The Junior Eurovision Éire semi-final has taken place in Ireland, with the three finalists decided.
Over the last few weeks, a total of eight qualifiers were chosen to continue in the competition. From those eight qualifiers, just three were selected in the semi-final to continue through to next week’s final. The competitors performed covers of popular English-language songs in Irish, as they have in previous episodes. The judging panel selected two qualifiers, with the third being decided after a sing-off. Unlike the previous shows, points weren’t given to the competitors, just the results.
The jury consists of Gráinne Bleasdale, who returns for the second year as well as Chris Greene and a guest juror each week. This week’s guest juror was Niamh Kavanagh, who represented Ireland in 1993 where she won the contest, and she represented the nation again in 2010.
Here is the line-up:
- Anna Kearney – This Is Me
- Alison McGrath – Stay With Me
- Caoimhe McBride – Waiting for Love
- Seisear Séiseach – Pompeii
- Savannah Phoenix-Munroe – The Circle of Life
- Arabella Dolan -Friday I’m in Love
- Orla McDermott – Hold Back the River
- Skye Murphy Darrer – Shake it Off
Anna Kearney and Savannah Phoenix-Munroe were selected as the direct qualifiers, while Alison McGrath and Orla McDermott featured in the final sing-off. From there, Orla McDermott was selected as the third finalist.
The final will take place on the 6th of October where the winner will be decided. The song that the winner will sing at Junior Eurovision will be revealed after the final.