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Junior Eurovision 2024: The music video of “La Chéile” released!

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Just two days ago, Enya Cox Dempsey emerged winner of Junior Eurovision Éire 2024 and will therefore represent Ireland in Junior Eurovision 2024. A few hours ago the music video of the Irish entry “La Chéile” was released and uploaded on the broadcaster’s official YouTube channel.

You can watch the music video of “La Chéile“, below:

How was Enya Cox Dempsey selected?

Three artists competed for the Irish representation in Junior Eurovision Éire 2024 final.

The final consisted of two competitive rounds:

  • During the first round, the three finalists performed two covers, including one from the Eurovision Song Contest. The judging panel, including Niamh Ní Chróinín, Tadhg Ó Gríofa, and Linda Martin, selected Lottie O’Driscoll Murray and Enya Cox Dempsey to advance to the second round.
  • In the second round, the two remaining finalists performed “Le chéile,” the song chosen by RTÉ as the country’s entry to Junior Eurovision 2024.

Following the committee’s decision, Enya Cox Dempsey was named the winner of Junior Eurovision Éire 2024 and will thus represent the country at the 22nd Junior Eurovision Song Contest with “Le chéile.”

Who is Enya Cox Dempsey?

Enya comes from the town of Castlecomer in County Kilkenny, where she lives with Mum Róisín and the family dog Pip. The young star has performed in lots of shows and pantomimes all her life, and it’s her dream to win Junior Eurovision for Ireland.

A girl of many talents, she’s recently taken up playing the drums – much to Róisín’s delight, as the drums are set up in her bedroom. Enya loves rock ‘n’ roll and her favourite artists are Lana Del Rey, the Deftones and Metallica, and she loves singing along to Queen.

Junior Eurovision 2024

Seventeen countries will take part in the 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest:

  1. Italy – RAI
  2. Estonia – ERR
  3. Albania – RTSH
  4. Armenia – AMPTV
  5. Cyprus – RIK
  6. France – FT
  7. North Macedonia – MRT
  8. Poland – TVP
  9. Georgia – GPB
  10. Spain – RTVE
  11. Germany – ARD/NDR
  12. Netherlands – AVROTROS
  13. San Marino – RTV San Marino
  14. Ukraine – UA:PBC
  15. Portugal – RTP
  16. Ireland – TG4
  17. Malta – PBS

The 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held on November 16 in Madrid, Spain, following the country’s second-place finish last year and the refusal of the winning country, France, to host for the second year in a row. The slogan for this year’s contest is “Let’s Bloom!”, while Ruth Lorenzo, Marc Clotet and Melani Garcia will serve as this year’s hosts.

Ireland with Enya Cox Dempsey will perform sixteenth.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news! 

Junior Eurovision 2024: Enya Cox Dempsey will represent Ireland in Madrid!

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Today it was Ireland’s turn to select their entry for Junior Eurovision 2024. Just a while ago, Junior Eurovision Éire, the Irish national selection for Junior Eurovision 2024, was concluded. Junior Eurovision Éire served for another year as the country’s representative selection method for the children’s contest and was broadcasted from Dublin, Ireland.

Hosted by Louise Cantillon and following the votes of a jury exclusively, Enya Cox Dempsey was crowned as the winner.

After three heats featuring cover songs performed by the young competing artists, the jury selected three to move on straight to the final. Therefore, the following three artists competed for the Irish representation in Junior Eurovision Éire 2024 final:

  • Lottie O’Driscoll Murray
  • Enya Cox Dempsey
  • Isla McManus

The final consisted of two competitive rounds:

  • During the first round, the three finalists performed two covers, including one from the Eurovision Song Contest. The judging panel, including Niamh Ní Chróinín, Tadhg Ó Gríofa, and Linda Martin, selected Lottie O’Driscoll Murray and Enya Cox Dempsey to advance to the second round.
  • In the second round, the two remaining finalists performed “Le chéile,” the song chosen by RTÉ as the country’s entry to Junior Eurovision 2024.

Following the committee’s decision, Enya Cox Dempsey was named the winner of Junior Eurovision Éire 2024 and will thus represent the country at the 22nd Junior Eurovision Song Contest with “Le chéile.”

Junior Eurovision 2024

Seventeen countries will take part in the 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest:

  1. Italy – RAI
  2. Estonia – ERR
  3. Albania – RTSH
  4. Armenia – AMPTV
  5. Cyprus – RIK
  6. France – FT
  7. North Macedonia – MRT
  8. Poland – TVP
  9. Georgia – GPB
  10. Spain – RTVE
  11. Germany – ARD/NDR
  12. Netherlands – AVROTROS
  13. San Marino – RTV San Marino
  14. Ukraine – UA:PBC
  15. Portugal – RTP
  16. Ireland – RTÉ
  17. Malta – PBS

The 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held on November 16 in Madrid, Spain, following the country’s second-place finish last year and the refusal of the winning country, France, to host for the second year in a row. The slogan for this year’s contest is “Let’s Bloom!”, while Ruth Lorenzo, Marc Clotet and Melani Garcia will serve as this year’s hosts.

Ireland with Enya Cox Dempsey will perform sixteenth.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news! 

RTÉ has launched the search for Ireland’s entry to the 69th Eurovision Song Contest

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Following the impressive performance of Bambie Thug in Malmö in 2024, the next entry has big shoes to fill. The submission process for the Eurovision 2025 is now open, giving artists an 8-week window, from Monday 23 September to 18:00 CET on Monday 18 November.

Ireland’s 2024 entry, “Doomsday Blue”, not only secured 6th place – the country’s best result since 2000 – but also received international praise. The song has over 24 million streams on Spotify, and its Grand Final performance has been viewed more than 9.4 million times on YouTube.

Michael Kealy, Ireland’s Head of Delegation, highlighted that Eurovision is a unique opportunity for artists to make a name on the global stage, encouraging musicians from across the country to submit their entries.

For more details you can check RTE’s official website for Eurovision Song Contest.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Ireland: RTÉ unable to host Eurovision in the future?

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The ability of the Irish public broadcaster RTE to organize televised events of great significance will be greatly affected by the changes currently made. Therefore, in the event that Ireland wins the competition again, a potential Eurovision hosting will be in danger.

Significant changes in RTÉ

RTE’s CEO revealed new plans that include selling off a significant portion of the Irish public broadcaster’s real estate and mobile assets in addition to shifting some of its programming to outside producers. RTE will no longer be able to cover significant events on their own, like Queen Elizabeth’s passing or the Pope’s visit to Ireland, according to a source associated with the organization.

Many RTE staff members are concerned about the widespread privatization of public television, as there is no similar case nowhere in Europe. RTE leaving EBU is not a likely scenario, according to the EBU, but it does state that the network’s “ability or inability” to host important events like Eurovision might be experienced in the future.

Moreover, plans also call for hiring outside producers to run well-known programs like “The Late Late Show“. Considering that “The Late Late Show” serves as the national selection format for Eurovision, it is currently unclear how the representatives of Ireland will be chosen in the future.

RTE’s response

When questioned about the issue, a representative for RTÉ stated that significant events like the Eurovision Song Contest “would always be produced through a combination of RTÉ staff and suitably qualified people working in the freelance community“. The spokesperson stated that:

This model is a standard practice across the industry and applies to all public service broadcasters where there is an in-house staff base.

Given that Ireland has not won the Eurovision since 1996, or hosted it since 1997 – 27 years ago – any future hosting would represent a special event which would require a core RTÉ team plus additional freelance resources.

This year, Bambie Thug represented Ireland in Malmö with their song “Doomsday Blue“, finishing sixth and bringing Ireland back to the top ten after thirteen years.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: evoke

Eurovision 2024: Ireland’s First Rehearsal!

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Next up onstage for their first rehearsal in Malmö Arena is Bambie Thug from Ireland with the unique song ”Doomsday Blue”!

Who is Bambie Thug?

Bambie Thug breaks gender and socio-political stereotypes to create a sound that defines its time, with elements of pop, rock, electronic and more.

“Doomsday Blue” speaks to the feeling of overlooking your potential and is an ode to the queer community.

Bambie is no stranger to the big stage, having torn up stages at festivals around the world, including Download Festival, The Great Escape and Trans Musicales, earning critical acclaim.

The Rehearsal

Bambie is inside a circle of candles, wearing a black dress with a tutu skirt and shoulder horns. Their usual dramatic white face makeup is topped with hair styled into antlers. There’s also a bare-chested dancer giving centaur vibes, who accompanies Bambie in some balletic choreography.

In the final section the candle circle raises up, and the big screamo finish concludes with a graphic backdrop of CROWN THE WITCH. Pure Eurovision theatre, and testament to the diversity of musical styles we’re going to see at Eurovision this year.

PYRO UPDATE: In the final run-through there is both low-level ground smoke throughout, AND our first flame jets of the day, right at the end. We are twenty metres from the stage and can feel the heat.

Bamble Thug from Ireland - Eurovision 2024 first rehearsal

Bamble Thug from Ireland – Eurovision 2024 first rehearsal

The second rehearsal of Ireland will take place on Wednesday May 1st, when we will have a better picture of what we will see from Bambie Thug on the Eurovision stage, as we will have the official TV snippet.

Below you can watch a small clip from Ireland’s first rehearsal from TikTok:

@eurovision @Bambie has cast hues of Doomsday Blue onto the Malmö Arena stage #Eurovision2024 ♬ original sound – Eurovision

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Irish participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Source: eurovision.tv

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Ireland: Watch the official music video of “Doomsday Blue” by Bambie Thug!

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Earlier today, the official music video of “Doomsday Blue” by Bambie Thug for Eurovision 2024, was released on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.

Bambie Thug won the national final of Ireland, conducted by RTÉ, taking place through the show “The Late Late Show“ with their song “Doomsday Blue”.

You can watch Bambie Thug’s music video for Eurovision 2024 in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGRXRrlIspY

Ireland will take part in the first half of the first semi-final of Eurovision 2024, on May 7!

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Irish participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Source: eurovision.tv

Ireland: The head of delegation does not support the boycott of Israel in Eurovision 2024!

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After the statements of the public broadcasters of Norway and Denmark, now also the Irish head of delegation, expresses his opposition to the boycott of Israel in Eurovision 2024.

Speaking on the Eurotrippodcast, Michael Kealy who is the head of Ireland’s Eurovision delegation, agreed with the EBU’s decision and against any boycott of Israel in the contest.

This is not competition between governments – it is competition between public broadcasters. The public broadcaster in Israel is an independent broadcaster like RTÉ. It is independent of the government – it is not Netanyahu’s mouthpiece.

Michael Kealy is also opposed to Ireland withdrawing from the contest because of Israel’s participation in it.

There are many calls to withdraw from Eurovision because Israel is participating in it. This would set a very dangerous precedent if we do this at RTÉ because we are not a political organisation, we are a public broadcaster. I’m not in favor of that.

Ireland make their national selection during a special edition of The Late Late Show on 26 January.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Eurotrippodcast

Ireland: Songs for Eurosong 2024 will be revealed starting on January 8th!

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Eurosong 2024 will be used as the country’s national selection format for Eurovision 2024. A total of approximately 380 entries were submitted to RTÉ, vying for the Irish representation in Malmö.

A jury consisting the Head of Delegation and other experts listened to the submissions and is now ready to present the six entries that will fight in order to win the ticket for Eurovision.

According to Éirevision, the participating songs in Eurosong 2024 will be revealed starting on January 8 and during the week, via the “Ray D’Arcy Show“, which airs daily between 16:00 and 17:30 CET on RTÉ Radio 1.

Eurosong 2024

Except the number of the competing entries, no other information regarding the format of the selection process has been disclosed yet. Six entries will compete for the Irish representation in Malmö, while the most likely scenario is that the contest will take place as usual during the Late Late Show.

In 2023, Ireland was represented by Wild Youth and the song “We Are One”, not making it to the Grand Final, for the fourth year in a row.

https://youtu.be/80-4_rjW10U

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Ιreland: RTÉ is asked to boycott Eurovision 2024 because of Israel’s involvement!

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Following the reveal of the participants’ list in Eurovision 2024, several backlash was made regarding Israel’s participation regardless the ongoing war. Along with the petition on Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland asking RUV to boycott the contest, RTÉ, the Irish national broadcaster, has also received a petition to withdraw from the contest too.

In fact, RTÉ has received approximately 465 emails calling to “immediately withdraw support and participation in the contest next year, if Israel is permitted to compete”.

According to this petition, in case Ireland participates in the contest alongside with Israel, it means that the nation supports the atrocities currently being carried out by Israel in Palestine.

Moreover, the protestors also state that Israel’s participation is a tool used by the country’s government in order to portray itself as a modern, liberal, forward-thinking state, despite the years of occupation and violence against Palestine.

It is also noted that the protestors are aware that Ireland’s boycott will not bring the end of the atrocities but it will serve as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling the nation to use its voice as to condemn the actions of the Israeli government. Thus, it is similar to the message of solidarity sent by Europe to Ukraine in 2022 during the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The petition of the Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland to RÚV

A few days ago the Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland opposed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2024 unless Israel is disqualified. Via their petition they stated the following:

The board of FTT, an association of composers and lyricists, calls on RÚV not to participate in Eurovision in 2024 unless Israel is denied participation in the competition on the same grounds as Russia in the last competition. We all have a duty to take a stand against war and the killing of civilians and innocent children. We always have the choice not to put our name to such things, whether we are individuals or state institutions. We owe it to the nations that act with military force to not share with them in an event that is always characterized by joy and optimism.

The reaction of RTÉ and EBU

RTÉ takes into account the petition and the protests but it does not seem that neither RTÉ nor any other EBU member will take action, boycotting the contest. Specifically, an RTÉ’s spokesperson mentions:

RTÉ has always approached the event in the spirit in which it was founded – which is a non-political contest designed to unite audiences and bring people together through a shared love of music and entertainment.

and

RTÉ is not aware of any participating Public Service Broadcaster who is planning to boycott the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

Furthermore, EBU responds to the protestors stating that the Union itself serves as an alliance of public service media organizations and hence the Eurovision Song Contest is a competition for broadcasters – not governments.

Regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024 EBU, via a spokesperson, claims that:

We are a member-led organisation. The governing bodies of the European Broadcasting Union represent the membership.

These bodies have reviewed the participants list and agreed that the Israeli public broadcaster KAN meets all the competition rules and can participate in the Contest next year in Malmö, Sweden, alongside 36 other broadcasters.

Protests against Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024 are growing in Europe, though this is not the first time. When Tel Aviv hosted the contest in 2019, there were numerous petitions circulated throughout Europe in order to boycott the event, but none were successful.

 

What do you think? Will any of EBU members decide to boycott the 68th Eurovision Song Contest? Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all news!

Source: The Journal

Junior Eurovision 2023: The Irish representative has been decided!

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As Junior Eurovision 2023 draws ever closer, it’s Ireland’s turn to announce the artist who will represent the country next month in Nice.

Jessica McKean was crowned the winner of the Junior Eurovision Éire 2023 national final, which was broadcast last night, having earlier been filmed at the RTÉ studios in Dublin. The result was determined entirely by public vote, after each contestant was tasked to perform two songs, an irish-language cover of a popular song and a cover of a former Irish Eurovision entry.

The song that Jessica will perform in Nice will be specially written for her and is expected to be revealed at a later date.

Ireland managed to achieve their best result at Junior Eurovision last year, as Sophie Lennon finished in 4th place with the song “Solas”.

https://youtu.be/P4oMG2EKF8Q

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all news regarding our favorite contest!