The first heat of Junior Eurovision Éire – Ireland’s national selection for Junior Eurovision – has taken place, with its first two semi-finalists already decided.
Junior Eurovision Éire 2023 Heat One – a recap
The first heat of Junior Eurovision Éire was broadcast on Sunday (September 3rd) on TG4 after the heats and semi-finals were filmed previously. Presenters Louise Cantillon and Darragh Ó Caoimh made a return as hosts for the show, reprising their role from 2022. The competing artists and the results are as follows:
| Order | Artist | Song Performed (in Irish) | Points | Result |
| 1 | Liza O’Neill | “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo | 27 | Qualified (Jury Choice) |
| 2 | Gillian Brennan | “And I Am Telling You” by Jennifer Hudson | 29 | Qualified (Automatic) |
| 3 | Lottie O’Driscoll Murray | “Ghost” by Ella Henderson | 25 | Eliminated |
| 4 | Sophia Connolly Deane | “when the party is over” by Billie Eilish | 28 | Eliminated |
| 5 | Alanna Manton | “New York” by Paloma Faith | 24 | Eliminated |
| 6 | Kiefer Byrne | “Leave a Light On” by Tom Walker | 22 | Eliminated |
As they obtained the highest score, Gillian Brennan was automatically awarded the first semi-final spot. Sophia Connolly Deane & Liza O’Neill were the next two acts with the highest score and competed in the sing-off with Liza O’Neill winning the second semi-final spot.
Similar to previous editions of the national selection, two permanent judges were joined by a special guest judge. For Heat One, the judges were:
- Niamh Nà ChróinÃn – presenter, manager of Raidió RÃ-Rá
- Aindriú de Paor -2FM DJ
- Brooke Scullion- Ireland’s Eurovision 2022 representative
The next heat of Junior Eurovision Éire will be broadcast on Sunday, September 10th.
Ireland’s Junior Eurovision Journey
Ireland first participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2015. Débuting alongside Australia, Ireland was represented by Aimee Banks singing ” Réalta na Mara”. At the close of voting, Ireland finished in 12th place – receiving 36 points. Ireland has since participated a further seven times. Their best placement came in 2022, when Sophie Lennon finished in fourth place with her song “Solas”.
In 2022, Sophie Lennon represented Ireland in Yerevan with her song “Solas”. Ireland’s most recent participation, she finished 4th in a field of 16, earning 150 points. Of these, 88 came from professional juries, whilst the remaining 62 were from the online vote.
Are you looking forward to what Ireland will bring to Junior Eurovision 2023? What is your favourite Irish Junior Eurovision entry? Let us know in the comments below or on social media. Don’t forget to follow ‘THAT Eurovision Site’ over at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok as we gear up for Junior Eurovision 2023.
News Source: TG4
Photo Credit: TG4
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