A footloose & colourful performance by Clonlara Youth Club
Young comedians, dancers, rappers, mime artists & musicians all took to the stage at LIT’s Millennium Theatre recently, as young people participated in Limerick Youth Service’s annual variety show, the Youth Factor.
The event, which continues to grow in popularity, saw over twenty acts showcase their talent in categories that included dance, performance, song & music, in front of a very lively crowd!
After nearly three hours of entertainment from the talented teens, the judging panel of Siobhan Jackson, Tracey Lawlor and Emily O’Shaughnessy were faced with the unenviable task of choosing the winners.
And the winners are:
As the white smoke bellowed from their (the judges) deliberation chamber the young people and their families finally learned their fate!
Robbie Haighney, Fedamore Youth Club, won first prize in the in the highly competitive Senior Song Category with Martin Casey, from the Laff Caff Youth Café, Galvone, winning the Junior Song Section with his amazing version of BZN’s Just an Illusion.
Martin Casey, winner of the Junior Song Category with Maurice Walsh, LYS
Granagh Youth Club wowed the judges and had the audience in stiches with their comedic classroom sketch as they won the Junior Performance Category with Cormac Hanley, St. Senan’s Youth Club, Foynes, winning the Senior Performance Category with his hilarious stand-up routine.
Cormac was also presented with Youth Work Ireland’s Fair Play Award that his youth club, St. Senan’s, were awarded at last year’s national finals.
In the music category, Granagh Youth Club took first prize in the junior section Cappamore Youth Group winning the senior crown with their cover of Andra Day’s I’ll Rise Up.
Destiny Girls on stage at this year’s Youth Factor
One of the loudest cheers of the afternoon was reserved for ‘Destiny Girls’ from LYS’ Diversity & Youth Group (D.A.Y), who won the Senior Dance award with Clonlara Youth Club winning the Junior Dance Category with their contemporary twist on the the 80s classic Footloose- they must have raided their parents wardrobe & old cassette tapes!
This year also featured a special award for Most Entertaining Act with that accolade going to Eoin Fitzgibbon, Rathkeale Youth Space.
Away from the stage the audience also got in on the act as youth clubs/groups waved their banners in support of their friends with banner in support of the D’Island Girls winning.
Speaking to a packed auditorium, LYS’ Youth Work Manager, Maurice Walsh, paid tribute to the young people for taking to the stage and thanked the volunteers for their support in making the event possible.
Maurice also thanked sponsors, staff at the Millennium Theatre and the youth workers who went above and beyond in making the event such as a success.
A member of Youth Work Ireland, Limerick Youth Service remains committed to supporting and encouraging young people to be active participants in shaping their future.
ENDS####
