Joe Rabbette hopes new baby holds off until after Glór Tíre final

 

Rosemount man Joe Rabbette and his wife Terri are hoping that their first baby – due on April 3 – does not choose to arrive a week early.

If the baby does, Joe may well be left with an awful dilemma, as he's looking set to be one of the finalists on the hugely popular TG4 show, Glór Tíre, which is due to be screened on March 27.

“That's my biggest fear!” confessed Joe this week, admitting that he hopes he doesn't have to choose between a delivery theatre and a tv studio.

Joe has been paired up with Westmeath musicians The Sheerins for Glór Tíre, having been persuaded by Tom Sheerin to enter the competition.

Joe could hardly say no: “Tom's my brother-in-law!” he laughs, explaining that his sister, Claire, and Tom are wed, and that he has known The Sheerins for years, and indeed often before performed with them.

They're relying on votes from the public to keep them in the competition ahead of their next onscreen appearance, on March 6.

Singing since his childhood, Joe actually performed his first gig as a 12 year old, alongside his father, the well-known Clara singer – also Joe – who, sadly, passed away in November 2015.

There was always lots of encouragement from Joe and wife Marion, says Joe, who has his own band with his sister, Noreen.

“We go as 'The Secrets',” he says.

Joe believes that growing up in Clara was a great start for someone with a grá for music.

“As far as I know, the Christian Brothers always thought every child should get the chance to play an instrument,” he says, recalling his schooldays.

Growing up, he was involved in “everything”: “You name it – drama, Tops of the Town, the lot. It was always a great town for music,” he says.

Joe met wife Terri Keenan from Rosemount, and so hopped across the county boundary. The two got married in June of last year.

The community in Rosemount is launching its drive to support Joe this Sunday, March 4, in The Stile Bar in Rosemount.

To really add to the occasion, Harry Quigley will give a display of photographs and clips from various GAA Social Initiative trips from 5.30 pm, prior to the launch of support for Joe Rabbette, and there are several musicians turning up to support Joe.

 

To vote to keep Joe in Glór Tíre, text “Glor5” to 55307, or download the free GlórTíre app from the AppStore or Playstore – which gives you five free votes to use.