What do Dolores O'Riordan, Liam O Maonlai and Maire Ni Bhraonain of Clannad all have in common? Okay, they're all Irish and they all sing, but what else? Well, they all cut their teeth as youngsters on an Irish stage competing in Slogadh, an all-Irish arts festival, which celebrates its 30th year in existence this year. Creid e no na creid. And so the great annual trawl for young talent has begun yet again.

This year Slogadh has been revamped. It will travel to schools taking part and hold the local and regional competitions there. Last year about 10,000 school children took part in a wide range of competitions. This year the figure is expected to be bigger still. In Dublin last week Grainne Seoige of TV3 announced that the closing date for entry to any of the festival's competitions has been extended. Some of the most popular categories include drama, set dancing and pop and rock music.

For further information contact Slogadh, Gael-Linn, 26 Cearnog Mhuirfean, Baile Atha Cliath 2 (tel: (01) 676 7283; fax: (01) 676 7030).