Local people play a big part in Christmas TV schedule

Rochfortbridge singing sensation Laura Mulligan will be looking for local support during December as she continues her journey with popular TG4 show Glor Tire in their nationwide search for the country voice of Ireland.Laura Mulligan, the 33 year old Westmeath songbird, who has country star Mike Denver as a mentor, has described the show as "nerve wracking" but in spite of her nerves, has made into to the final seven.The competition, an Irish language, country music "X-Factor" style show allows supporters to vote throughout the week from one Wednesday until the next. Laura who has been singing since the age of five and also writes her own songs. Is hoping to release a single from her debut album early in the new year.From an early age, Laura was inspired by some of incredible country icons such as Dolly Parton, Faith Hill and LeAnn Rimes.Her album launched last spring, introduced Laura's unique voice to a wider audience, with a series of some well-known American country hits but as someone who devotes much of her time to songwriting, Laura has plenty of her own material coming on stream, so we're bound to hear a lot more from her in the future.To vote for Laura text 53500 and a charge of 60c will apply.Anyone who took part the activities organised by Failte Ireland when comedians Dara O'Briain, Griff Rhys-Jones and Rory McGrath were in town should tune into the BBC 2 on Wednesday night, December 30 at 9pm and the following Friday at 8pm.The "Three Men in a Boat" stars rowed into Mullingar on the 10th October, landing at the harbour on the Royal Canal, to discover the town lined with children waving flags decorated with their faces.There were also bands and dancers and an opportunity to try their hand at making boxty with our own celebrity chef Ann Hamill.The three comedians were in town to film the third Irish instalment of the BBC travel/buddy programme based on the novel by Jerome K Jerome, "Three Men in a Boat" (to say nothing of the dog), which details a journey along the Thames from London to Oxford.The three men received an incredible welcome from the people of Mullingar, ensuring that as much of the town and its people will make it into the programme and not end up on the cutting room floor.The only Irish man in the trio, joked with film crew that he had been to Mullingar many times and while this was not a typical welcome, it was a pleasure and a delight to be in Mullingar once again.The original book title, "Three Men and a Boat" (to say nothing of the dog) became a "don't mention the dog" after Dara's racing hound, Snip Nua, which was hotly tipped by everyone connected to the show and Failte Ireland, failed to line anyone that was in the know's pockets that night.