The 17-year-old from Creeslough is currently sitting her Leaving Cert exams in PCC, Falcarragh, and looking forward to a busy summer ahead. When the results come out in August, she hopes to secure enough points to pursue her chosen course in veterinary nursing at Letterkenny College.

It comes as no surprise that such a course should be high on her priority list when one realises that farming and love of animals are close to her heart. She is the daughter of Denis and Amanda McBride and her sister Shauna is a student in Galway.

“My dad runs a beef farm and we also have horses. I absolutely love the horses and take part in the jumping and the drag-hunting. I help Dad out on the farm every weekend and love to get stuck in to all the tasks,” she tells us.

Ailish was very close to her grandparents, who operated a farm in Cumbria in England. “My granddad and nana, who supported my singing greatly, were the first to bring the Ile de France sheep to Cumbria. My granddad, Clem Moffett, also bred horses as well as rare breeds in cattle, such as Highland cattle. My mum was also involved with the farming and then passed it on to me.”

Attending marts in Milford comes natural to Ailish. “When you are used to being out on the land and around livestock, it is easy to feel at home at marts and shows. It is a very natural and homely feeling.”

Around five years ago, Ailish was chosen to perform the song The Master’s Hand at the school play in Creeslough. “Someone made a video of it and sent it to my granddad in Cumbria. He loved it and urged me to go to a studio to record a few songs. Sadly, he passed away before it was finished. We never did anything with it as I was only 12 at the time. I was too upset to sing for a good while after that.”

Two years ago, Ailish rekindled her love for singing when she joined the Donegal Youth Choir. It helped restore her confidence and she felt at ease on the stage.

“I soon found myself drifting to country music and the people around it. Seamus Magee encouraged me to record some songs and he was so supportive when I did the 12-track album at his studios in Gweedore.

“The videos for Home to My Donegal and The Scania 164 are proving very popular. I ride my own horse in the Donegal song video while Martin Boyle Haulage in Gweedore provided the truck for the Scania song.”

Ailish is leaning strongly towards the more traditional side of country music. “I like songs with good lyrics and a nice melody – songs that people can relate to. I find that’s what goes down best when I perform on stage.”

Those all-important breaks are coming the way of the young lady, who began her country career just over a year ago.

“Last November I shared the stage alongside the Bellamy Brothers from America during their concert. I had the privilege of singing happy birthday to Howard Bellamy and to share the stage with many other great singers.”

Not many Leaving Cert students can say they are hosting their own TV show but Ailish was more than happy to answer the invitation earlier this year.

“I was delighted when asked to front a show on Phil Mack’s Keep It Country channel on Sky 389. The show goes out every Monday at 1pm with a repeat on Wednesday at 1am. I love choosing the music for it and it provides great exposure for me on the circuit.” CL

Further information about Ailish and her album, Home to My Donegal, can be had from her website, www.ailishmbbride.com. She is performing a number of guest spots during the summer, including a show in Newcastle, Co Down, on 15 July.