Meath sisters crowned Ireland's most talented family on TG4’s 'Réalta agus Gaolta

Étáin and Máire Ní Churraoin from Ráth Chairn, Co. Meath, were crowned Ireland's most talented family on the final episode of TG4’s hit Sunday night entertainment series Réalta agus Gaolta.

Étáin & Máire pipped another set of sisters, Iva agus Lea Breskovac from Dublin, for the top spot after a hotly contested final episode. Known as 'the singing sisters' locally in Rath Cairn, Étáin & Máire are steeped in family history when it comes to music and sean nós singing. They are the grand nieces of famous sean nós singer Darach Ó Cathain. The girls are both studying in Maynooth University and have performed in many competitions such as Oireachtas na Samhna, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and Féile na Mí. They have previously appeared on TG4's Fleadh TV and Étáin also took part in 'Logainm' in 2015. Étáin & Máire were the second wildcard act to appear in this year’s final, having previously lost out on a place in the semi-final to the Maher Family. In the subsequent semi-final they performed acapella style and blew the judges away securing their own place in the final. 

Hosted by Síle Seoige, this season the series saw over 70 acts battle it out to impress the judges, Irial O Ceallaigh, musician and TV personality,  Sinéad Ní Uallacháin  broadcaster with Raidió na Gaeltachta and Jim Lockhart, member of the Irish rock band “Horslips”. Participants went head-to-head against each other to win the opportunity to play live on stage supporting the world famous Kíla, in the National Stadium in front of thousands of fans, along with a cash prize of €3,000.

In this years' final, the four remaining families performed not once, but twice, as they sought to impress the judges and be crowned Ireland’s most talented family. First the acts performed the song from their initial heat once more, looking back at how their journey on this year’s series began. Later, they returned to perform another song for the judges. The top two acts were then chosen to compete in a sing off one last time to see who will be crowned Ireland’s most talented family and Étáin and Máire Ní Churraoin came out triumphant.