Dungloe's Darcy Walsh dreams of bringing Glór Tire title back to Donegal

When it comes to Glór Tíre, TG4’s long-running, hit Country Music show, Donegal contestants have always performed strongly, and the hopes of the county in 2026 are with Darcy Walsh.

Twenty-two-year-old Darcy, from Dungloe, will appear on Glór Tíre on Tuesday, January 27,at 9.30pm - the first episode of the new season. She is well aware of the expectations, given she comes from a county which is a heartland for the Country and Irish genre.

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“The last two seasons had two contestants each from Donegal,” she says, referring to Jason McCahill and Chelsea Evans in 2024, and Jack Larry and Michaela Harkin in 2025. “I'm the only one this year, so I definitely feel the pressure, but I'm absolutely delighted to be representing the county on Glór Tire.”

For emerging and aspiring Country singers, there is no bigger platform or better exposure than Glór Tíre. For lifelong viewer Darcy, this is a very special opportunity.

“Glór Tíre is really important for up-and-coming artists,” she says. “It's always been a massive part of our household, and I've always dreamt of being on the show. So to be able to be here now, on Season 22, is amazing.”

Darcy is one of eight contestants on the new season battling for the title of Ireland’s Glór Tíre Country Music Champion 2026. Contestants will also be mentored by a leading figure in Country and Irish music, and Darcy’s mentor is one of the biggest - Jimmy Buckley.

“I'm a huge fan of Jimmy's,” she says. “Myself and my Granddad used to always listen to Jimmy’s version of ‘Grandma's Feather Bed’. That was our number one song. I've looked up to Jimmy now for a number of years, and any questions you have for him, he just knows exactly what to say. He's brilliant.”

Darcy’s father has also been a significant mentor, always quietly encouraging his daughter’s talents. “It was my Dad that got me into country music, driving home from Mass, Country Music on, driving home from school, Country Music on,” she says. “He used to sing songs to me all the time. He would give me a song and say, ‘Go away and learn that now and come back and do a performance for me later. So yeah, he was guiding and mentoring me even then.”

On Glór Tíre, Darcy will sing ‘I Love a Rambling Man’, a song made popular in Ireland by Philomena Begley, while her duet with Jimmy Buckley will be Don Williams' 1975 hit, ‘Love Me Tonight’. “‘Love Me Tonight’ isn't a duet, but works really well as a duet,” says Darcy. “It really fits myself and Jimmy's voices together.”

Also appearing on the show is Co Down singer Jordan McPolin. Glór Tíre is presented by Aoife Ní Thuairisg and produced by Galway-based company, Gael Media. Jó Ní Chéide and Caitriona Ní Shuilleabháin return as resident judges. The guest judge will be the Sunday World’s Eddie Rowley.