Five acts competed for the chance to open for the country music superstar on the Late Late Show
Two Northern Irish country singers appeared on The Late Late Show Opening Act this evening as they competed for the chance to open at a show for Shania Twain.
Five acts from across Ireland took part in the competition hosted by Patrick Kielty on RTE on Friday where they hoped to earn the chance of opening for Shania Twain when she plays in Limerick in July.
The performers taking part were; Paddy Treacy from Co Fermanagh, Jesse Sludds from Co Wexford, Caitlin Mackin from Co Armagh, Midnight in Vegas , a girlband with members from Dublin, Waterford and Essex and Ryan Phoenix from Co Cork.
Patrick Kielty was joined on the night by a panel of special guests which included Una Healy, the multi‑platinum singer who began her career with pop group The Saturdays and has since become one of Ireland’s most recognisable country voices; Sandy Kelly, a true icon of Irish country music and The Late Late Show Country Hall of Fame 2026 inductee; Ben Earle, one half of The Shires, the UK’s most successful country duo; and Tom Dunne, the unmistakable voice of Something Happens and well-known Irish radio broadcaster.
Paddy Treacy from Lisnaskea in Co Fermanagh wowed the judges with his version of Stop The World by Declan Nerney. He has played the banjo since he was just nine years old and blew the judges away with his ability.
Ben said: “He got up there and set the energy in the room. I’d love to get to know his story a bit more.” “I was blown away by him,” said Tom. “This has been a very high standard.”
Caitlin Mackin from Armagh hoped to “break sterotypes” coming from an Irish and Filipino background and was the fourth act on the night. She played her version of Waagon Wheel with Sandy saying: “It was wonderful, I’ve never heard a female vocalist do this song.”
“I felt like there was a story there that I didn’t necessarily get from that performance,” said Ben. “But she really owned the stage and owned the moment.”
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