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The Sean McCarthy Ballad Competition is Now Open for Entries

Image for the post The Sean McCarthy Ballad Competition is Now Open for Entries.
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The Sean McCarthy Ballad Competition is now open for entries, inviting talented songwriters and performers to showcase their skills in the heart of Co. Kerry.

The 30th annual Sean McCarthy Memorial weekend will take place in the village of Finuge from August 1st -4th. Feature of the festival will be the Ballad Competition which is sponsored by IMRO & Mike Nillson from Palm Springs, USA. Over the years some of the better known song writers from all parts of Ireland and beyond have submitted original ballads for the competition.  The top 10 are then chosen by an expert panel of judges and are invited to perform in the final held in Teach Siamsa, Finuge.

Applications are now available to download here

To participate in the competition, interested individuals are requested to take into account the following rules before submitting their application:

  1. Entries to be received by no later than Sunday 20th July at 5pm 2025.
  2. Entries to be submitted on CD with 3 typed copies (or in very clear handwriting). Also include your email address.
  3. Entries to be accompanied by cheque/postal order for €25.00. Cheque Or Postal Order made out to the Sean McCarthy Weekend.
  4. No entries will be returned.
  5. Name, address and telephone number to be clearly written on CD cover and back of each copy of lyrics.
  6. Finalists will perform their entry in Teach Siamsa Finuge.
  7. The overall winner and runner-up will be decided then.
  8. Entries may be in English or Irish. One or two musicians only to accompany the performer.
  9. Entries must be original and not previously performed or published.
  10. No in-house music supplied by committee.
  11. No pre-recorded backing music allowed.
  12. Adjudicators’ decision is final. (3 Judges)
  13. Performances on the night of the final may be recorded and /or videoed at the Committees discretion. Such recordings may be played /transmitted on the sound and visual media, e.g. radio, television, Internet; entrants are deemed to have given their permission for it unless otherwise indicated by them to the Committee.

Applicants are strongly advised to review the rules, especially Rule No. 9, before submitting their entries.

All entries should be sent to: Bridget O Connor, Finuge, Lixnaw, Co. Kerry.

For any inquiries regarding the Sean McCarthy Ballad Competition, please contact Bridget O’Connor at 087-6250516 or via email at info@finugeweekend.com