We are about to head full-on into the national final season for Junior Eurovision 2021. This weekend alone will see Germany select its artist, along with the first round of Georgia’s national selection and the second week of Poland‘s search for its entrant. And on Sunday, Ireland will join the fray.
Ireland’s ADARE Productions confirmed on Twitter that their national selection, Junior Eurovision Éire, will begin on Sunday, September 12th.
More Details on Ireland’s National Selection
According to reporting by Eurovoix, Junior Eurovision Éire will take place over six weeks with Louise Cantillan as host, concluding on October 17th.
To select its artist, there will be two permanent judges from the Irish music industry. Firstly, judge Niamh Ní Chróinín is a radio presenter and the manager of Raidió Rí-Rá, an Irish-language youth radio station. Secondly, judge Fiachna Ó Braonáin is a member of Hothouse Flowers (the interval act at Eurovision 1988). He was also a permanent judge on Junior Eurovision Éire from 2016 to 2018 and helped pen their 2019 JESC entry “Banshee”.
In addition to the two permanent judges, six weekly guest judges will help choose Ireland’s act. This list contains of a who’s-who of past Irish Eurovision entrants. They include:
- Jedward (2011’s “Lipstick” and 2012’s “Waterline”)
- Niamh Kavanaugh (Winner with 1993’s “In Your Eyes”)
- Brian Kennedy (2006’s “Every Song is a Cry for Love”)
- Lesley Roy (2020’s “Story of My Life” and 2021’s “Maps”)
- Mickey Joe Harte (2003’s “We’ve Got the World”)
- Linda Martin (1984’s “Terminal 3” and Winner with 1992’s “Why Me?”)
Further details on Junior Eurovision Éire, such as whether the song will be selected along with the artist or written after the show concludes, are forthcoming. The first round is scheduled for broadcast at 8:30pm GMT on TG4.
Ireland in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Ireland first participated in Junior Eurovision in 2015 with Aimee Banks’ “Réalta na Mara” which finished in 12th place with 36 points. After that, Ireland earned its best JESC result, finishing in 10th place in 2016 with Zena Donnelly’s “Bríce Ar Bhríce”.
Ireland finished in 15th place in 2017 and 2018. They moved up to 12th place again in 2019 with Anna Kearney’s “Banshee”. Ireland decided not to participate in the 2020 contest, along with a handful of other countries. This decision was due to concerns about travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All of Ireland’s past Junior Eurovision entries were written and sung in Irish because TG4 is an Irish-language broadcaster. As a result, some fans expressed interest in Ireland sending entries in Irish to Eurovision itself.
Are you excited for Ireland’s return to Junior Eurovision? Do you want them to send anther entry in Irish? Let us know in the comments or on social media. Be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
News Source: Eurovoix, ADARE Productions
Photo Source: EBU, Thomas Hanses
