They’re the duo whose name keeps coming up as Ireland‘s rumoured act for Eurovision 2018. Now The Irish Sun is reporting that Heathers — made up of sisters Ellie and Louise Macnamara — are broadcaster RTÉ’s favoured act to send to Lisbon. But nothing’s been confirmed yet.
The tabloid newspaper claims that RTÉ is plotting to select Heathers as Ireland’s entry for Eurovision 2018. A source told The Sun that the folk-pop duo would be the “dream act” to represent Ireland, as they are both experienced writers and performers.
But the sisters haven’t said yes yet. Speaking to the newspaper, Louise said, “I’m not going to say yes or no. Possibly — but for me, we’re focusing on a new record.”
She also said the offer is worth considering. “I think the competition has changed over the last couple of years. There are a lot more credible acts going for Eurovision now. I don’t think it’s something to throw away or to not consider.”
While Ellie is currently based in New York and Louise in Dublin, the sisters are still working together on their new album.
The duo has been active since 2007, and they take their name from the cult 1980s high school film. Heathers’ breakout success came in 2010 when the Irish Tourist Board used their song “Remember When” in a major promotional campaign. The track became a big radio hit in Ireland and reached No. 11 in the charts. The sisters’ most recent single “Midnight Train” dropped last August and has been well received in Ireland.
Heathers already have a Eurovision connection. In May, Louise sat on the Irish Eurovision jury. In the grand final her top marks went to Bulgaria, Israel and Romania.
Ireland is internally selecting its act for Eurovision 2018. In mid-September, broadcaster RTÉ opened its entry period, specifically wanting entries from songwriters and performers “preferably with a proven track record of success in the music industry”.
Since then, rumours have emerged of potential acts, including punk legend John Lydon, R&B singe Samantha Mumba and an unspecified boyband.
Details of the selection process have also been revealed, as focus group participant Eoghan McDermott shared details on both social media and his radio show. He was critical of some of the songs, saying many were too derivative of popular hits.
Ireland last send twins to Eurovision in 2012, when Jedward placed 19th with “Waterline”. This was also the second to last time Ireland qualified for the grand final. The country has not made the final since Ryan Dolan finished in last place in 2013.
What do you think? Should Heathers represent Ireland in Lisbon? What sort of song should they sing? Share your thoughts below!
I do hope its Hudson Taylor and their latest track just released Run with Me, its precisely 3mins long and the best track for years if RTE entered it.
I guess when you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel, you’re grateful if you come up with an apple at all.
I’m interested by the timing, Robyn. I’m assuming that Ken Sweeney must have spoken to Louise in the last few days, which tells me that it may have been after the song selection process including Eoghan McD and colleagues was concluded. That would suggest to me that Heathers are very much in the running to be selected by RTE (or might already have been in fact).
What about Janet Devlin though?
I hope Heathers represent Ireland in Lisbon. They have very good harmonies. Maybe their entry for Eurovision will be upbeat for a change! 🙂
I would be happy enough with this choice, even though Louise’s comment about “credibility” rubbed me up the wrong way. She gave her top marks to Romania last year, you say? No, the contest has not changed in the last couple of years – it is constantly changing from one year to the next, it is never the same – you could have stepped up at any point, instead of waiting for it to be “credible”, whatever that means. I am so over that attitude.
If selected, (I think) this will be the sixth time Ireland has sent singing siblings.
She is kinda right tbh
To me, it makes no sense. The whole notion of “credibility” is ridiculously snobby.
Not sure what the problem is here. She is speaking up in favour of the Contest, not criticising it.
No major problem. Just the implication that before now the contest was beneath them, but now that it’s “credible” they may or may not consider it.
The contest has always had credible songs, and always had some trash – good and bad. There has been no discernible rise in “credibility” has far as I’m concerned, because the contest has always been credible.
I don’t think she’s suggesting they were opposed to entering Eurovision in the past but has had a rethink. I suspect she’s talking more to the general audience out there who might have reservations about ESC. It’s quite possible that being on the Irish jury last year (presumably after being invited by RTE) sparked her interest in competing and that she simply hadn’t considered it before.
Fair enough, I’m probably being too harsh.
It’s just a bit of a bug-bear of mine, I’m probably projecting a bit – in any case, let’s hope they send a great song! I guess that’s all that matters. 🙂
They’d be an interesting choice anyway. Ireland has never sent something with an indie vibe and it could be well worth a shot.
I sure hope not, that video was awfuuuuul
That video is over 8 years old…
Just listening to that Remember When song, I am not really a fan of but surely a better choice than John Lydon. Just have to wait for the song, hopefully it is something a bit different and not your typical Eurovision ballad
Well, we have to wait for a song, but for now they seem to me like a new flop…
They’re definitely in the shake up to be the entry. Their name had been rumoured as being involved by a couple of people close to the selection process for the last few weeks. And then Eoghan McDermott spoke of a “ballad duet” being one of his top two songs when judging the entries last week and adding that one of these two was all Irish written and performed.
Heathers would be a very interesting choice, they have great voices and harmonies and a good back catalogue of songs.
meh
Too many rumours, I hope they accept the offer, they seem open to the idea<3
Ireland, the land of rumours.
Better than belarus, the land of hypocrisy