The show may be over, but for You're A Star semi-finalist Maeve O'Donovan, the trappings of fame continued last week, when, at her Laurel Hill Secondary School, she was given a surprise presentation by the city's Mayor, Joe Leddin.
"I think that for such a young girl she performed exceptionally well in what is a very tough competition and industry, and to be fair to her, she got better each and every week.
As Mayor, this presentation is just a small gesture to make on behalf of the people of Limerick to say congratulations on doing your family, friends, school and city, proud," said the Mayor.
For Maeve, it has been a fortnight of highs and lows having reached the semifinal of the RTE talent search competition and then just marginally missing out on a place on Sunday night's final after wowing the audience with her rendition of The Frames song Fake, and the cartoon classic You Belong to Me.
And the roller-coaster ride ended last Monday, when the 16-year-old headed back to school after an absence of almost two months.
"It's hard being back. I'm just realising how much I've missed and how far behind I am," said Maeve, who is in fifth-year.
Proving particularly difficult, she feels, is getting back into studying the theorems of honours Maths having enjoyed the freedom of singing carefree tunes for the past few months.
Maeve |
The You're A Star semifinal was the second of two major events for the O'Donovan family from Ardnacrusha last Saturday.
Fulfilling his role as forwards coach with the Irish rugby squad, Maeve's dad Niall was in Rome for the Six Nations match against Italy.
Although they beat the hosts comprehensively, they lost out on the title to France on points difference.
Unable to take time out from rehearsals to watch the game, the innovative Maeve made sure that she was given instant updates on every development in Rome and Paris.
"I didn't get to watch the match because I was rehearsing but one of the technical crew behind the scenes kept popping in and out to give me all the updates.
He explained to me about the last-minute try in the French game and I couldn't believe it. I felt sorry for dad but we are both just delighted to have reached as far as we did," she explained.
Although Maeve, is looking forward to pursuing her music ambitions, she would also like a career in production, having enjoyed learning about the behind-thescenes work of the You're A Star series.
For the moment however, she is currently riding high in the Irish national singles charts with her version of the Dixie Chicks song Landslide which has entered the charts at number 25.
"I'm still getting used to the fact that I am in the Irish charts and I want to thank all of the people of Limerick for all their support along the way," she said.
To download the Landslide single text Maeve to 57707 and a code will be sent to your phone which can then be dialled on your computer, allowing you to download the track.
