Super-fit Jack is taking Glór Tíre in his stride
Jack Gladney on the set of Glór Tíre with The Tumbling Paddies lead vocalist Gareth Maguire
HAVING just competed in a major fitness championship in Vienna, Jack Gladney has set his sights on winning Ireland’s leading country music competition.
The St Mullins native is one of eight contestants in the new season of TG4’s long-running hit country music show , appearing on the next episode of the series tonight, Tuesday 18 March, at 9.30pm.
“I’ve always loved the programme, always wanted to do it,” said Jack, “but with college and placements and doing a master’s, I never really had a chance, but I’m qualified now so I said, ‘here, I’ll throw my name in and see what happens’.” Jack was almost as thrilled to make it onto the show as he was with the announcement that exciting young Fermanagh band The Tumbling Paddies were set to mentor him throughout the series.
“I’ve listened to the Paddies for years and when I was told they were going to mentor me for the season, I couldn’t believe it,” said Jack. “To get to work with lads my own age, who are in the business and get the ins and outs of it all, it’s unbelievable.” On , Jack will be backed by the Fermanagh combo for a performance of by Dylan Gossett, and he will duet with Paddies’ lead singer Gareth Maguire on a rendition of The Dubliners’ .
The 24-year-old is not just a country music lover, he is also a serious athlete and in February took part in Hyrox Vienna, a major international indoor fitness competition.
“A Hyrox is an 8km run, but after every kilometre you do a different activity, so you do a kilometre, then ski, then go again, then row a kilometre, lunges, wall balls … the whole shebang – and you have to get it done as quick as you can,” said Jack.
“I competed with a group from Urban Gym in New Ross, Co Wexford. Myself and my mate Jack competed in the men’s doubles. We got on really well, completing the Hyrox in one hour and 27 minutes, which we were both delighted with, as we were just looking to survive it. We’re already planning the next one!” Jack added that he will be taking his Hyrox experience into and applying its lessons throughout the competition.
“It’s important to apply the same mindset as the Hyrox to , to take it all in and enjoy every second of it, which I have so far. I am very proud of myself for getting onto the show and it’s made me realise the hard work I’ve put in as a musician is paying off!”
