Batt wins the show

It was a John McCormack song that won it for Batt Dunlea from Killeens at the Cork Over 60s Talent Competition which was held on Sunday 27 May. Batt sang  'At the End of the Day' and his rendition won him €1,000. The competition was sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care at the Blackpool Shopping Centre and over 1,300 people attended the final and the proceeds from the evening went to the Irish Heart Foundation.

Originally from Farranree, Batt represented Glen Rovers as their first entry in the competition and he cried tears of joy when he heard he was the winner.

"We have never had anything as emotional as when Batt told me that every night his father used to sing him to sleep," said competition organiser Paddy O' Brien.

The late Bill, Batt's dad was known as the Voice of Erin and was a popular tenor in Cork in the 1940s and 1950s. Batt had tremendous support from his family for the final including his wife Maura, four of his five children, six grandchildren and siblings, including his brother,Eddie, who has been living in England for the past 52 years and came home with his two sons to support Batt.

This is the 36th year of the Cork Over 60s Talent Competition and from its' humble beginnings in a few community centres, it has grown and now takes place in 22 different areas across the city and county.