Eurovision fans let thoughts be known as Ireland's Emmy splits opinion
Ireland's Emmy has taken to the Eurovision stage, fighting to secure a coveted spot in Saturday's grand final. The stakes are high as 15 countries battle it out for just 10 places, and the tension in the arena in Basel, Switzerland is palpable to even viewers at home.
Emmy's performance was a spectacle to behold. Standing atop a silver spaceship, clad in an equally silver pleated skirt, she captured the crowd's attention from the moment she appeared. Her brother stood just below her, quietly playing the keyboard, while four dancers energised the stage with sharp, synchronised moves.
Ireland seemingly knocked it out of the park, eliciting a great reception from the audience in the arena - and if that's anything to go by, Ireland could well be on its way to the final.
The Norwegian singer is proudly representing Ireland with her song Laika Party - a heartfelt tribute to Laika, the Soviet dog who became the first canine in space back in 1957. Inspired by Laika's tragic story, Emmy reimagines her fate as an endless, joyous party among the stars, turning sorrow into celebration.
However, Emmy faces tough odds tonight. Bookmakers place her at 4/6 to miss out on the final and just 11/10 to qualify, ranking behind 11 of the 15 competing nations.
With the show still ongoing, Eurovision fans have been quick to share their thoughts on social media - and Ireland's entry has certainly divided opinion. On the positive side, many viewers praised the striking visuals and emotional depth of the performance.
One person said: "Love the color effects during Emmys song. Hope that Ireland gets to the final this Saturday. If Emmy doesn't go through to the final this Saturday night then we have some explaining to go through."
Another added: "Ireland turning Laika the space dog into a space DJ is the kind of chaotic kindness Eurovision was made for."
Someone else wrote: "I'm listening to a seemingly upbeat song, but I feel so sad because it's not really a happy song. Sending Laika to the space is one of the most unforgivable and most ridiculous thing human being did in the name of "science" Props to Ireland for sending this to the #Eurovision."
A fourth shared: "Great performance from Emmy It's the first time I connected with the song."
Others said: "Ireland giving a masterclass in how staging can really elevate a song", "Loving the electropop/bubblegum vibes from Ireland" and "IRELAND is easily sailing throughhhhhh!!"
But not all were convinced. Critics found the staging too static and the song less engaging. One person said: "On further reflections of Ireland, I'm wondering whether Emmy staying in place for 3 mins and relying purely on the dancers makes its too static? Especially with Latvia following and Luxembourg later on to follow."
Another wrote: "ireland what was that.." Someone else sarcastically shared: "Go Ireland….give us nothing!!"
A fourth person said: "That was horrendous the song for Ireland."
Another shared: "My opinion so far in the 2nd semi-final: Australia: rubbish Montenegro: rubbish Ireland: mediocre Latvia: confusing Armenia: hunky & noisy."
With such mixed reactions, it seems that Emmy's Laika Party has left a strong impression. The final results will reveal if Ireland's bold, space-themed tribute can capture enough votes to blast off into the Eurovision final on Saturday night.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
From ‘Mean Girl' Trump to Musk leading a Russian coup – internet's best reactions to the explosive Don v Elon clash
ELON Musk sent the internet into a crazy spiral on Thursday as he publicly lashed out at former friend Donald Trump on X. The US president was quick to hit back at the Tesla boss with several bitter barbs of his own as their Advertisement 15 Elon Musk sent the internet into a crazy spiral on Thursday as he publicly lashed out at former friend Donald Trump on X Credit: AFP 15 Social media exploded as Trump and Musk publicly went at each other online Credit: X 15 Some described it as 'the MAGA powers exploding' in a clever call back to one of the most iconic wrestling feuds between Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage Credit: X The internet had been eagerly watching the nuclear dispute as it unfolded after Trump hit back on Truth Social saying Elon was "wearing thin" around the White House. He later warned the US government could end all federal contracts with Musk's companies if the insults continued to fly. Here are social media's best reactions to the intense clash between the two mega powers. Advertisement READ MORE IN MUSK VS TRUMP Mean girl Trump Famous 2004 film Mean Girls has managed to create a long lasting legacy online with the Trump/Musk feud now even being linked to the movie. The picture shared online is taken from the perspective of Musk who is looking at the iconic "Burn Book" from the film. 15 Trump's face has been added to the page in place of Mean Girl's villain Regina George Credit: X Trump's face has been added to the page in place of Mean Girl's villain Regina George. Advertisement The text above the image is the exact same as in the movie which says: "This girl is the nastiest skank b***h I've ever met. Do NOT TRUST HER. She is a fugly s***!" Most read in The US Sun Trump's Stalinist purge One of the quickest memes to emerge from the explosive fallout was an expertly AI generated image of a steely-faced Trump dressed as Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin. A smiley Musk was stood next to him. But a second image posted alongside it showed Musk suddenly disappearing from the picture. Advertisement The two-part joke was hinting at a possible 15 A clever AI generated image portrayed Trump as Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin and Musk as one of his purged officials Credit: X 15 The real picture of Stalin which was edited with the faces of Musk and Trump Credit: Alamy The purge - also known as the Great Terror - is a damning historical period which saw Stalin axe dozens of his political allies in the Soviet Union. Advertisement Any threat to Stalin's regime was made to go through sham trials which resulted in them being removed from any form of power. The government claimed they were getting rid of suspected party dissenters . The meme was posted shortly after Trump announced on Truth Social that he in fact asked Musk to leave his role within the US government. The president said the SpaceX chief was "wearing thin" and "went crazy" during his final weeks close to the White House. Advertisement Musk's Russian-style coup Musk is a famously persuasive man with him even claiming on Thursday he is the main reason why America re-elected Trump. This created a whole load of hilarious comments and tweets on X as some jokingly ordered Musk to launch a coup on Washington. One of the viral posts featured an image of the billionaire in a khaki jacket pointing at the camera. 15 One of the viral posts featured an image of the billionaire in a khaki jacket pointing at the camera Credit: X Advertisement 15 The pose was an echo of Wagner leader Prigozhin when he launched a botched coup on Moscow 15 Musk claimed on Thursday he is the main reason why America re-elected Trump Credit: X The pose and outfit had a striking similarity to Wagner group leader Prigozhin who launched a botched coup against Putin by marching on Moscow. It was followed by the caption: "Reports that Muskovite forces led by Elon Musk are preparing to march on Washington." Advertisement The term Muskovite has been used before by Russian state television. In October 2023, they hailed the world's richest man after he posted a meme of himself ridiculing Ukraine for asking for US aid during the war. In response, Kremlin TV presenter Olga Skabeyeva described the tech mogul as "Elon the Muscovite" on Russia-1. Billionaire for billionaire As Trump and Musk's relationship capitulated before the internet's eyes, many users jumped at the chance to speculate on a potential replacement to join Trump's inner circle. Advertisement The leading candidate was Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The Zuck and Elon already share a number of similarities. They both sit at the very top of the official world's rich list with Musk at number one and Zuckerberg sat just behind in second. 15 Some speculated that Trump may simply replace Musk with Mark Zuckerberg Credit: X Advertisement 15 Zuckerberg and Musk were joined by fellow billionaires Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai at Trump's inauguration ceremony Credit: AP And both men own major social media platforms. Musk famously acquired Twitter and transformed it into X whereas Zuckerberg created Facebook, now Meta, in 2004. Trump already has a growing relationship with Zuckerberg after Meta donated $1m (£786,000) to an inauguration fund for the president. Advertisement The pair also shared dinner together at Mar-a-Lago in November. But much like with Musk, the two have shared a In 2017, Trump hit out at Facebook for being "anti-Trump" after the platform banned his account following the Capitol riots on January, 6, 2021. Cybertruck conundrum Two of the most liked memes circulating around the internet on Thursday featured Tesla Cybertrucks. Advertisement The powerful beasts are the brainchild of Musk and his remarkable staff at Tesla factories across the US. But for one unlucky motorist his Cybertruck may be forced to stay in the garage forever after the public spat. An image shows a parked up Tesla with the American flag emblazoned on the side in truly patriotic fashion. 15 Advertisement 15 Musk even joined Trump back on the stage where the president was shot Credit: AFP But superimposed over the top is the image of a defiant Trump just seconds after he was shot in the ear at a rally in Pennsylvania last year. The legendary photo shows the bleeding Republican with his fist raised high in the air as secret service agents crowd around him. The moment is notable in regards to the Trump/Musk feud as the assassination attempt is believed to be one of the main reasons why Musk joined team Trump. Advertisement 15 The second Tesla related meme shows the burning wreckage of a Cybertruck sat next to Trump Hotel in Las Vegas Credit: X It has even been revealed that Trump is yet to remove the Cybertruck he was gifted by Musk from the White House parking garage. The second Tesla related meme shows the burning wreckage of a Cybertruck sat next to Trump Hotel in Las Vegas . The image is taken from the tragic New Year's Day incident when former soldier Advertisement The X user suggests the flaming Cybertruck is comparable to how Musk has ignited a fiery feud with Trump. 15
Irish Post
a day ago
- Irish Post
Hundreds of former dancers turn out for launch of Riverdance's 30th anniversary show in Dublin
HUNDREDS of former Riverdance dancers came together this week to enjoy a special performance of the show in Dublin. Held at the Gaiety Theatre last night, some of the original stars of the show were in the audience for an alumni performance of the 30th anniversary show. Originally a seven-minute Eurovision interval act which impressed television audiences in 1994, Riverdance debuted in 1995 as a full-length musical and theatrical performance. Former Riverdance leads Breandán de Gallaí, Susan Ginnity and Pat Roddy pictured with Director John McColgan ahead of a special alumni event held at the Gaiety Theatre last night Composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty, and directed by John McColgan, the original troupe was led by Michael Flatley and Jean Butler. Riverdance lead dancers Jean Butler and Micheal Flatley pictured in Dublin in 1995 To celebrate its 30-year milestone, Riverdance 30 – The New Generation has embarked on a special anniversary tour this year, which will see it visit 30 UK venues - one for each year of its history - from August to December. Current Riverdance leads Amy Mae Dolan and Fergus Fitzpatrick pictured on the Gaiety stage The production rejuvenates the much-loved original show with new innovative choreography and costumes and state of the art lighting, projection and motion graphics, the producers have confirmed. 'It is both a privilege and a delight to celebrate 30 years of Riverdance and the unique journey it has taken us on,' Riverdance director John McColgan said. 'In those 30 years the show has transformed from a spectacle into a global cultural phenomenon – continuously evolving yet remaining true to its Irish roots.' Former Riverdance leads Breandán de Gallaí and Susan Ginnity pictured with Amy Mae Dolan and Fergus Fitzpatrick He added: 'On this upcoming tour we look forward to welcoming 'the new generation' of artists while paying tribute to the talented performers, creators, dedicated crew, and the millions of fans who have made Riverdance a worldwide celebration of music and dance.' The original Riverdance cast pictured in Dublin in February 1995 Composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by John McColgan the 30th anniversary show will run at the Gaiety Theatre until September, when it will begin its UK tour. See More: Anniversary, Dublin, Gaiety Theatre, Reunion, Riverdance, Tour
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
Westlife stars support Louis Walsh as his 'extraordinary' mum laid to rest
Louis Walsh's mother has been hailed as an 'extraordinary' woman, mourners at her funeral heard. Maureen Walsh, 94, passed away on Monday (June 2), with her son Louis being known as the manager for pop acts such as Westlife and Boyzone, as well as a judge on The X Factor. Acts who worked with Louis in the past, including Westlife's Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan, were in attendance for her funeral in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo, as well as Eurovision winner Dana. Louis Walsh at the funeral of his mother Maureen. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin Maureen's daughter Sara described her mum as an 'extraordinary' woman, telling mourners 'we celebrate all the 94 years of the extraordinary woman Maureen was and the incredible mark she left on us all. 'We had a great upbringing. We wanted for nothing. She pushed us to make the best of ourselves – she didn't do a bad job, I think,' she joked, while Maureen's son Frank said that she was the heart of their family's lives. 'We all loved her, respected her. She was a woman of great strength, loyalty and grace,' Frank said. 'Her life was not one of enormous gestures but countless small actions of goodness, kindness and love. She was hardworking, had great faith and found joy in the simple things.' Louis was joined by Westlife's Kian Egan, Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne at the funeral of his mother. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin Louis previously spoke about the closeness he had with his mother over the years, but revealed that his mother wanted him to go for a different vocation to his music managing career. Shane Filan and his wife Gillian console Louis Walsh at the funeral of his mother Maureen Walsh. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin 'I absolutely hated school. My mother was hoping that her eldest boy would be a priest,' Louis told Nicky Byrne on his podcast. 'I came from a family of nine. They sent me to boarding school. Can I tell you how much I hated it?' Glenda Gilson at the funeral of Maureen Walsh. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin Following Ms Walsh's requiem mass, her funeral cortege progressed to Kilkinure Cemetery for her burial. Kian Egan and his wife Jodi Albert console Louis Walsh at the funeral of his mother Maureen Walsh. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin She is pre-deceased by her husband Frank, daughter Catherine, parents Martin and Delia, brother Sean and son-in-law Pat O'Connor. She was the cherished mother of Evelyn (O'Connor), Louis, Paul, Frank, Eamon, Padraic, Joseph, Noel and Sara (Keogh).
