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Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
What next for Ireland after failing to reach Eurovision final for eighth time in ten years
It had been hoped that Ryan O'Shaughnessy's qualification in 2018 could turn the tide after four years stuck in the semi-finals, but Ireland – still barely holding onto the joint record for the highest number of wins – returned to the wilderness for six more years until Bambie Thug again raised the nation's hopes. The 'ouija pop' artist achieved a sixth place finish last year, the first top ten result since Jedward were so good in 2011 that we sent them again the following year. However, the new dawn presented by Bambie Thug went behind another cloud last night, as it was revealed Ireland will not be heading to the grand final in Basel. Where did it all go wrong for the country that once won the contest three times in a row – and will we ever again manage to merely qualify three times in a row? The Irish delegation has been led by Michael Kealy since 2013, who has shared his thoughts on the country's Eurovision finish each year. Here is what he has said after each of the last seven Eurovision Song Contests – from what worked to what didn't. 2024 – Bambie Thug finishes sixth in the final with 'Doomsday Blue' A memorable performance in Malmo landed Bambie Thug in top ten, with RTÉ's head of delegation hoping their success could be the beginning of 'a renaissance period' for Ireland. 'I always thought we were only one great artist and one great song away from a good result,' he said, praising the 'powerful team' and 'clear idea' that Bambie had. 'It is not that we [RTÉ] have had a different attitude to the contest, it's not. [It's because] a great artist comes out of nowhere… and has a vision that connects with people.' 2023 – Wild Youth fails to qualify with 'We Are One' Band Wild Youth did not crack the code to qualification in Liverpool, with their song 'We Are Young' not making it past the semi-final. In the aftermath, Mr Kealy said he 'would agree' that Ireland's selection process should be separated from The Late Late Show, He told RTÉ's The Ray D'Arcy Show that RTÉ has been 'chronically underfunded' for decades, which 'shows particularly when it comes to us putting on entertainment shows'. "When it comes to entertainment, you need scale to make it look as impressive as a show that you would see in other European countries, and the truth is our facilities in RTÉ are not sufficient to mount shows like that." 2022 – Brooke Scullion fails to qualify with 'That's Rich!' It was a surprise when Brooke Scullion, with her catchy pop song 'That's Rich!', did not qualify in Italy in 2022. Mr Kealy said the singer had reached the high standard needed to succeed in a tough competition, but told The Irish Sun that she potentially lost out in the jury vote. Six professional juries from the second semi-final were removed that year due to irregular voting patterns. 2021 – Lesley Roy fails to qualify with 'Maps' Singer Lesley Roy had a second chance at Eurovision in 2021 after the contest was cancelled due to the pandemic the year before, but it was not to be. She later said there had been technical issues before the performance. 2019 – Sarah McTernan fails to qualify with '22' A catchy track did not translate to success in Tel Aviv in 2019 and while McTernan put in a strong performance, Mr Kealy said going on stage in the 'notoriously difficult' number two slot was a challenge. "But that's the breaks. It's a tough, tough competition, it's not as easy as it once was, there are over 40 countries taking part, it's a difficult, difficult competition and it attracts top professionals from around Europe,' he said. "Other countries plough in huge resources into the competition which unfortunately a small broadcaster like RTÉ just doesn't have so we have to be clever with what we do with the limited resources we have.' 2018 – Ryan O'Shaughnessy finishes 16th in final with 'Together' A strong finish by Ryan O'Shaughnessy in Portugal in 2018 marked some progress for Ireland in the Eurovision, with Mr Kealy saying his success helped boost entries to the represent Ireland the following year. 2017 – Brendan Murray fails to qualify with 'Dying to Try' A hot air balloon on stage in Kyiv did not raise Ireland's chances with Murray's song, with Mr Kealy saying he was 'devastated' for the singer. He added: "I'm not sure people appreciate how hard it is to qualify these days - it's a completely different competition to how it was when we used to win back in the Nineties.'
Leader Live
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Irish fans ‘heartbroken' as Emmy Kristiansen fails to make Eurovision final
Ireland, with ties with Sweden for the most Eurovision wins, sent the 24-year-old to perform her entry Laika Party, about a Soviet dog sent to space, during the second semi-final in Basel, Switzerland, on Thursday. She apologised to Ireland for failing, following Austria's JJ (Johannes Pietsch) and Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who are among the competition favourites, as well as Armenian singer PARG, Denmark's singer Sissal and Luxembourg's Laura Thorn being voted through. Others in the final are Finland's black leather-wearing Erika Vikman; Latvian band Tautumeitas; Malta's high-energy diva Miriana Conte; and Greece's singer Klavdia. Last year, Bambie Thug with Doomsday Blue became the first Irish entrant to make the final since Ryan O'Shaughnessy in 2018. Outside St Jakobshalle arena, the Horgan family, made up of Amber, Oscar, Rowan, and Karen said they were 'so heartbroken, really, heartbroken, and disappointed', as well as 'really sad' to have not made the final again. Russell Alford, from Dublin, who was at the arena with his friend Patrick Hanlon, said: 'I think Switzerland have been an incredible host city. Amazing shows. The last two nights. 'Would have loved a better result for our own country, because Ireland is one of the greatest at Eurovision, or at least historically, and once again, we're not in the final, but it was a very tough semi final for us to get out of, so a shame.' Posting on Instagram, Kristiansen said: 'I'm so sorry, Ireland. We will forever love you and be grateful and honoured to have represented you.' A post shared by EMMY🤍 (@emmykgk00) Other winners include Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan with Rock 'n' Roll Kids in 1994, Niamh Kavanagh with In Your Eyes the previous year, and Linda Martin coming first with Why Me in 1992. Dana first won the contest in 1970 with the million-seller All Kinds Of Everything; 10 years later, Johnny Logan scooped the top spot with What's Another Year, and again in 1987 with Hold Me Now. Other qualifiers include Ryan Dolan, who finished last in 2013 with Only Love Survives, and Jedward twice in the previous two years, as well as Niamh Kavanagh in 2010. Also during the Thursday semi-final, where UK audiences could vote, British group Remember Monday harmonised their song What The Hell Just Happened? with Bridgerton-inspired outfits. They are already through to the grand final as 'one of the big five', along with France's Louane, German duo Abor & Tynna, Italian singer Lucio Corsi; and Spain's Melody as well as reigning champion Switzerland with Basel-born Zoe Me. Tuesday's qualifying acts: Ukraine's Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray; Estonia's Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato; and Sweden representative's Kaj with their entry Bara Bada Bastu; will also compete. This is along with Dutch act Claude Kiambe; Poland's Justyna Steczkowska; Icelandic electronic musician brothers VAEB; San Marino's Gabry Ponte; Albania's Shkodra Elektronike; Portugal's Napa, and Norway's Kyle Alessandro. The Saturday event will also see 2024 Swiss winner Nemo return to the Eurovision stage, amid speculation that Canadian singer Celine Dion, who triumphed in 1988 with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, will perform. Switzerland, who hosted the first contest in 1956 in Lugano, had not won for more than three decades until Nemo. It was announced, on Thursday night, that the UK's Eurovision spokesperson, Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa, would be replaced by singer and BBC Radio 2 presenter Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The BBC said Gatwa was unable to reveal the points given by the UK national jury to other contestants during the competition's grand final, due to 'unforeseen circumstances'.
North Wales Chronicle
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Irish fans ‘heartbroken' as Emmy Kristiansen fails to make Eurovision final
Ireland, with ties with Sweden for the most Eurovision wins, sent the 24-year-old to perform her entry Laika Party, about a Soviet dog sent to space, during the second semi-final in Basel, Switzerland, on Thursday. She apologised to Ireland for failing, following Austria's JJ (Johannes Pietsch) and Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who are among the competition favourites, as well as Armenian singer PARG, Denmark's singer Sissal and Luxembourg's Laura Thorn being voted through. Others in the final are Finland's black leather-wearing Erika Vikman; Latvian band Tautumeitas; Malta's high-energy diva Miriana Conte; and Greece's singer Klavdia. Last year, Bambie Thug with Doomsday Blue became the first Irish entrant to make the final since Ryan O'Shaughnessy in 2018. Outside St Jakobshalle arena, the Horgan family, made up of Amber, Oscar, Rowan, and Karen said they were 'so heartbroken, really, heartbroken, and disappointed', as well as 'really sad' to have not made the final again. Russell Alford, from Dublin, who was at the arena with his friend Patrick Hanlon, said: 'I think Switzerland have been an incredible host city. Amazing shows. The last two nights. 'Would have loved a better result for our own country, because Ireland is one of the greatest at Eurovision, or at least historically, and once again, we're not in the final, but it was a very tough semi final for us to get out of, so a shame.' Posting on Instagram, Kristiansen said: 'I'm so sorry, Ireland. We will forever love you and be grateful and honoured to have represented you.' A post shared by EMMY🤍 (@emmykgk00) Other winners include Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan with Rock 'n' Roll Kids in 1994, Niamh Kavanagh with In Your Eyes the previous year, and Linda Martin coming first with Why Me in 1992. Dana first won the contest in 1970 with the million-seller All Kinds Of Everything; 10 years later, Johnny Logan scooped the top spot with What's Another Year, and again in 1987 with Hold Me Now. Other qualifiers include Ryan Dolan, who finished last in 2013 with Only Love Survives, and Jedward twice in the previous two years, as well as Niamh Kavanagh in 2010. Also during the Thursday semi-final, where UK audiences could vote, British group Remember Monday harmonised their song What The Hell Just Happened? with Bridgerton-inspired outfits. They are already through to the grand final as 'one of the big five', along with France's Louane, German duo Abor & Tynna, Italian singer Lucio Corsi; and Spain's Melody as well as reigning champion Switzerland with Basel-born Zoe Me. Tuesday's qualifying acts: Ukraine's Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray; Estonia's Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato; and Sweden representative's Kaj with their entry Bara Bada Bastu; will also compete. This is along with Dutch act Claude Kiambe; Poland's Justyna Steczkowska; Icelandic electronic musician brothers VAEB; San Marino's Gabry Ponte; Albania's Shkodra Elektronike; Portugal's Napa, and Norway's Kyle Alessandro. The Saturday event will also see 2024 Swiss winner Nemo return to the Eurovision stage, amid speculation that Canadian singer Celine Dion, who triumphed in 1988 with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, will perform. Switzerland, who hosted the first contest in 1956 in Lugano, had not won for more than three decades until Nemo. It was announced, on Thursday night, that the UK's Eurovision spokesperson, Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa, would be replaced by singer and BBC Radio 2 presenter Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The BBC said Gatwa was unable to reveal the points given by the UK national jury to other contestants during the competition's grand final, due to 'unforeseen circumstances'.
Rhyl Journal
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Irish fans ‘heartbroken' as Emmy Kristiansen fails to make Eurovision final
Ireland, with ties with Sweden for the most Eurovision wins, sent the 24-year-old to perform her entry Laika Party, about a Soviet dog sent to space, during the second semi-final in Basel, Switzerland, on Thursday. She apologised to Ireland for failing, following Austria's JJ (Johannes Pietsch) and Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who are among the competition favourites, as well as Armenian singer PARG, Denmark's singer Sissal and Luxembourg's Laura Thorn being voted through. Others in the final are Finland's black leather-wearing Erika Vikman; Latvian band Tautumeitas; Malta's high-energy diva Miriana Conte; and Greece's singer Klavdia. Last year, Bambie Thug with Doomsday Blue became the first Irish entrant to make the final since Ryan O'Shaughnessy in 2018. Outside St Jakobshalle arena, the Horgan family, made up of Amber, Oscar, Rowan, and Karen said they were 'so heartbroken, really, heartbroken, and disappointed', as well as 'really sad' to have not made the final again. Russell Alford, from Dublin, who was at the arena with his friend Patrick Hanlon, said: 'I think Switzerland have been an incredible host city. Amazing shows. The last two nights. 'Would have loved a better result for our own country, because Ireland is one of the greatest at Eurovision, or at least historically, and once again, we're not in the final, but it was a very tough semi final for us to get out of, so a shame.' Posting on Instagram, Kristiansen said: 'I'm so sorry, Ireland. We will forever love you and be grateful and honoured to have represented you.' A post shared by EMMY🤍 (@emmykgk00) Other winners include Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan with Rock 'n' Roll Kids in 1994, Niamh Kavanagh with In Your Eyes the previous year, and Linda Martin coming first with Why Me in 1992. Dana first won the contest in 1970 with the million-seller All Kinds Of Everything; 10 years later, Johnny Logan scooped the top spot with What's Another Year, and again in 1987 with Hold Me Now. Other qualifiers include Ryan Dolan, who finished last in 2013 with Only Love Survives, and Jedward twice in the previous two years, as well as Niamh Kavanagh in 2010. Also during the Thursday semi-final, where UK audiences could vote, British group Remember Monday harmonised their song What The Hell Just Happened? with Bridgerton-inspired outfits. They are already through to the grand final as 'one of the big five', along with France's Louane, German duo Abor & Tynna, Italian singer Lucio Corsi; and Spain's Melody as well as reigning champion Switzerland with Basel-born Zoe Me. Tuesday's qualifying acts: Ukraine's Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray; Estonia's Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato; and Sweden representative's Kaj with their entry Bara Bada Bastu; will also compete. This is along with Dutch act Claude Kiambe; Poland's Justyna Steczkowska; Icelandic electronic musician brothers VAEB; San Marino's Gabry Ponte; Albania's Shkodra Elektronike; Portugal's Napa, and Norway's Kyle Alessandro. The Saturday event will also see 2024 Swiss winner Nemo return to the Eurovision stage, amid speculation that Canadian singer Celine Dion, who triumphed in 1988 with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, will perform. Switzerland, who hosted the first contest in 1956 in Lugano, had not won for more than three decades until Nemo. It was announced, on Thursday night, that the UK's Eurovision spokesperson, Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa, would be replaced by singer and BBC Radio 2 presenter Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The BBC said Gatwa was unable to reveal the points given by the UK national jury to other contestants during the competition's grand final, due to 'unforeseen circumstances'.
North Wales Chronicle
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Irish fans ‘heartbroken' as Emmy Kristiansen fails to make final
Ireland, with ties with Sweden for the most Eurovision wins, sent the 24-year-old to perform her entry Laika Party, about a Soviet dog sent to space, during the second semi-final in Basel, Switzerland, on Thursday. She apologised to Ireland for failing, following Austria's JJ (Johannes Pietsch) and Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who are among the competition favourites, as well as Armenian singer PARG, Denmark's singer Sissal and Luxembourg's Laura Thorn being voted through. Others in the final are Finland's black leather-wearing Erika Vikman; Latvian band Tautumeitas; Malta's high-energy diva Miriana Conte; and Greece's singer Klavdia. Last year, Bambie Thug with Doomsday Blue became the first Irish entrant to make the final since Ryan O'Shaughnessy in 2018. Outside St Jakobshalle arena, the Horgan family, made up of Amber, Oscar, Rowan, and Karen said they were 'so heartbroken, really, heartbroken, and disappointed', as well as 'really sad' to have not made the final again. Russell Alford, from Dublin, who was at the arena with his friend Patrick Hanlon, said: 'I think Switzerland have been an incredible host city. Amazing shows. The last two nights. 'Would have loved a better result for our own country, because Ireland is one of the greatest at Eurovision, or at least historically, and once again, we're not in the final, but it was a very tough semi final for us to get out of, so a shame.' Posting on Instagram, Kristiansen said: 'I'm so sorry, Ireland. We will forever love you and be grateful and honoured to have represented you.' A post shared by EMMY🤍 (@emmykgk00) Other winners include Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan with Rock 'n' Roll Kids in 1994, Niamh Kavanagh with In Your Eyes the previous year, and Linda Martin coming first with Why Me in 1992. Dana first won the contest in 1970 with the million-seller All Kinds Of Everything; 10 years later, Johnny Logan scooped the top spot with What's Another Year, and again in 1987 with Hold Me Now. Other qualifiers include Ryan Dolan, who finished last in 2013 with Only Love Survives, and Jedward twice in the previous two years, as well as Niamh Kavanagh in 2010. Also during the Thursday semi-final, where UK audiences could vote, British group Remember Monday harmonised their song What The Hell Just Happened? with Bridgerton-inspired outfits. They are already through to the grand final as 'one of the big five', along with France's Louane, German duo Abor & Tynna, Italian singer Lucio Corsi; and Spain's Melody as well as reigning champion Switzerland with Basel-born Zoe Me. Tuesday's qualifying acts: Ukraine's Ziferblat with the song Bird Of Pray; Estonia's Tommy Cash with Espresso Macchiato; and Sweden representative's Kaj with their entry Bara Bada Bastu; will also compete. This is along with Dutch act Claude Kiambe; Poland's Justyna Steczkowska; Icelandic electronic musician brothers VAEB; San Marino's Gabry Ponte; Albania's Shkodra Elektronike; Portugal's Napa, and Norway's Kyle Alessandro. The Saturday event will also see 2024 Swiss winner Nemo return to the Eurovision stage, amid speculation that Canadian singer Celine Dion, who triumphed in 1988 with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, will perform. Switzerland, who hosted the first contest in 1956 in Lugano, had not won for more than three decades until Nemo. It was announced, on Thursday night, that the UK's Eurovision spokesperson, Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa, would be replaced by singer and BBC Radio 2 presenter Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The BBC said Gatwa was unable to reveal the points given by the UK national jury to other contestants during the competition's grand final, due to 'unforeseen circumstances'.
