Maiú Levi Lawlor has won Junior Eurovision Éire 2021 and will represent Ireland in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021.
The final of Junior Eurovision Éire was broadcast tonight, having previously been filmed in RTÉ Studios in Dublin earlier this year. Louise Cantillon presented the show, taking over from former host Eoghan McDermott.
As in previous editions, the results of tonight’s show were decided by an in-studio jury of two permanent members and revolving guest judges. The two permanent judges are:
- Niamh Ní Chróinín – Radio presenter, manager of Irish-language youth radio station Raidió Rí-Rá
- Fiachna Ó Braonáin – Member of Hothouse Flowers (interval act at Eurovision 1988), a permanent judge on Junior Eurovision Éire 2016-2018, composer of “Banshee” (Junior Eurovision 2019 Ireland)
The guest judge for this week was Linda Martin, who represented Ireland in 1983 and 1992, winning the latter.
Each contestant had to sing two songs; one which they already performed during the competition and a cover of a former Irish Eurovision entry. The judges chose two artists to advance to the final sing-off, the winner of which would represent Ireland at Junior Eurovision 2021.
The results were as follows:
- Sophie Lennon – “Circle of Life”/ “It’s For You” – 3rd
- Maiú Levi Lawlor – “Hold Back the River” / “Only Love Survives” – Sing-Off
- Lilyella Buckley – “Someone You Loved” / “Rock’n’Roll Kids” – Sing-Off
Sing-Off:
- Lilyella Buckley – “Lost Without You” – 2nd
- Maiú Levi Lawlor – “Grace” – Winner
Maiú’s entry will be revealed in the upcoming weeks.
Ireland will return to Junior Eurovision this year after withdrawing in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Their last participation in the contest was in 2019, when Anna Kearney represented the country with “Banshee”.
Image Source: TG4
Ireland in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Ireland debuted in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest at the 2015 contest in Sofia, Bulgaria. The nation’s participation is organised by the Irish language broadcaster, TG4. At the 2015 contest in Bulgaria Ireland was represented by Aimee Banks with the song “Réalta na Mara”, she finished 12th in the final. The country’s best result came at the 2016 contest in Malta. Ireland was represented by Zena Donnelly with the song “Bríce ar Bhríce”. She finished 10th in the final scoring a total of 122 points, including receiving the country’s first 12 points in the contest.
