Mayo contestant just loses out on Glór Tíre 2021 crown

Emma Donohue from Ballinasloe was announced as TG4 Glór Tíre winner for 2021 live in The Quays in Galway last night.

In a highly contested final, Emma Donohue took the majority of the public votes to beat David Connor from Claremorris to take the coveted title of Glór Tíre champion and win the cash prize of €5,000.

Emma (22), a student nurse, was mentored by country star Mike Denver. She said she was 'absolutely delighted' to have won the competition, adding: “You have made one girl from Galway a very happy woman tonight. I’d like to say a huge thank you to the team of Gaelmedia who made this experience so worthwhile and to TG4, thank you.

“I want to say commiserations to David and to all the other contestants who took part in the series. You all have a fantastic future ahead of you.”

Glór Tíre, produced by Gaelmedia, was presented by Aoife Ni Thuairisg and Séamus Ó Scanláin, with help from the judges John Creedon, Caitríona Ní Shúilleabháin and Jo Ní Chéide, who ably guided the contestants. The winner was decided by a public vote.

This year's competition, which was broadcast live each week from The Quays, Galway, was not without its challenges because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The semi-final and final of the series were postponed in March due to a Covid-19 incident, and two contestants left the competition due to a breach in Level 5 guidelines.

Máire Ní Chonláin, commissioning editor of Glór Tíre, said: “'It was important for TG4 and Gaelmedia, who produced Glór Tíre, to keep everyone involved in this year's Glór Tíre 2021 safe – the crew, competitors, and guest singers each week. Live broadcasting during a pandemic is a challenge.”

She added: “Congratulations to Emma Donohue, this year's winner, and we wish everyone who took part in the competition this year the best for the future.”

You can catch up with last night's Glór Tíre final on the TG4 Player.