | Bláthnaid | Total | Ranking | Result |
| Bernadette Spain | 1 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | - | 33 | Joint 1st | 4th:Eliminated |
| Anthony White | 2 | - | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 31 | Joint 3rd | 5th:Eliminated |
| Karate Pencil Case | 3 | 9 | 7 | 7 | - | 8 | 31 | Joint 3rd | 2nd/3rd:Won judges wildcard vote |
| Louise Florence | 4 | 7 | 8 | - | 9 | 7 | 31 | Joint 3rd | 2nd/3rd:Lost judges wildcard vote |
| Fitzy Chicks | 5 | 8 | - | 8 | 10 | 7 | 33 | Joint 1st | 1st:Through to semi-final |

**Heat 2 (9 January)**

**Judges' votes to send through to the wildcard show**

* Amanda Brunker: Karate Pencil Case
* John Creedon: Louise Florence
* Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh: Karate Pencil Case

Karate Pencil Case were sent to the wildcard show with 2-1 majority.

**Heat 3 (16 January)**

Guest Performer: Tommy Fleming

| Contestants | Order | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Contestants | Order | Amanda | John | Dana | Dáithí | Bláthnaid | Total | Ranking | Result |
| Don Stiffe | 1 | 8 | 9 | 9 | - | 7 | 33 | Joint 2nd | 1st:Through to semi-final |
| Séamus & Tomás | 2 | 7 | - | 7 | 7 | 8 | 29 | 4th | 2nd/3rd:Lost judges wildcard vote |
| The Ward Sisters | 3 | 7 | 7 | - | 7 | 6 | 27 | 5th | 5th:Eliminated |
| Wallis Hamilton | 4 | - | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 33 | Joint 2nd | 2nd/3rd:Won judges wildcard vote |
| The Myth | 5 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | - | 34 | 1st | 4th:eliminated |

**Heat 3 (16 January)**

**Judges' votes to send through to the wildcard show**

* Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh: Wallis Hamilton
* Dáithí Ó Sé: Wallis Hamilton
* Dana: was not required to vote as there was already a majority

Wallis Hamilton was sent to the wildcard show with 2-0 majority.

**Heat 4 (23 January)**

Guest Performer: The High Kings

| Contestants | Order | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Contestants | Order | Amanda | John | Dana | Dáithí | Bláthnaid | Total | Ranking | Result |
| Brian Sheerin | 1 | 10 | 7 | - | 9 | 8 | 34 | 2nd | 1st:Through to semi-final |
| Jack's Angels | 2 | 7 | 6 | 7 | - | 7 | 27 | 5th | 2nd/3rd: Lost judges wildcard vote |
| Jackson 3 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | - | 29 | 4th | 5th:Eliminated |
| Síle Keogh | 4 | - | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 30 | 3rd | 4th:Eliminated |
| Darragh Merritt | 5 | 9 | - | 10 | 9 | 9 | 37 | 1st | 2nd/3rd:Won judges wildcard vote |

**Heat 4 (23 January)**

**Judges' votes to send through to the wildcard show**

* Amanda Brunker: Darragh Merritt
* Dana: Darragh Merritt
* Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh: was not required to vote as there was already a majority

Darragh Merritt was sent to the wildcard show with 2-0 majority

**Heat 5 (30 January)**

Guest Performer: Imelda May

| Contestants | Order | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Contestants | Order | Amanda | John | Dana | Dáithí | Bláthnaid | Total | Ranking | Result |
| Kyle Kennedy | 1 | - | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 36 | 1st | 4th:Eliminated |
| Áine Hassin | 2 | 9 | 8 | - | 8 | 10 | 35 | Joint 2nd | 2nd/3rd: Lost judges vote |
| Cosa Beoga | 3 | 7 | 9 | 10 | - | 8 | 34 | 4th | 1st:Through to semi-final |
| Shane Doonan | 4 | 8 | - | 7 | 10 | 10 | 35 | Joint 2nd | 2nd/3rd:Won judges wildcard vote |
| Lil' Dukebox | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | - | 27 | 5th | 5th:Eliminated |

**Heat 5 (30 January)**

**Judges' votes to send through to the wildcard show**

* Amanda Brunker: Aine Hassin
* Dáithí Ó Sé: Shane Doonan
* Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh: Shane Doonan - initially refused to vote and wanted to revert to the public vote, as she had given both acts the same score. However she was told this was not an option and voted.

Shane Doonan was sent to the wildcard show with 2-1 majority.

**Heat 6 (6 February)**

Guest Performer: Shayne Ward Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh was present for the first show but was not present for the results show as she was ill. Backstage presenter Aidan Power filled in for her.

| Contestants | Order | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Contestants | Order | Amanda | John | Dana | Dáithí | Bláthnaid (Power) | Total | Ranking | Result |
| Mad 4 Road | 1 | 9 | - | 8 | 10 | 8 | 35 | Joint 1st | 1st:Through to semi-final |
| Shauna Buckingham | 2 | - | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 35 | Joint 1st | 2nd/3rd:Won judges wildcard vote |
| Fever Felt | 3 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | - | 32 | 3rd | 5th:Eliminated |
| Fox 'N' Crew | 4 | 8 | 7 | - | 8 | 7 | 30 | 4th | 4th:Eliminated |
| Aoife and Paul Moroney | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | - | 7 | 29 | 5th | 2nd/3rd: Lost judges wildcard vote |

**Heat 6 (6 February)**

**Judges' votes to send through to the wildcard show**

* John Creedon:Shauna Buckingham
* Dana: Shauna Buckingham
* Aidan Power: was not required to vote as there was already a majority

Shauna Buckingham was sent to the wildcard show with 2-0 majority

**Heat 7 (13 February)**

Guest Performer: Majella O'Donnell featuring Daniel O'Donnell

| Contestants | Order | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Contestants | Order | Amanda | John | Dana | Dáithí | Bláthnaid | Total | Ranking | Result |
| Daniel Furlong | 1 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | - | 35 | 1st | 2nd/3rd:Won judges wildcard vote |
| Halo | 2 | 8 | - | 7 | 8 | 7 | 30 | 5th | 5th:Eliminated |
| Politically Correct | 3 | 8 | 9 | 9 | - | 8 | 34 | 2nd | 1st:Through to semi-final |
| Must Try D'n'D | 4 | - | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 33 | 3rd | 4th:Eliminated |
| Jim Devine | 5 | 8 | 8 | - | 9 | 7 | 32 | 4th | 2nd/3rd: Lost judges wildcard vote |

**Heat 7 (13 February)**

**Judges' votes to send through to the wildcard show**

* Amanda Brunker: Daniel Furlong
* John Creedon: Daniel Furlong
* Dáithí O'Sé : was not required to vote as there was already a majority

Daniel Furlong was sent to the wildcard show with 2-0 majority

**Heat 8 (20 February)**

Guest Performer: Frankie Gavin with De Dannan

| Contestants | Order | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Contestants | Order | Amanda | John | Dana | Dáithí | Bláthnaid | Total | Ranking | Result |
| Maggie Ferris | 1 | 8 | 7 | - | 8 | 6 | 29 | 4th | 4th:Eliminated |
| 2 Day Nation | 2 | 10 | - | 9 | 10 | 10 | 39 | 1st | 1st:Through to semi-final |
| Richard Cunningham | 3 | 6 | 7 | 6 | - | 7 | 26 | 5th | 2nd/3rd: Lost judges wildcard vote |
| Daniel Dennehy | 4 | - | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 34 | 3rd | 5th:Eliminated |
| Claire Mulholland | 5 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | - | 35 | 2nd | 2nd/3rd:Won judges wildcard vote |

**Heat 8 (20 February)**

**Judges' votes to send through to the wildcard show**

* Dana: Claire Mulholland
* Amanda Brunker: Claire Mulholland
* John Creedon:was not required to vote as there was already a majority

Claire Mulholland was sent to the wildcard show with 2-0 majority

2 Day Nation received the highest judges vote in the three-year history of the show.

**Wildcard Heat (27 February)**

Guest Performer: Miracle Bell

| Contestants | Order | Result |
| - | - | - |
| Daniel Furlong | 1 | Top 2: Through to semi-final |
| Daragh Merritt | 2 | 8th: Eliminated |
| Wallis | 3 | 7th: Eliminated |
| Virginia Gospel Choir | 4 | 3rd: Eliminated |
| Karate Pencil Case | 5 | 4th: Eliminated |
| Claire Mulholland | 6 | 5th: Eliminated |
| Shane Doonan | 7 | 6th: Eliminated |
| Shauna Buckingham | 8 | Top 2: Through to semi-final |

## Semi-finals

### Semi-final 1 (6 March)

Guest Performer: Sharon Shannon

| Order | Contestant | Act | Mentor (Region) | Place | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Cosa Beoga | Sean-Ós Dancers | Dáithí Ó Sé (West) | 2nd | Through to final |
| 2 | Fitzy Chicks | Singing Duo | John Creedon (South) | 5th | Eliminated |
| 3 | Don Stiffe | Classical Singer | Dáithí Ó Sé (West) | 1st | Through to final |
| 4 | Shauna Buckingham | Opera Singer | Amanda Brunker (Dublin) | 4th | Eliminated |
| 5 | Brian Sheerin | Singer | Dana (North) | 3rd | Through to final |

### Semi-final 2 (13 March)

Guest Performer: The Wanted

| Order | Contestant | Act | Mentor (Region) | Place | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Mad 4 Road | Band | John Creedon (South) | 1st | Through to final |
| 2 | Politically Correct | Opera Singing Duo | Dáithí Ó Sé (West) | 4th | Eliminated |
| 3 | 2 Day Nation | Band | John Creedon (South) | 5th | Eliminated |
| 4 | Daniel Furlong | Opera Singer | Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh (East) | 2nd | Through to final |
| 5 | Sean Nós ar an tSionann | Sean-Ós Dancers | Dáithí Ó Sé (West) | 3rd | Through to final |

## Final (20 March)

Guest Performer: Olly Murs

### Final Six

For the first time in the history of The All Ireland Talent Show the final had two stages. During the first show all six finalists performed and lines opened after the last act performed.

| Order | Contestant | Act | Mentor (Region) | Place | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Don Stiffe | Classical Singer | Dáithí Ó Sé (West) | 2nd | Safe |
| 2 | Mad 4 Road | Band | John Creedon (South) | 3rd | Safe |
| 3 | Cosa Beoga | Sean-Ós Dancers | Dáithí Ó Sé (West) | 4th | Eliminated |
| 4 | Brian Sheerin | Singer | Dana (North) | 5th | Eliminated |
| 5 | Sean Nós ar an tSionann | Sean-Ós Dancers | Dáithí Ó Sé (West) | 6th | Eliminated |
| 6 | Daniel Furlong | Opera Singer | Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh (East) | 1st | Safe |

### Final Showdown

At the start of the results show the lines were frozen and the three least popular acts were eliminated. The lines then re-opened with all votes cast earlier still counting. The three remaining acts performed again performing a shorter version of the songs they sang in the live heats.

| Order | Contestant | Act | Mentor (Region) | Place | Place |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Daniel Furlong | Opera Singer | Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh (East) | Winner | Winner |
| 2 | Mad 4 Road | Band | John Creedon (South) | Third Place | Third Place |
| 3 | Don Stiffe | Classical Singer | Dáithí Ó Sé (West) | Runner-up | Runner-up |
