The first heat of the Irish Junior Eurovision selection has taken place, with the first qualifiers decided. The show was hosted by Louise Cantillon.
Similar to previous editions of the competition, the results will be decided by a jury panel. Two of the judges will be permanent fixtures, and they are:
- Niamh Ní Chróinín – Radio presenter, manager of Irish-language youth radio station Raidió Rí-Rá
- Fiachna Ó Braonáin – Member of Hothouse Flowers (interval act at Eurovision 1988), judge on Junior Eurovision Éire between 2016 and 2018, composer of the Irish Junior Eurovision song of 2019
The guest judge this week was Niamh Kavanagh, who previously represented Ireland in 1993 and 2010, winning the former.
Each of the participants performed popular songs in Irish. Judges could score up to 10 stars for each artist. The artist with the highest score would go directly to the semi-final, while the next two highest scorers progressed to a sing-off. After performing, the judges chose the second semi-finalist.
- Eva Norton: “This Is Me” – 28 stars
- Ronan Spencer: “Always” – 27 stars
- Lilyella Buckley: “Someone You Loved” – 29 stars
- Orla McDermott: “Ghost” – 28 stars
- Katie Hardiman: “Catch and Release” – 27 stars
- Aimee and Grace Gillard: “Feel It Again” – 24 stars
- Saoirse Garrihy – “Shape of You” – 22 stars
Qualifying directly to the semi-final was Lilyella Buckley. Eva Norton and Orla McDermott progressed to the sing-off, with the judges ultimately choosing Eva.