The Insider: Vintners' Federation of Ireland

IF you dream of seeing your name in lights, then the Vintners' Federation of Ireland has just the contest for you.

Their Stars Of Our Bars pub talent competition kicks off in pubs and bars across the country this month. Up to 5,000 acts from all walks of life are expected to challenge for the cash prize fund of €50,000 and to be crowned Smithwick's Stars Of Our Bars champion 2011. Entry is free.

  • THE country's celebs will be keeping a low profile tonight when this year's 4th annual Gooseberry Awards take place at the Sugar Club from 7.30pm.

The event honours the worst in Irish music and media, with all awards being voted for by the Irish public.

This year's nominees include Fade Street, The Apprentice and many more.

  • IRELAND'S biggest celebrities will be joining 98FM DJ Aidan Power on The Morning Crew for the rest of the week, after his co-host Claire Solan departed on holiday. For one week Aidan will be cosying up to the likes of busty beauty Georgia Salpa and blonde bombshell Rosanna Davison.

He'll also be battling it out over the airwaves with Bernard Dunne, tackling the microphone with rugby star Jamie Heaslip and having a laugh with Dustin the Turkey, The Apprentice's Brian Purcell and Ken Doherty.

  • A host of big names from sport will step out next month when Irish charity Fighting Blindness holds its annual luncheon on Friday, February 4 at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.

Ahead of Ireland's Six Nations match against Italy and the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, RTE's Des Cahill will again MC the event which celebrates one of the most anticipated weekends in the sporting calendar.