Letterkenny woman's 'dream come true' sharing the stage with 'Queen of Country'

A Letterkenny woman who got the chance to perform on stage with Ireland's 'Queen of Country' Philomena Begley, has described the experience as “a dream come true.”

Cathy McGuigan, who lives in  Draperstown, Co Derry, had the opportunity to perform with the country star at Carol and Jimmy’s Christmas Cracker held in The Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown earlier this month. 

The event was organised by Carol Doey and Jimmy Cowan of the local community hub, and featured special guests Paula McIntyre and Anne Marie McAleese. The opportunity to sing with special guest Philomena Begley was down to Carol Doey, who had heard Cathy singing a country song at a previous event in September.

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Cathy was delighted when she got to join the much-loved entertainer on the stage where they sang 'Blanket on the Ground' together.

“Carol arranged for me to sing with Philomena, this was a dream come true as I grew up listening to the Queen of Country and also Susan McCann,” she said. 

Cathy said she has a list of five things she wants to do before she turns 50 and the chance to sing with Philomena Begley was top of the list.

“I'd also like to record a country song, take a helicopter ride, do a Carribean Cruise and the last one I'm keeping under wraps,” she said. Cathy says her love of country music stems from her childhood, growing up in the Burma in Letterkenny.

“I got my love of country from my uncle Charlie Doherty from Letterkenny. I loved to go anywhere with him as he played cassettes of these two great ladies (Philomena Begley and Susan McCann) in his car. He is a farmer and has two beautiful little grandsons Charles and Thomas Bradley in Cookstown eager to follow his footsteps.”