Nominees

A native of County Cavan, Kathy Durkin is one of Ireland's leading female entertainers and recording artistes. Her voice has been described as being distinctively "IRISH", being both strong and of great clarity.

Kathy came from a very musical family. Her late father Eugene Leddy, a talented fiddle player, had one of the most successful céilí bands in Ireland in the 50's and 60's. They also were the first céilí band to play live on national radio.

Kathy has had a prolific output of singles and albums during her career. She has proved that she is an artist of talent and commitment to the Irish music industry. Her version of the "Working Man" spent an incredible one year in the Irish charts, and was voted best single in Ireland in 1991 and 1992. She has recorded many albums over the years, her most recent being "Home Away From Home", featuring songs like "The Old Man", "Hard Times", "Town I Loved So Well", to mention but a few. Yet another great album, with something for everyone.

Kathy has also toured extensively in Europe, and the United States, where her warm personality and happy smile have won her numerous friends and fans. In the past year, Kathy has been working with her eldest son Andreas. A combination you don't see or hear too often, but in this case works very well. Having toured Denmark and the USA, they have also proven to be a popular duo at Harvey's Point Summer Cabaret, and on the Andy Cooney Cruise of Irish Stars in the Caribbean.

Offstage, Kathy has made a name for herself as the only female golfing entertainer in Ireland. She is widely known for her "Kathy Durkin Golf Classic", an event which annually continues to raise vast sums of money for charity.