Ireland fails to qualify for the Eurovision final
Ireland's Eurovision journey has come to an end for 2025, with EMMY failing to qualify for Saturday's Grand Final in Basel.
The Norwegian-born singer performed Laika Party, a playful tribute to the Soviet space dog, in tonight's second semi-final but didn't make it through to the next stage of the competition.
It marks a disappointing result following Ireland's return to the final last year with Bambie Thug, and means the country will not be represented in this year's Grand Final, watched annually by millions around the world.
The ten finalists are:
Lithuania
Israel
Armenia
Denmark
Austria
Luxembourg
Finland
Latvia
Malta
Greece
More to follow...
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Dublin Live
7 hours ago
- Dublin Live
Irish actor hits back at Conor McGregor following 'bottler' jibe
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Conor McGregor has found himself in a Twitter row with 'Game of Thrones' actor Liam Cunningham following the capture of an aid ship headed for Gaza. The yacht, which counts activist Greta Thunberg among its 12-person crew, was seized by Israeli forces early Monday morning and is currently being escorted to an Israeli port, as confirmed by officials. The boat, known as Madleen, is part of the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition's efforts to deliver aid to Gaza and highlight the escalating humanitarian crisis there. Setting sail from Sicily just last week, Madleen had Cunningham in attendance at its send-off. Cunningham, the Dublin-born star, has been openly critical of the Irish Government's handling of the Gaza humanitarian situation, reports the Irish Mirror. Last week, he argued that the Irish Navy should be safeguarding the vessel carrying aid, claiming these charitable endeavours are stepping in where governments have not. Cunningham said: "They are doing the job that we are supposed to be doing, the people who are supposed to respect international law." He added: "There should be a flotilla of Irish naval vessels standing up for our international law and treating international law with the respect it deserves, not this wonderful, disparate group of people who have got together to put their lives in danger because they're not being backed up. "There should be a European force circling that boat to ensure that they get there, because that is their legal responsibility." (Image: Fabrizio Villa, Getty Images) The news that the flotilla had been stopped by Israeli forces in the early hours of Monday sparked outrage on social media, with the 64-year-old actor expressing his fury online. He wrote: "The Freedom flotilla was attacked during the night. The ship was rammed, boarded and the 12 volunteers kidnapped. This is more reprehensible behaviour from the genocidal regime in Tel Aviv." UFC star McGregor seemed to taunt Cunningham for not being part of the voyage himself, replying to the actor's post with a jibe. McGregor teased: "I thought you were on this boat Liamo, what happened? You forgot your goggles? You get sea sick off the gargle? Bottler." However, Cunningham didn't hold back in his response to McGregor, firing back with a sharp retort. Cunningham hit back at McGregor, saying: "Didn't know you could read and write Conor. Thought you used your hands to tap out." The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has stated that the activists aboard the Madleen were "kidnapped by Israeli forces" as they attempted to bring much-needed aid to the beleaguered area. "The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo - including baby formula, food and medical supplies -confiscated," the coalition declared in a statement. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Bobby George: Eric Bristow could be a pain in the a**e, but his death hit me hard… he was only 60 for f***'s sake
BOBBY GEORGE has opened up on the passing of his great rival Eric Bristow - and admits he warned the darts great to slow down. Bristow 3 Bobby George (left) and Eric Bristow faced off over the decades at the oche Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 The two darts stars were mates from their teenage years Credit: Action Images 3 Bristow was a five-time world champ and beat George in the 1980 final Credit: PA:Empics Sport George, 79, and Bristow was the face of darts in that era, winning five BDO World Championship titles. He was also known for his George, who met Bristow as a teenager, remembers: "He could be a pain in the a***, READ MORE ON DARTS "We had some right ding-dongs over the years. "But for most of the time, he was my mate and we had some great times together." Bristow memorably beat George in the 1980 World Championship final. It was Bristow's first crown, with the Hackney-born star going on to repeat the trick in 1981, 1984, 1985 and 1986. Most read in Darts BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK King of Bling was somewhat in Bristow's shadow, winning two major BDO titles during his career. And he was left stunned by Darts icon Bobby George claims Phil Taylor couldn't beat Luke Littler 'even in his heyday' He wrote in his autobiography: "Eric Bristow's death hit me hard. "He was only 60 for f***'s sake. That's no age these days, is it? "I had known him since he was a teenager – and he never changed." George admits Bristow wasn't one to follow health advice - despite trying to give it to him. He continued: "Anyone who knew him was aware that he didn't exactly lead a healthy lifestyle. When I go, I'll go like that. Bang. Eric Bristow "For as long as I'd known him, he was a heavy smoker, always rolling his own. "And he would think nothing of getting through 15 or 16 pints of Guinness in a day, rounding it all off with a curry. "Nobody's body can handle that day in, day out. "I'd say, 'You smoke and you drink too much.' "He said, 'I know all about that, Bob. But put it this way – no one is going to be pushing me around in a wheelchair. When I go, I'll go like that. Bang.' "And he f***ing did as well. Bang."
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Country star Michael English on how Louis Walsh's mother played key role in music career
The top entertainer was the favourite Irish singer of Maureen Walsh, who died this week at the age of 94 Louis Walsh looks on as the remains of his mother Maureen are taken from church Country music star Michael English told yesterday how Louis Walsh's mother played a key role in one of the biggest highlights of his career. The top entertainer was the favourite Irish singer of Maureen Walsh, who died this week at the age of 94 and whose funeral took place in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo. And Michael English gave his final performance for Maureen when he was chosen to sing at her funeral service on Thursday, where the attendance included Westlife stars Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne, plus Eurovision winner Dana. Michael says: 'It was a huge honour to sing at it with the Kiltimagh Parish Choir. I was looking down the church and seeing the Westlife lads and seeing Dana and all these other singers, so it was a great privilege to get the opportunity to do it for Maureen. Kian Egan and wife Jodi Albert with Louis Walsh 'Maureen and her daughters Sarah and Evelyn and other members of the Walsh family used to come to my shows in the early days. 'And the first time I met Maureen she told me I was her favourite singer. It was around 2008 and I was a bit younger at the time and a bit chuffed that Louis Walsh's mother was into what I did. Family and friends of Maureen Walsh attend her funeral Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 June 2025 'Maureen was just a lovely country woman who reminded me of my own mother. We struck up a little bond and she said, 'I'm going to get Louis to ring you now and see if he can help you in any way.' 'I thought no more of it, but sure enough Louis did ring me and we arranged to meet up. We had a good chat and I found Louis to be very similar to the rest of his family. I thought he was going to be completely different, but we got on like a house on fire.' Shane Filanwas among the mourners Louis went on to land a major record deal for English with Sony Music – and Michael ended up recording with British producer Nigel Wright, whose work includes the score for The Phantom of the Opera. 'It was a huge experience for me at such a young age and also a huge thrill to be working with Nigel because I'd been a massive fan of The Phantom of the Opera and have seen it about 15 times,' Michael says. 'Nigel arranged for me to go backstage one time to see the workings of it and the illusions that were created by magician Paul Daniels. Dana was among the mourners 'So as well as getting the opportunity to record two great albums I was living the dream – and it was Maureen who had made all that happen for me. 'I would go on to concentrate on the country music scene, but Louis had been great to me while we worked together.' Maureen had been living with Alzheimer's for 12 years before she died. 'I went to see her a few times in the nursing home,' Michael says. 'I was so fond of her and she was a very much loved person in the area, not just because her son was on The X Factor but because of who she was. Louis Walsh looks on as the remains of his mother Maureen are taken from church 'Her house was open to everybody. I was in the house a hundred times and it reminded me of my house, when people would come into my mother she'd say 'will you have a cup of tea?' and she'd take every different kind of biscuit out of the press. 'Louis's mother was like that. She ran an open house and a very welcoming house,' Michael adds.
