Published: Wednesday, 27th January, 2010 4:59pm

Stars of Meath bars

by John Donohoe

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A number of Meath pubs are taking part in 'Stars of our Bars', a talent contest run by the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI), in conjunction with Smithwick's, with a total prize fund of €50,000.

Designed to encourage hidden or more experienced performers to get involved, Stars of our Bars county heats commence mid January, continuing until the end of March. The competition will be running in 400 pubs outside of Dublin. Each pub will have the chance to run up to eight competition heats and finalists will be chosen from each participating county to be put forward to the provincial finals in April.

The finalists who make it through the county and provincial stages of the competition will then take part in the grand final in May.

Entry to the competition is free and aspiring entertainers can enter through their nearest participating pubs.

The Meath pubs taking part in the VFI Stars of our Bars competition in Meath are Flood's, Athboy; O'Neill's Bar, Duleek; Boggan's Bar, Rathcore, Enfield; Bridge House, Enfield; The Cock Tavern, Gormanston; Corby's Bar, Carlanstown; Keogans, Nobber; Castletown Inn, Castletown; O'Reilly's Market Bar, Trimgate Street, Navan; Round O Bar, Flower Hill, Navan; Teach na Teamhrach, Balreask, Navan; The Courtyard Bar, Johnstown Shopping Centre, Navan; Old Bridge Inn, Kilcarn, Navan; and Farrelly's Bar, and the Fincort, both Oldcastle.

Entrants can apply through their nearest participating pub. There is no entry fee for participants. The prizes for the pub finals are at the discretion of the publicans. The prize for the county winner will be €1,000, and for the all Ireland winner will be €7,500. Two acts will be chosen at the county finals to go forward to the provincial stages. All contestants must be over 18 years of age.