Feystown singer in The Voice quarter-finals

A Feystown man who is starring in The Voice of Ireland has showcased his vocal talents in a singing workshop at his former school.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Apr 2015, 08:00 BST
Maureen McVeigh, Kieran McKillop and Lisa Black. INLT 13-008-PSBMaureen McVeigh, Kieran McKillop and Lisa Black. INLT 13-008-PSB
Maureen McVeigh, Kieran McKillop and Lisa Black. INLT 13-008-PSB

Kieran McKillop, who successfully passed through to the quarter finals of the RTE talent show on Sunday March 22 after being picked by his coach Rachel Stevens, visited his alma mater St Killian’s College on Monday March 30.

Reliving the moment when he was selected to be one of the final twelve singers in the prestigious competition, Kieran commented: “I was setting myself up for going out of the competition and I was determined to go out and enjoy myself and to sing the best I could.

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“I had a full busload of family and friends down supporting me and the noise that they made when I was on stage made it for me. I was still nervous but I enjoyed it so much more.”

Kieran is now spending the next few days honing his vocal talents and performance with the show’s vocal coach and choreographers. He continued: “The quarter final is on April 12 and it feels unreal to be picked as one of the top 12 singers in Ireland at the moment. I am learning a new song at the minute and going up and down to Dublin for rehearsals.”

Between his visits to Dublin, Kieran has also found time to encourage the next generation of local singers.

The local man, who was a student at St Killian’s from 2002-2009, performed a song at a year group assembly before helping his former music teacher Miss Caroline Dunne and Miss Therese Mallon host singing workshops.

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Kieran continued: “It was weird going back to St Killian’s, which is my old school. I was more nervous about appearing there than on live TV! I helped with singing lessons but I wouldn’t say I’m a celebrity figure.

“I also went to a fundraising ceilidh at St John’s Primary School last Friday and I will be performing at my old primary school, St Macnissi’s in Larne, today (Thursday April 4).”

Despite starring in a show with The Saturdays singer Una Healy and former S-Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens, joiner Kieran says his duties on the family farm keep him grounded.

He laughed: “I got home from Dublin on Monday morning and a few hours later I was lambing again, there was no respite!

“I don’t think that getting through has sunk in yet, but I’m over the moon.

“I am appealing for local people to vote for me when the time comes. I would be very grateful.”