The karaoke competition in aid of Ballycotton lifeboat moved to Whitegate last weekend when The Long Point Bar held their heat on 9 July.

Several customers suggested to organisers that staff member Laura Franks should sing a song but the shy bar worker was quite happy to support the other singers.  However, her friends had other ideas!  Laura was surprised when her name was called out.  Her rendition of “Summer of 69” proved a winner.  Kevin O’Neill sang a unique version of Unchained Melody to all the women present and was invited to perform it again during the interval at the Grand Final.  At the end of a very enjoyable evening the contestants for the Long Point Bar were announced as Laura Franks and Pat O’Sullivan.

The competition moves to Wallis’ Bar, Midleton, next Friday, 16 July.  This is the second and last visit to Midleton before the Grand Final.  Seamus is very keen that his pub will be well represented in Garryvoe Hotel on 30 July and was making his preparations for their heat a week in advance.  The following night, Saturday, 17 July, the competition visits Ballycotton again at The Schooner Bar.  Brid and Mike are lining up their singers and hope to throw down the gauntlet to the other businesses participating in the competition.

With only a few weeks to go there will be one last visit to Whitegate when the heat at the Schooner Bar takes place on Saturday 24 July.  On Sunday 25 July it will be back to the Inn by the Harbour, Ballycotton with the final heat of the competition taking place at the Blackbird, Ballycotton, on Thursday 29 July.

With a prize fund of €1,500 singers who have not yet succeeded in qualifying for the final are reminded that their opportunities are getting fewer.  Supporters of Ballycotton lifeboat and contestants already qualified are looking forward to the bank holiday weekend and Garryvoe Hotel on the Friday night in particular.

Ballycotton lifeboat inter-pub karaoke competition

Waves Café and Wine Bar hosted the penultimate heat for June in the Ballycotton lifeboat inter-pub karaoke competition on Friday, 25th last.  Waves’ management worked all day to have their roof top seating area ready for supporters looking to take a break from the competition.  An enjoyable evening was had by all with Lorraine Tattan and Anne Marie Perry proving the winners on the night.

Saturday night, 26 June, it was the turn of Lower Aghada to show what competition means to them.  Rosie’s Bar held the last heat of the month and passing motorists were reminded of the event by the big sign erected across the road.  Sinead Dempsey, who goes angling in Ballycotton every Thursday with Jacko’s Angling Club, sang her heart out and will join Ger and Tina to represent Rosie’s Bar in the Grand Final.

Heats for the month of July will start at Harty’s Bar, Cloyne on Friday 2 July.  This will be the last opportunity for Cloyne participants to qualify for the final.  The following night, Saturday, 3 July, the competition goes to The Goalpost Bar, Shanagarry with just one heat the following weekend at The Long Point, Whitegate, on Friday 9 July.

If June was anything to go by, the event organisers are looking forward to a busy and exciting July.  There are still a total of eight heats left in various locations throughout East Cork and singers are reminded that the prize fund is €1,500.  It is definitely worth throwing your hat into the ring and remember this is helping to raise funds for Ballycotton lifeboat.