Our Best of the Bunch series continues, but this time, we’re crossing over between the two main formats of Eurovision, the Eurovision Song Contest and the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. The concept is simple, we take the Eurovision and Junior Eurovision entries of a certain year and put them up against each other in a poll to find out which is your Best of the Bunch! Our focus will be between 2016 and 2018, so let’s find out who you think is the Best of the Bunch!
2016
Eurovision:
Ireland were in the midst of a non-qualification streak, failing to qualify with Can-Linn and Molly Sterling the previous two years. The Irish broadcaster pulled out a ‘big name’ to represent the nation in 2016, with that being Westlife member, Nicky Byrne. Despite the efforts, Ireland still failed to qualify, finishing in 15th place in the semi-final with the song Sunlight.
Junior Eurovision:
Ireland were still very new to Junior Eurovision, having only made their debut the year prior. Zena Donnelly was chosen to represent the nation through a national selection with a song written and composed by Zena herself, titled Bríce ar Bhríce (Brick by Brick). Unlike Eurovision, we get to see a bit more cultural identity with the use of the Irish language, which we have seen in each of the Irish entries to date. Zena Donnelly finished in 10th place, which is the only Top 10 finish for Ireland to date at Junior Eurovision.
Which is your Best of the Bunch? Vote below!
2017
Eurovision:
With the non-qualification streak continuing, the pressure was on to return to their former Eurovision glory. Once again an internal selection was used to select their act, and this time they selected Brendan Murray, another former boyband member, to try boost Ireland’s results at the contest. He performed the ballad, Dying to Try in the second semi-final, which unfortunately again missed the final, finishing 13th with 86 points.
Junior Eurovision:
Ireland continued with their national selection for Junior Eurovision, and the result of that national final was that Muireann McDonnell would be performing at Junior Eurovision for Ireland’s third appearance. Her song was called Súile Glasa, which she co-wrote the lyrics. The song was awarded a total of 54 points, which put Ireland in 15th place at the contest.
Which is your Best of the Bunch? Vote below:
2018
Eurovision:
This was the year that Ireland would break their non-qualification streak at Eurovision, and it all came down to Ryan O’Shaughnessy and his song Together. It was similar in style to the previous entry by Brendan Murray, however the meaning of the song mixed with the moving stage performance resonated with the voters, and Ireland qualified into the final from 6th place. Although it rose in the odds, Ireland didn’t make the Top 10, finishing in 16th place overall.
Junior Eurovision:
In total contrast to Ryan O’Shaughnessy’s ballad, we saw an upbeat pop number represent Ireland at Junior Eurovision performed by the charismatic Taylor Hynes. It was very retro inspired, which we saw in both the music video (which Ryan made a cameo in) and the stage performance. Despite the growing popularity among fans, we saw Ireland replicate their previous results with 15th place overall.
Which is your Best of the Bunch? Vote below: