Shane McLaughlin from Downings.
BY SEÁN P. FEENY
LAST Sunday night the people of Donegal showed how well they are at supporting their own when two talented singers from the county made the Final 16 of this year’s The Voice Of Ireland on RTÉ One.
Shane McLaughlin (28) from Downings and Roisin Carlin (20) from Fahan were both chosen by public vote to make the next stage of the competition.
Shane said he couldn’t believe it when his name was called out, but the second he stepped off stage and realised that two of his friends were still awaiting their fate, it brought him right back to reality,
But Shane said he couldn’t have been a prouder Donegal man when Roisin’s name was also announced as the winner of the public vote.
It has been non-stop for Shane since the weekend. On Tuesday night he hosted the weekly quiz at Voodoo Lounge, today (Wednesday) he was travelling back to Dublin and on Friday he is visiting schools around the area.
Shane also spent the week visiting all the businesses who have shown their support so far.
“I would especially like to say thank you to everyone in Donegal that voted for me, I am so grateful to them for their support.”
After Sunday night, Roisin said she didn’t think she’ll ever get used to the excitement.When Roisin came off stage as the public winner, she also looked back to see the other contestants, to whom she had grown very close to, await their fate.
She said: “It was like being at the battle stage all over again.
“It’s a bittersweet moment, you’re elated that you came through, but then it’s awkward as you feel for those who didn’t.”
Roisin admitted she slept all the way home to Donegal on Monday and is still only getting around to responding to well-wishers.
On Friday she will be performing at her old school, Scoil Mhuire Buncrana, while she also prepares for the next stage of the show –
The Final 16. Shane and Roisin will now wait and see which other eight performers join them.
This Sunday, the remaining twelve of the Final 24 take to the Voice stage, 6.30pm, RTÉ One.
Roisin Carlin from Fahan.