CARLOW TOPS 2007
Four Teams took part in Carlow Tops 2007. Tullow Variety Group, Rathnure Variety Group, Tullow Stage School and Shillelagh Variety Group. Tullow Variety Group and Rathnure Variety Group reached the finals on Friday 20th April 2007 with Rathnure being the overall winners for 2007. We look forward to the 30th Anniversary of Carlow Tops in 2008

SPONSORS for 2007
Mirror Magic, Betty O’Neill, Carlow County Council (Arts Office), Tullow Credit Union Ltd., Edwards Engineering, Harry Kealy, Supervalu, Tullow, Tara Arms, Maureen Healy Award, Siobhan O’Sullivan Cup.
All proceeds to local charities. Raffle each night
No booking of seats. Come early.

From the John Player Tops Magazine of 1984 we find that the Tops competition was originally launched for the Carlow area in 1978. Within a few years the competition was relocated to Tullow. The Magazine goes on to say "this move coupled by the reorganisation of the committee re-vitalised the event which has been an outstanding success ever since"  In 1984 six groups participated in what proved to be a highly competitive and exciting competition. In 1984/1984 there were as many as 80 groups competition nationally with up to 6 groups within a 15 miles radius of Tullow.

 

 

Until the mid-1990's John Players continued to sponsor the Tops competition and each year  a very successful competition based and organised from Tullow took place in the Carlow Area with as many as 8 groups taking part. Many remember the last few shows in which Redcross went on to regional and national finals. Alas when John Players withdrew their sponsorship the competition nationally ended.

 

However in the South East three centres soldiered on Wexford, Waterford, and Tullow organising local Tops Competitions. By the year 2000 only two centres remained Wexford and Tullow. Then in 2002 Fr David Murphy organised a very successful competition in Taghmon Co Wexford.

The 2003 Taghmon competition took place March/April and was an outstanding success the 2003 winners being Rathnure Co Wexford.

 

The Carlow Tops Competition will take place here in Tullow in early May and at present at least four teams have entered.

 

The Tullow 2002 Competition saw the welcome return of a team from Carlow Town (Super Value) It is not yet known if they will participate in 2003.

 

 

This is what the John Player Magazine 1984 had to say "A somewhat disappointing aspect of Tops in the Carlow area is the lack of entries from Carlow Town over the years. Carlow has a tradition of achievement in drama, music and it is a shame that a town of its size cannot produce a few groups".

The launch of the Carlow Tops 2003 took place in Mount Wolseley Golf and Country Club on Monday 31th March.

This is a very exciting year for Tops as it is the 25th anniversary of Carlow Tops ' said John Jackman, chairperson of the Carlow Committee as he announced that four teams would be competing this year'.

Last years winners "Tullow Variety Group" were represented at the launch by William Patton, Anthony Kirwan, Maureen Wright, Jason Hennessy, Niamh and Elaine Shannon.

Rathnure Variety Group are back again hoping to out do, out dance, and out wit Tullow, but the young guns of Graignamanagh will have something to 'sing' about that

Rathnure were represented by John O'Reilly, Tom Reddy, Liam Sharkey, and Mick Leary.

No strangers to Tullow Denis and Olivia Staunton and Clive Canning represented Graigunamanagh.

The Committee are delighted to welcome newcomers "Hacketstown Variety Group" to the competition this year.

Under the leadership of Deirdre McCarney and Kieran Fitzgerald, Hacketstown hope to give the other three shows a run for their money and to take home the Siobhan O'Sullivan Perpetual Trophy and €1,000.

The second prize in the competition is €700, 3rd €600, €550. There will also be a number of other awards which will be ajudicated during the heats.

The Carlow Tops in Tullow would not be possible without the generosity of local sponsors. The committee would like to thank Martin Nolan-Magic Mirrors, Harry Kealy-Building Contractors, Betty O'Neill, Mount Wolseley Golf and Country Club, Carlow Co. Co., for their generous sponsorship in the past.

Sponsorship for the 25th Anniversary event will be Mount Wolseley Golf and Country Club, Lar Byrne-Byrne Meats, Carlow Co. Co., Matrin Nolan-Mirror Magic, Harry Kealy-Building Contractor.

The Adjudicatior for the Final will be Mr Eddie Wynberry from Waterford

The Carlow Tops Committee wish all groups the best of luck and guarantee three nights of great live entertainment

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RATHNURE WERE THE GRAND FINAL WINNERS FOR 2003