Jessica McKean will represent Ireland at Junior Eurovision 2024.
As Junior Eurovision Éire came to a close today, it was revealed that Jessica McKean had won the ticket to Nice, and will go on to represent Ireland at Junior Eurovision 2024, making her the eighth Irish Junior Eurovision act.
The show was hosted by Louise Cantillon and Darragh Ó Caoimh at RTÉ Studios in Dublin, and saw three acts participating – Clare Keeley, Jessica McKean and Niamh Beatrix Smith. Each of the three participants sang two songs each – an Irish-language cover of a popular song and an Irish Eurovision entry.
Winner Jessica McKean sang “Always” and “Hold Me Now” – Johnny Logan (1987) whilst runners-up Clare and Niamh sang “Someone You Love / “Why Me” – Linda Martin (1992) and “Waiting For Love” / “Together” – Ryan O’Shaughnessy (2018) respectively.
The show featured a jury panel made up of three members – Niamh Ní Chróinín (manager of Irish-language radio station Raidió Rí-Rá); Aindriú de Paor (presenter for RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ Sport and Spórt TG4) and Mickey Joe Harte (Eurovision 2003 representative).
The jury panel did not have any say on the final results of the show, and were merely there to provide feedback to the contestants. The results of tonight’s show were decided by 100% public vote, which opened on October 16th, and closed during the show.
The interval act saw Ireland’s Eurovision 2023 participants Wild Youth performing, as well as Ireland’s Junior Eurovision 2023 participant Sophie Lennon. They performed Wild Youth’s Eurovision 2023 entry “We Are One”, with Sophie singing parts of the song in the Irish language.
The song that Jessica McKean will perform at Junior Eurovision 2023 will be internally selected, and will be released in the coming weeks with an accompanying music video.
Jessica Mckean comes from Lifford in County Donegal. At 10 years old, she is the youngest person to represent Ireland at Junior Eurovision. She cites Adele, Nathan Carter and Whitney Houston as some of her favourite artists.
Despite her young age, Jessica is no stranger to performing; she has been dancing since a young age, and won her first Feis (traditional Irish dancing) competition at just three years old. She has also participated in the RTÉ show Donncha’s Two Talented with her Mum when she was five years old.
Are you happy with the results of tonight’s show? What kind of song do you think Jessica McKean will sing at Junior Eurovision 2023? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Photo credit: Bryan Brophy / TG4
One Response
It’s not October 16th yet. The public vote opened on October 1st.