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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Pictured at Cobblestone Joe's is bar owner David Ryan, with X Factor talent scouts Hannah Shutler, Daniel McPherson and Rashida Josiah PICTURE: GARETH WILLIAMS
DOZENS of Limerick people dreaming of being the next big thing were in Cobblestone Joe’s last night to face the X Factor challenge.
The talented – and the not-so-talented – were out in force in order to secure a shot at facing the judges on the ITV show when the auditions proper take place this summer.
Talent scouts Hannah Shutler, Daniel McPherson and Rashida Josiah came from Thames Television in London to film local talent.
Their footage will be fed back to show producers, with the best being invited across to the British capital for a producer audition.
If they get through this, they will then meet the fearsome four judges – likely to be fronted by music mogul Simon Cowell.
“Limerick is a very talented place. We have been all around Dublin and Cork so far, and we have found great talent. I'm excited for the night, I think it will be good,” Hannah told the Limerick Leader.
She praised Cobblestone Joes, saying “It’s a brilliant venue”.
“They have been so accommodating for us, and we would be more than happy to visit again next year, 100%,” she added.
Speaking before her performance, 16-year-old Erin Norris, of Ballinacurra Gardens admitted to feeling somewhat scared.
“I am a good singer, but I do get nervous singing in front of people. I will be singing 'the greatest love of all' by Whitney Houston. I was looking for songs with my brother. We wanted to do a challenging song to show off my voice a bit more, and this is the one that we picked a challenging song to show off my voice a bit more, and this is the one we thought would be best.”
Her father Mark Tobin added: “I'm extremely proud of her. She has a major talent, and i'm really proud of her. I hope she gets on the main show - i'm looking to retire a bit early so hopefully eh?!”
International music juggernaut @TheXFactor has arrived in #Limerick! Auditions well under way now at @cobblestonerock... Lots of musical talent on display. Could we have the next big star on our hands here in the city? @XFUKAuditions #Xfactor pic.twitter.com/S59KSTqTzJ
— Nick Rabbitts (@Nick468official) February 7, 2019
David Ryan, who owns Cobblestone Joe’s with his brother Darragh said: “There are a lot more people out there who need to be given the chance to go forward. I think in Limerick, we are not snobbish about our music.” For more, see The Leader, out Wednesday morning
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