Laura's X Factor dream!

Tullamore singing sensation Laura Mulligan has made it to the final 15 in the over-28s category in the X Factor series that will be aired on our television screens this autumn. While contractual agreements mean she has to stay tight-lipped about her experiences past boot camp, she's hoping all of Offaly will tune in to watch her X Factor journey later in the year. Laura, who is in her early 30s, is one of just 80 singers remaining in the competition across all categories from an initial audition list of approximately 57,000. The one time café owner said she's always had a talent and interest in singing, but put off entering X Factor for eight years before finally taking the plunge this year. Originally from Collinstown in Co Westmeath, mother-of-one Laura has been living in Tullamore with her five year old son Reeve for the past seven years. Laura learned her first song at the age her own son is now - five. From a musical family, she said she has enjoyed All of that changed in 2009 when Laura recorded an album entitled "Soft Place to Fall". Her voice attracted the attention of Mike Denver's manager Willie Carty, who asked her to be Mike's guest on Glór Tíre 2009. Though she had a great experience, Laura said she let music lie after that until she plucked up the courage to audition for X Factor this year in Dublin. She's delighted now that she did, as she said she "just seemed to sail through the auditions". She began the process with an audition and a recall on the same day in Dublin at the end of May. Two auditions in London followed, which resulted in her being told on the same day that she had made the X Factor shortlist. An audition in front of X Factor's celebrity judges in Manchester followed, before Laura was selected to go on to boot camp. It's after boot camp information dries up, but Laura has encouraged everyone to "stay tuned for the rest". She did describe her experience in X Factor so far in general terms as "fantastic". "It was very surreal," she explained. "You're among very big personalities." She also said that the X Factor judges have been "amazing". Laura can't say what songs she sang in her early auditions. However she has said that regardless of what happens in X Factor she's going to pursue a career in music. "That's my dream, to be a well known artist," she said. Her number one fan for the moment is her son Reeve. "He loves listening to me singing," Laura said, adding that he's thrilled his mam is going to be on television. Laura is also a big fan of her son, and found being separated from him for auditions hard. "It was tough being away from him, but if you want to pursue a dream in life that's what you have to do to get to where you want to be," she said. Laura said she feels "blessed" with her voice. She said what will matter going forward is support. Up to now her family and friends have been that support network, but Laura's hoping to garner more support as her X Factor dream rolls on. singing since then but did little with her voice until three years ago.