Westmeath sisters set for TG4 competition performance

Two sets of sisters from Westmeath are among the acts lined up for this weekend’s episode of top entertainment show Réalta agus Gaolta (Stars and Relatives) onTG4.

This is the third week of the current season and among the six acts taking part are dancers Haley and Corissa Mulvany, from Raithín Close and musical duo Ellen and Molly O’Meara from Mount Temple.

“We have a watch party arranged!” laughs Valerie Mulvany, mother of Haley (17) and Corissa (13), who put in hours of preparation ahead of the audition for the show, and even more hours since, perfecting their performance.

The two girls, who are both Gaelgóirí, are students at Elevate Academy of Dance, and indeed, Haley is an assistant teacher there, with hopes of going on to make a full-time career in dance.

“That’s all she has wanted, since the age of seven, and it’s never changed and she’s 17 now,” says Valerie.

On Sunday night’s show, the dance Haley and Corissa perform is one they choreographed themselves.

Corissa, who started dancing at seven as well, is a pupil at Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn and Haley attends St Finian’s College.

The two girls and their parents – Valerie and Chris – are thrilled that they were selected to perform on the show.

“It’s a great opportunity,” says Valerie.

Réalta agus Gaolta runs for a total of eight weeks, and judging the families are champion sean-nós singer Irial Ó Ceallaigh and broadcaster Sinéad Ní Uallacháin.

Each week they’ll be joined by a special guest judge from the world of showbiz with the host being Síomha Ní Ruairc.

This week’s guest judge is Irish violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain, Folk Instrumentalist of the Year 2024, whose career has traversed numerous musical genres including classical, traditional, jazz and contemporary music.