It’s the nation that issued a call for “accomplished songwriters and performers” in October. But Ireland has been conspicuously quiet ever since. However, following correspondence with the country’s Head of Delegation Michael Kealy, wiwibloggs can confirm that the Eurovision record-holders are almost ready to show their hand for the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv.

The singer and song have been chosen. They are currently working on perfecting the final mix and plan to release both the audio track and music video on Friday 8 March.

This is the culmination of a process which saw over 440 songs submitted to the national broadcaster RTÉ. These were whittled down to a shortlist of almost 70, which was presented to a number of different panels in early January. The selected performer(s) and/or the song may not have been among these numbers. When opening the submission window in the autumn, the TV network reserved the absolute right to approach established acts and songwriters and to select a song and/or a performer(s) at its sole discretion from outside the process.

Who will represent Ireland at Eurovision 2019?

RTÉ, by its own admission, has been tight-lipped this year. But that hasn’t stopped the rumour mill from spinning. In January it went into overdrive when the Irish Mirror allegedly published a piece claiming that ex-One Direction star Niall Horan was in the mix. This proved to be a false alarm caused by a fake screenshot. Although, Kealy claimed that “it’s a bit early to rule anything in or out definitively!”.

Back in the real world, The Irish Mail On Sunday wrote that Una Healy from The Saturdays was apparently interested. An unnamed RTÉ source told the paper that “Una would be a great choice for Ireland’s Eurovision entry… She has an amazing voice and has years of experience performing in front of thousands of people so nerves wouldn’t be a problem for her.” That was reported back in December.

More recently, one-time The X Factor contestant Janet Devlin both started and ended speculation that she could be Ireland’s Eurovision 2019 representative. When a fan shared a “rumour” that Janet could be singing for Ireland she tweeted a cheeky reply – “Shh no one can know”. After her record label jumped on the bandwagon she was forced to tweet a denial.

There has also been social media theories surrounding two up-and-coming male artists — Ryan Mack and FLYNN. This arose from cryptic social media posts. The former’s teasing turned out to be about concert dates, the latter was collaborating with Lost Frequencies.

What do you think? Who could be Ireland’s Eurovision 2019 representative? Are you excited to hear the song? Let us know in the comments.

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Leo M
Leo M
5 years ago

Lots of rumors. Hyped about tomorrow but I fear it will be a big let down

Gerry
Gerry
5 years ago
Reply to  Leo M

I also fear the same! Israel is a poisoned chalice for any Irish musician. The lack of quality acts that will want to represent the country due to the political situation in Israel will only lead to a poor showing! Plus I doubt RTÉ, knowing the chances will place a lot of emphasis on funding!

Gerry
Gerry
5 years ago
Reply to  Gerry

Israel is turning this song contest into a political contest by allowing the military watch the preview of the grand final!
It is a blatant f*ck you to the Eurovison and what it stands for!
https://extra.ie/2019/03/07/news/irish-news/irish-protesters-call-on-rte-to-boycott-eurovision-2019-in-israel

Aisling
Aisling
5 years ago

Just read that it actually is Janet Devlin who will represent Ireland.

Young Michael Gannon
5 years ago

I would like to see Nathan Cartor to represent Ireland in Eurovision 2019 he would be perfect for Irseal

Spotarick
Spotarick
5 years ago

What’s the point in asking for song entries when the organisers can just go to an established artist to choose a song. The whole selection process in Ireland needs to be rejigged. I’d like to see The Heathers picked after nearly making it last year but we’ll probably end up with some former boyband/girlband member that Louis Walsh is associated with.

Nope
5 years ago

I wish niall would represent Ireland

Floprina
Floprina
5 years ago

From like 5 seconds LOL?

Someone
Someone
5 years ago
Reply to  Floprina

Yeah actually

ESCelebrate19
ESCelebrate19
5 years ago

The song Janet Devlin has just released is very good and would be a contender if this was the Irish entry.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
5 years ago
Reply to  ESCelebrate19

The somg will be revealed 8th of march so that seems very unlikely.

ESCelebrate19
ESCelebrate19
5 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

They are revealing what song will be the Irish entry on the 8th March but it could still be a song that has been released before that date.

It’s the BBC’s fault, not the UK’s
It’s the BBC’s fault, not the UK’s
5 years ago

For anyone that saw Flynn’s Instagram post, saying that his new single comes out next Friday, please don’t get carried away. It’s global music release day on Friday, and RTE wouldn’t allow him to make any of these release announcements

Leo M
Leo M
5 years ago

Don’t care who it is as long as the song is strong and that they can actually sing. Loved Ryan’s entry last year from first listen. Interesting to see if they can keep it up considering recent struggles. I’m cautiously optimistic that we’ll have another strong entry this year.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

Right. Even if Sweden match it this year, they still have to win again to beat it, and then go on to hold the record for 25 years like Ireland did…

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

I don’t want to start sounding like a spammer, but FLYNN’s big announcement today was that his new song is going to be released next Friday (8th of March), same day as RTE unveil Ireland’s entry. coincidence??

And yes I know he said his announcement wasn’t Eurovision related, but I guess technically it wasn’t Eurovision related. But his next announcement could be.

Floprina
Floprina
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Do you really think that Lost Frequencies would be representing Ireland (considering Ireland’s awful track record recently)? Ireland sending a worldwide-known DJ doesn’t seem realistic tbh

Ron
Ron
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

It’s definitely not him. If he had signed a contract with a RTE, he wouldn’t be allowed to drop hints on Twitter.

I’m surprised people ever thought it might be him. He seems very good at promoting himself on social media but he’s a virtual unknown in the music industry in real terms.

Floprina
Floprina
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

And the Global release day is on a Friday too. So, it doesn’t mean it’s Flynn

Voix
Voix
5 years ago

The Greek snippet is out and although it’s some seconds it’s veeeery promising!

Paul
Paul
5 years ago
Reply to  Voix

Where?

esc1234
esc1234
5 years ago
Reply to  Paul
Frisian esc
Frisian esc
5 years ago
Reply to  Voix

To be honest you almost hear nothing in that snippet. I’m excited for the reveal though! We still need to hear “that” winner song for this year. Until now we’ve only got italy competing for the trophy.

Danners
Danners
5 years ago

Tim Chadwick is another possibility going by his recent Twitter posts. I’d be personally delighted if it is him as I love his music!

Peter M
Peter M
5 years ago

Richie Kavanagh deserves a shot

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

Are Heathers still in the mix? They came close last year, right, are they just back on the scrapheap?

Ciara
Ciara
5 years ago

I’m prepared for some unknown singer with a guitar.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

If it’s Úna Healy, I really hope she has a good song. Her solo stuff has been dull. She will need to completely re-invent her sound, I would not be getting too excited for her on name alone. Maybe if she ropes in her former The Voice colleague, Bressie, as songwriter/producer…he knows his way around a good melody and pop production. I hope it’s him as the act, actually…

JeyDelRey
JeyDelRey
5 years ago

I would love to see Una or Janet represent Ireland. In any case, I can’t wait to hear the song. Next week is going to be so busy.

Thorula
Thorula
5 years ago

I just want to see how they will limit the downgrade (juste kidding). I mean, last year was so good.

Luk
Luk
5 years ago

I am Interesting what irland us will send

Paul
Paul
5 years ago

Imagine if its MARUV with a river dancing human centipede

Cody
Cody
5 years ago
Reply to  Paul

I didn’t know I wanted this until now.

Floprina
Floprina
5 years ago

Celtic Woman would be great (sung in Irish)

Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Floprina

Trust me you do NOT want to hear that haha 🙂 . Maybe it’s because I’m Irish but I think Irish particularly in songs is incredibly cringe worthy.

Hellohi
Hellohi
5 years ago

Something in the style of their 1996 entry “the voice” would stand out this year ..
still no clues of who it could possibly be ..
don’t disappoint us Ireland and continue the turnaround..
many countries in recent years have come back from being lost in a Eurovision wilderness , Belgium , Netherlands, Austria ..
maybe even Ireland could

CookieNation
CookieNation
5 years ago
Reply to  Hellohi

As if there was a shortage of slow songs already in esc2019. You must be joking.

Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Hellohi

We can’t keep sending ballads though, like I think everyone every year expects some sort of ballad . I don’t know if we can do upbeat or modern in terms of production but Eurovision is moving in that direction which I like but we don’t do modern sadly.

CookieNation
CookieNation
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Jedward was years ahead its time with Lipstick, so sure you can.

KESC
KESC
5 years ago

So, from the internally selected ones, there are still 14 entries to come:
North Macedonia (4 March)
Cyprus (5 March)
Greece (6 March)
Netherlands (7 March)
San Marino (7 March)
Switzerland (7 March)
Azerbaijan (7-10 March)
Austria (8 March)
Ireland (8 March)
Israel (10 March)
Russia
Armenia
Malta
Poland

Popitjoppe
Popitjoppe
5 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Sweden march 9th as well ***

KESC
KESC
5 years ago
Reply to  Popitjoppe

Sweden don’t select their entry internally.

Nope
5 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Also iceland. The results come today

neufcinq
neufcinq
5 years ago

I want some classy old Irish Folk in their mother tongue to slay the ESC stage.

Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  neufcinq

I’m actually surprised many people want an Irish song like as gaelige Irish because I think it would be a disaster but it would be interesting to see the result of a song like that if we sent it .

Ani
Ani
5 years ago

Hopefully it’s una Healy

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

this year it went like this but i hope next year some will reveal in february too bc it’s so lame to have 23 songs revealed in 10 days

olvresc
olvresc
5 years ago

ESC has been a real Marchvision since 2016.

Colin
Colin
5 years ago

Actually, I’d prefer for some internal choices to announce their song in October – January. Doesn’t always have to be this clustered in February – March.

Fun or ban?
Fun or ban?
5 years ago

Honestly is there anyone interested into the irish entry? This country is completely irrelevant today. Once made history, now is like the 2nd San Marino!

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Fun or ban?

Came 16th last year, hardly irrelevant.

Also, relevant enough for you to visit the page and comment.

Fille
Fille
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I personally loved the song since first listen. It wasn’t anything special, but it was really lovely.

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Song was quite good too imo, staging helped elevate it, which what Eurovision is about.
Nobody says anything about the props other countries use. Like Ukraine’s giant in 2013, man in a wheel 2014, men in fridges 2008, men dressed as gladiators 2009, or Sweden’s light tunnel last year or Projected man in 2015.
Staging and props are used elevate the song by many countries not just Ireland. First time we really used a prop coz everything else wasn’t working, and look, we qualified.

Ciara
Ciara
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

The song was just bland and boring. The two dancers accounted for 80% of the vote.

Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Ciara

firstly wasn’t that boring also if it’s so easy to get votes ,why don’t other countries set up in terms of staging? You may say money but Ireland’s staging wasn’t expensive( in terms of staging at esc) ,it’s about making the most out if what you have.

Ciara
Ciara
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

The two male dancers gave the song life on the stage and that’s why you guys advanced. “Why no countries set up with staging?” Jeez, since when did I talk about how much the staging was? Your staging was cheap but it worked. But if you got rid of that, the song is a boring piece. Plus, your music video hinted that it’s a song that can be described to a gay couple and people asked you to keep that on the stage. Without that concept, you guys would have flopped as usual. To sum up, last year was just… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Ciara

Ryan has a very nice voice, Together was beautifully sung. He had an extremely likeable personality, and yes, the staging helped…but it was not an accident. The staging is important for every song. You may as well say Lordi wouldn’t have won without the masks, or Heroes wouldn’t have won without the graphics, or Conchita without the beard…so what…who cares?

Fun or ban?
Fun or ban?
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

You are right. Last year was an exception. My bad

Mallonhead
Mallonhead
5 years ago
Reply to  Fun or ban?

Where are you from?

Ani
Ani
5 years ago
Reply to  Fun or ban?

Girl bye Ireland slays.

Hellohi
Hellohi
5 years ago
Reply to  Fun or ban?

The same point could have once applied to Belgium

Fun or ban?
Fun or ban?
5 years ago
Reply to  Hellohi

Never. Belgium is creative and actual

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Fun or ban?

Belgium wasn’t always so “creative and actual”. For years they failed to qualify. Pretty sure their last qualification was 2004, when they were pre-qualified from the previous year. After that they where NQ then for about 10 years, until 2013, then only qualified consistently from 2015-2017. Out again last year.

Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

that is true people seem to forget Belgium prior to 2013

Peter M
Peter M
5 years ago
Reply to  Fun or ban?

Ireland have actually had some really good entries in the last few years. Ryan deserved to qualify last year. The song and the performance was really beautiful. Molly Sterling should’ve qualified, Casey Smith was a shock non-qualifier, Ryan Dolan finishing last in the final was unjust, then before that you have 2 years of Jedward. You’re really being unnecessarily harsh on Ireland with that comment. I think you might have something personal against us. Come back with a reply when your country wins Eurovision 7 times. 😉

Michèle
Michèle
5 years ago
Reply to  Fun or ban?

Charming!!!

Deven O’Kearney
Deven O’Kearney
5 years ago
Reply to  Fun or ban?

No country is irrelevant at Eurovision, especially as in the last five years Austria and Portugal have both won Eurovision. The Netherlands, Belgium and France have also done quite well in that time too. Do you still think they’re “irrelevant countries”? Also, Iceland (another “irrelevant country”) are going to have a very good chance of winning in Tel Aviv if they opt for Hatari tomorrow night.

The only thing that is irrelevant is your comment.

Skeno
Skeno
5 years ago

Imagine Noisestrom representing Ireland.

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

Still think it could be FLYNN.
I never heard of this guy until yesterday, however upon listening to his song “Red Light” turned out I did know him.

He would be ideal for Eurovision. Really hope he goes. He still hasn’t made his announcement yet regarding the “something big happening today” not to mention he is followed on insta by some of the Eurovision fandom.

Floprina
Floprina
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

He said in an instagram story that he’s not doing Eurovision

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Floprina

He could have just been saying that. Until I hear otherwise that it’s not him, I probably still won’t rule him out fully.

Floprina
Floprina
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Whatever his announcement is, it’s today (that’s what Eurovision fans have been hyping)

Katariina
Katariina
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

“He said in an instagram story that he’s not doing Eurovision”

That is literally you hearing otherwise that it’s not him.

Ani
Ani
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

It’s not Flynn he confirmed it wasn’t him

Daan
Daan
5 years ago

Wow, glad to hear at least anything from them! And I thought they’ll forget to send someone

Éamonn
Éamonn
5 years ago
Reply to  Daan

That’s what I thought! We were the only country that hadn’t announced their plans until today.

Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Éamonn

same i was kinda like,are we pulling out?

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
5 years ago
Reply to  Daan

It’s about time. Ireland was really quiet this season. Glad to know they have an act in the wings.

Floprina
Floprina
5 years ago

Get ready for another ballad, with a white young male called Ryan or Shawn! I bet ya!

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Floprina

Well, I loved their last two fitting that description, so bring it on!

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Floprina

Ryan O’Seachnassy was quite successful. 16th position is really not bad for a country that normally struggles to qualify.
I do hope we go with something a little different this year, but if the artist and song are good, then I won’t complain about a white male singing a ballad.

Nobody says anything about the fact that some countries that just send female divas singing ballads with cliche hand movements and big dresses every year.

Ciara
Ciara
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Ireland qualified last year because of those two male dancers not because of the song. The song is just a demo.

Cathal
Cathal
5 years ago
Reply to  Ciara

What evidence is there that it qualified because of the dancers? It was 3rd on iTunes after qualification which showed people liked the song enough to download it.

Éamonn
Éamonn
5 years ago
Reply to  Floprina

We spell it the right way, Seán

Floprina
Floprina
5 years ago
Reply to  Éamonn

I will never understand Irish pronunciation LOL!

Michèle
Michèle
5 years ago
Reply to  Floprina

That’s because it’s a different language

sunny
sunny
5 years ago
Reply to  Floprina

What is the problem with white young male? Do they need to find the only black person in Ireland to please you? Are you racist? Some countries are more white, just like others are more black.

Paul
Paul
5 years ago
Reply to  sunny

SAmantha mumba?

Floprina
Floprina
5 years ago
Reply to  sunny

Go somewhere else snowflake. I was pointing out that they normally send a white male over.

Can’t even use the word white anymore because of this PC generation
pfft

Cathal
Cathal
5 years ago
Reply to  Floprina

Who cares what the race and sexuality is? It’s a song contest.

Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Floprina

Have you ever considered that the majority (not all but majority) of Irish people are pale/fair skinned ,like it’s really worrying if you don’t know that already also I agree with Cathal that it doesn’t matter anyway because it is a SONG contest.

Michèle
Michèle
5 years ago
Reply to  Floprina

That would be Seán