The first details have been announced surrounding Ireland’s selection process for Junior Eurovision 2023! Once again, TG4 (Ireland’s Irish-language broadcaster) will take the reins, renewing their Junior Eurovision selection show Junior Eurovision Éire for another season.
Longtime presenter Louise Cantillon returns to host the show, joined again by fellow host Darragh Ó Caoimh, after his debut last year.
Since its debut at Junior Eurovision in 2015, Ireland has yet to win the competition. However, last year marked a momentous achievement for Ireland: in a historic result, Sophie Lennon’s performance of ‘Solas’ achieved Ireland’s best-ever placement at the junior Contest, coming fourth overall.
Following last year’s tremendous success, it appears that TG4 will continue to follow the same format for the show. Over the course of six weeks, talented young contestants from around Ireland will compete for the opportunity to represent their country in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place this December in Nice, France.
As part of the competition, entrants must perform Irish-language covers of songs of their choice. Contestants progress through rounds judged by a panel of permanent judges. These panelists are also joined by a rotating cast of guest judges from Irish Eurovision history. This year, Niamh Ní Chróinín returns as a permanent judge, alongside newcomer to the show Aindriú de Paor.
Ní Chróinín is known for championing the Irish language for young people, hosting both the radio station Raidió Rí-Rá and children’s programmes on Cúla4. De Paor has worked with RTÉ, RTÉ 2FM radio and TG4 as a sports presenter.
Last year, multiple familiar faces from the adult Contest appeared as guest judges — these were:
- Linda Martin (runner-up in 1984 with ‘Terminal 3’, winner of Eurovision 1983 with ‘Why Me?’)
- Ryan O’Shaughnessy (2018, ‘Together’)
- Niamh Kavanagh (winner of 1993 with ‘In Your Eyes’, also participated in 2010 with ‘It’s For You’).
- Paul Harrington (winner of 1994 with ‘Rock n’ Roll Kids’)
- Brian Kennedy (2006, ‘Every Song is a Cry for Love’)
- Brooke Scullion (2022, ‘That’s Rich’)
Brooke Scullion, Ireland’s 2022 entrant, is the first confirmed guest judge for Junior Eurovision Éire 2023. Image: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett
Of these, Brooke Scullion has so far been confirmed to return to Junior Eurovision Éire this year.
A public vote will again be held to determine the winner of the Junior Eurovision Éire final. After a winner is selected, a song will be specially composed for them to perform at Junior Eurovision 2023 in Nice.
Dates have not yet been announced for the six weeks of Junior Eurovision Éire, but the show can be expected at some time this Autumn.
Will #YOU be tuning in to Junior Eurovision Éire? What would you like to see Ireland bring to Junior Eurovision 2023? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, on our social media @ESCUnited, our forum, or our Discord server!
