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A Cullyhanna musician is competing on the Late Late Show this Friday night for a chance to be selected as the opening act for Shania Twain at Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick on 7 July.
Caitlin Mackin, 24, has grown up listening to country music on cds in the van with her dad and all those hits will certainly leave her in good stead when she joins the Late Late Show's search for Ireland’s newest country music star this Friday night from 9.35pm on RTE 1.
Mackin played piano and studied musical theatre when she was younger and has been involved in irish dancing for around 12 years which also helped give her a love for traditional irish country music.
In recent years her musical career has moved to the next level. Mackin explains "I picked up the guitar 2 years ago and did a couple of lessons in Newry to help me learn songs! I posted a TikTok in 2024 which got me my first gig on New Year’s Eve 2024. Since that I’ve been gigging every weekend."
She has also performed at Iur Fest in Newry last year and opened for The High Kings in January in both Letterkenny and Derry.
Mackin is looking forward to this Friday night and the appearance on the Late Late Show. Supporting Shania Twain really would be the gig of a lifetime.
Friday's winner also will perform on the Late Late Show Country Special. "I am so excited to be on the Late Late Show as it's a massive opportunity to get my name out there further" she explains. "I couldn’t have imagined 2026 opening for the High Kings and also getting on the Late Late Show! I’ve hit goals I didn’t think I would have, already in 2026. To open for the country special & Shania Twain would be an absolute dream."
Also competing on the night are Paddy Treacy, Ryan Phoenix, Midnight In Vegas and Jesse Sludds.
On the night she will need your votes so make sure to lift that phone often and help make a dream come true.
