The Voice of Ireland is coming up to its third week of auditions as aspiring singers from around the country perform to the backs of four chairs containing Kian Egan, Bressie, and new judges Rachel Stevens and Una Foden.

The competition is now in its fourth year and it has been criticised on occasion for as of yet not producing any big star from its winners. However we have to say, we think last year's winner may just have what it takes.

Brendan McCahey was a seasoned performer by the time he stepped out in front of the judges, and he proved his worth week after week throughout the competition last year under the tutelage of his mentor Bressie. It seems nobody was more surprised than Brendan to get so far though;

"I didnt think for a second I would win it, first off, I didn't even know how I was going to be perceived on a show like The Voice of Ireland. I'm probably not the average winner of any type of show like that."

He went on to say; "It was such a brilliant feeling though to work all these years in music and to chance going on a show like that and then to win it. It's great, and it has really opened so many doors for me."

Since the show ended in April, Brendan has been spending the last year touring around the country and recording his new album ' To Where I Begin', which was released in November.

"There are ten songs on the album', Brendan told us. 'I wanted to keep it short and sweet and neat. Nine of them I've written and one of them is a cover version."

"Some people have said there is a folk element to it. Some songs sound a bit like Fleet Foxes, some are close to Van Morrison - that sort of style."

Brendan also feels that his musical background will be of benefit to him as opposed to other talent show winners; "It helped in that I had already so much prepared and had been in the studio before, producing things and writing songs and working with other musicians."

His mentor Bressie hasn't left him high and dry either since the show ended; "We do stay in contact, even if it's just through Twitter. Actually during the recording of Sweet Love he came into studio and had a listen for a few days just to see how the process was going, and it was lovely having him there, it really was."

As for what's to come in 2015, well the future is looking bright with some big name musicians getting in touch with Brendan for a collaboration. As for who he would love to work with; "Out of Irish artists, I like Cathy Davey - I've always thought her music was brilliant. And of course Imelda May, she's really good and the rockabilly element would work too. There's so many greats!"

We could really see himself and Imelda hitting it off on stage, and indeed Cathy.

Watch this space!

In the meantime, you can have a listen to his lovely new debut single below;