Walsh holds auditions to recreate boyband magic

There was only one direction for young boyband hopefuls this weekend as all roads led to Dublin’s Button Factory.

With the path to musical success no longer looking available on the Eurovision route, hundreds of young would-be pop stars travelled from all corners of Ireland, as well as a few from Britain, to audition for Louis Walsh’s latest attempt to recreate the success of his previous groups, Boyzone and Westlife.

Many gave up the opportunity to bask in rare glorious sunshine of a Sunday in May to queue for several hours in the dark confines of the music venue.