The first series of The All Ireland Talent Show was announced in November 2008 and commenced broadcasting on 4 January 2009, completing its first series on 15 March 2009. Modelled on Britain's Got Talent, it was produced by Tyrone Productions. Airing on RTÉ One, it was hosted by Gráinne Seoige. Auditions took place in five locations across Ireland in November and December 2008. The auditions were divided into five regions with contestants competing only in their region of origin. The regions are Ulster, Connacht, Munster, Dublin and non-Dublin Leinster. The auditions commenced airing on 4 January 2009. There were five judges and each regional judge, with the assistance of two other personalities who then disappear from the show, selected five acts to be put forward to the live studio heats, which began in February 2009. Louis Walsh was approached to act as a judge but refused to commit. On the opening night of series one, The All Ireland Talent Show had over 500,000 viewers, with Ireland only having a population of over four million people. The opening was similar to the Got Talent series. The twenty-five finalists competed for a first prize of €50,000, which was eventually won by Mulkerrin Brothers of the Aran Islands. (en)
The first series of The All Ireland Talent Show was announced in November 2008 and commenced broadcasting on 4 January 2009, completing its first series on 15 March 2009. Modelled on Britain's Got Talent, it was produced by Tyrone Productions. Airing on RTÉ One, it was hosted by Gráinne Seoige. (en)