As Junior Eurovision draws closer, more countries reveal plans to select their entrants. Ireland’s Irish language broadcaster (TG4) announced that Junior Eurovision Eire, the country’s national final, will begin broadcast on October 14th.
Shows to be aired on delay
Similar to last year, the shows will not be aired live but on delay. The broadcast will begin on October 14th and will continue once a week until November 11th. Although it is not officially confirmed, the format is likely to remain the same as the previous editions of Junior Eurovision Eire with 32 artists taking part. Traditionally, the show features 4 semi-finals and one final. In each semi-final, the jury selects 2 singers to proceed to the final duel with the winner qualifying for the final. Furthermore, jurors may also choose 2 wildcards to compete in the final. Eoghan McDermott will once again be the host of the show. Currently, it is unclear who will be part of the jury panel but it usually features Irish Eurovision entrants including Niamh Kavanagh, Jedward, Linda Martin and Brendan Murray.
Last year, a Spotify release of all the competing songs of Junior Eurovision 2017 revealed the winner before the airing of the Irish final. Let’s hope we don’t know the winner before the final this year!
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018
Belarus’s capital Minsk will be the host of the 2018 edition of Junior Eurovision. This is the second time the event takes place in the city, that previously hosted it in 2010. A record-breaking 20 countries will participate in Minsk on November 25. Wales and Kazakhstan will both make a debut with Kazakhstan participating for the first time to any Eurovision related event. Besides, the contest will also feature three returning countries: France, that last participated in 2004, Azerbaijan that last participated in 2013 and Israel that last participated in 2016. Last year’s participant Cyprus will instead withdraw from the competition.
Ireland in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Ireland is one of the newer countries at Junior Eurovision, having made three appearances at the contest so far. It debuted in 2015 with Aimee Banks and her entry “Réalta na mara”, placing 12th. Their best result came in 2016 when Zena Donnelly placed 10th with “Bríce ar bhríce“. In Tbilisi Muireann McDonnell represented the Emerald Isle with her beautiful entry “Suíle Glasa”. Unfortunately, she placed second to last with 54 points.
Can Ireland score its first win in Minsk? Did you like their 2017 entry? What kind of song are you hoping Ireland will send to Minsk?
Let us know in the comments below or on social media @ESCXTRA.
