Ireland has selected its act for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026. 14-year-old Caleb Kirwan and 13-year-old Naomi Gribben will fly the Irish flag in Ta’ Qali with the song “NÃos Láidre”.
Caleb and Naomi win Junior Eurovision Éire 2026
The final of Junior Eurovision Éire 2026 was aired this evening, hosted by Louise Cantillon. Three young artists competed, with the jury selecting the best of them. The jury for today’s show included:
- Niamh Nà ChróinÃn – Cúla4 presenter
- Hugh Carr – RTÉ 2fm presenter
- Linda Martin – Irish singer, television presenter, and winner of the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest
The final was organized into two rounds. The results of the first round, in which each artist performed two covers, are as follows:
- Naomi Gribben – “If I Could Back Time” and “Why Me?” – Qualified
- Caleb Kirwan – “Halo” and “Tattoo” – Qualified
- Isa-Mae Lyle – “Back to Black” and “Arcade” – Not qualified
In the second round, the two qualifying acts performed a cover that they had already showcased in previous weeks of the competition. Caleb performed “I Will Always Love You”, while Naomi sang “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going”. Since the jury could not agree on a single winner, Caleb and Naomi were both crowned as the winners of the night.
All the Junior Eurovision 2026 are now released
The 16 songs that will be performed in this year’s contest have been officially released. These are the songs and the running order of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026, set to take place in Ta’ Qali on October 24th, are as follows:
| Running Order | Country | Artist | Entry |
| 1 | Netherlands | Maria | “Stronger Together” |
| 2 | Cyprus | Harry Georgiou | “Who I Can Be” |
| 3 | Portugal | Salvador Rio | “Alma” |
| 4 | Montenegro | Mija Mujović | “Muzika Nas Spaja” |
| 5 | San Marino | Violamarie | “Ruota Panoramica” |
| 6 | France | Alec | “Comment Tu Vas ?” |
| 7 | Poland | Wiktor Sas | “Gravity” |
| 8 | Armenia | Naré | “BOO!” |
| 9 | Malta | Beppe | “Blue Bird” |
| 10 | Italy | Matteo Trullu | “Che Cos’è l’Amore?” |
| 11 | Ukraine | Erika Kolasnichenko | “NE Kolyskova” |
| 12 | North Macedonia | Ana Stojanoska | “Idnata Jas” |
| 13 | Ireland | Caleb Kirwan & Naomi Gribben | “NÃos Láidre” |
| 14 | Albania | Eslin Kurti | “Kërce Me Mua” |
| 15 | Georgia | Davit Lomidze | “Sun on the Rooftops” |
| 16 | Spain | Lucas Paulano | “Cuore Bello (Te Quiero, Te Quiero)” |
Ireland’s Junior Eurovision journey
Ireland first participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2015. Debuting 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 eight times. Their best placement came in 2022, when Sophie Lennon finished in fourth place with her song “Solas”.
In 2025, Lottie O’Driscoll Murray sang “Rúin ” for Ireland. She placed last, receiving 3 points from the jury and 41 from the online vote.
Do you like “NÃos Láidre”? As always, let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Junior Eurovision 2026!
News Source: TG4
Photo Credit: TG4