Latest news with #DancingattheCrossroads
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Wexford woman and all-round hero is joined by hurling legend for 40th birthday bash
Wexford People Today at 19:00 Anyone who knows her will testify to the fact that Karina Browne always tends to be the life and soul of the party. Well it was quite a party at Sinnott's recently as Karina was surrounded by family and friends to mark her 40th birthday. The Wexford woman has come a long way to get to this point and there was a time where it was thought she wouldn't make it. Around 19 years ago, Karina's life took an unexpected turn when a car accident left her with a traumatic brain injury. However, her strength and determination have been an example to many and with the help of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland she managed to reclaim her life and today she volunteers, has all manner of hobbies and interests and cherishes each moment. In recent times, Karina even blew everyone away with her stirring rendition of Dancing at the Crossroads which won her the inaugural Ability's Got Talent trophy in a packed Wexford Arts Centre and, perhaps more importantly, a thumbs up from legend of that 1996 Wexford hurling team, and Karina's good friend, Larry O'Gorman. Larry O was also in attendance at the party at Sinnott's, alongside lots of Karina's friends from ABI and Wexford Able Disabled Club and her family, all of whom gathered to help her mark the milestone.
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
See pictures from Wexford's Ability's Got Talent show
And, after much deliberation from a judging panel featuring Deputy George Lawlor, boxer Dean Walsh, musician Andrew Berry, former FIFA referee Michelle O'Neill, and broadcaster Sharon Colgan, there was one unanimous winner. Karina Browne, who performed the Wexford anthem Dancing at the Crossroads, was honoured with the Ability's Got Talent trophy and a €250 cheque courtesy of Wexford Credit Union. 'She brought her entire personality to her performance, she's a huge fan of the Wexford hurling team and had practised the song so much.' said Caroline. 'She was one of those we would have picked out from the start. But there were a lot of contenders, it was a very close run thing. From the heats to the final we could see how much they'd grown, how far they'd come, I'm just so happy for them, to see how far they've come. 'We were all blown away by the night and by the performances, it met all our expectations and more. What we were all saying was that the room was so full of love and joy.' Initially organised to spread awareness of the AD-Caller campaign which seeks to support those with disabilities when calling local businesses, the contest 'took on a life of its own' and is now set to become an annual event. 'We're coming back in November for the second run, we couldn't but do it again. There's something special about it, it gives everyone such confidence,' said Caroline who wished to thank both the Wexford Arts Centre and White's Hotel for their generosity in providing their premises for the event. And she said Ability's Got Talent was characterised by its community involvement. 'This wasn't about me, this was about me calling on others to help. It was a community project, I really want to stress that, everyone came together to support us. All the performers really felt that support, some of them have told me they're already practising for November.'
