Youghal’s Walter Raleigh Hotel was packed to the rafters when the Sacred Roots Y Factor final was held amidst huge excitement and expectation.   The competition commenced on December 18th when thirty acts auditioned in the Hot Spot Youth Centre, Youghal for a chance to perform in the Y Factor Talent Show 2011 final, and the talent on the night was outstanding.   Despite the difficulty of the judges in choosing the twelve finalists, those picked to go forward were certainly some of the most talented young performers one is ever likely to see.   Sacred Roots invited CRY Fm’s Jane Holly Show along to host the event, which was a very popular decision.

The twelve finalists included six aged under fourteen years and six aged between 15 and 18 years, and the judges had the difficult task of picking a winner from each category.   ans and Dads, Grandparents, brothers and sisters, friends, neighbours, relatives and many more thronged into the hall to give their support, and they were not disappointed.   The acts included singers, dancers and entertainers with some performing to live accompaniment and others to a backing track.  There were bands, groups, individuals and duos and the variety was very entertaining.

In the younger age category the Judges had the very difficult task of picking a winner, but eventual Samantha Forrest was named as the overall winner after her emotional rendition of the Leona Lewis hit of Snow Patrol ‘Run’ which was exceptional.
Chris Moloney, in the over 15 category, mesmerised the audience with his performance of the Coldplay hit ‘Fix You’ and continued with his ‘beatbox’ vocal break which brought everyone to their feet in appreciation and delight.
The winners each received a cash prize and an opportunity to make a recording at Youghal Claycastle Studio.  The night’s proceedings and the audition were filmed, and plans are advanced to produce a DVD of the event.
Lessons were certainly taken from this incredible night, which showed evidence of the huge amount of local talent which abounds among the young people of Youghal,and the great support which is given to them.   Bobby ee, co-ordinator of the event, told the East Cork Journal that his thanks must go to the volunteers who helped him with the organising and running of the event.  Man of the performers, he continued, are regulars at Youghal’s Hot Spot Cafe where a well resourced music room hosts rehearsals and lessons.
Sacred Roots is a non profit, voluntary rn project, encouraging and helping people realise their potential through the form of music, and they most certainly deserve the support of the people of Youghal and surrounds.
And ‘Y’ stands for ‘Y’outh of ‘Youghal’. – Report: Denise FitzGerald/Photo: John Hennessy