The first two semi-finalists of Junior Eurovision Éire 2023 have been chosen.
The first heat of Junior Eurovision Éire 2023 was broadcast tonight, having been filmed in RTÉ Studios in Dublin earlier this year. Louise Cantillon and Darragh Ó Caoimh returned to present the show for the third and second year in a row respectively.
As in previous editions, the results of tonight’s show were decided by an in-studio jury of two permanent members and a guest judge. Each judge could award up to ten stars per contestant. The contestant with the most stars advanced to the semi-final. The second and third-placed contestants advanced to a sing-off, where the judges chose one contestant to advance to the semi-final.
The two permanent judges are:
- Niamh Ní Chróinín – Presenter of TG4 youth programming Cúla4, manager of Irish-language youth radio station Raidió Rí-Rá
- Aindriú de Paor – RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ Sport and Spórt TG4 presenter
The guest judge for this week was Brooke Scullion who represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.
The results were as follows:
- Liza O’Neill – “Driver’s License” (27 stars) – Sing-Off
- Gillian Brennan – “And I Am Telling You” (29 stars) – Semi-Finalist
- Lottie O’Driscoll Murray – “Ghost” (25 stars)
- Sophia Connolly Deane – “When the Party’s Over” (28 stars) – Sing-Off
- Alanna Manton – “New York” (24 stars)
- Kiefer Byrne – “Leave a Light On” (22 stars)
Sophia and Liza advanced to the sing-off. Liza was chosen by the judges to advance to the semi-final.
For the second year in a row, a public vote will decide the winner in the final. The voting will be open after the semi-final is over. After the winner is chosen, the Irish entry for Nice will be specially composed for the winner.
Ireland achieved its best-ever placement in Junior Eurovision at the 2022 contest. Sophie Lennon and her song “Solas” finished in 4th place with 150 points.
Image Source: 1IMAGE/Bryan Brophy
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 2022 contest in Armenia. Ireland was represented by Sophie Lennon with the song “Solas”. She finished 4th in the final, scoring a total of 150 points.
