It’s been a long, teaser-free 3 months since RTÉ launched Eurosong 2014. But that’s all changing, as RTE have finally revealed the five Irish contenders. They are: Patricia Roe, Eoghan Quigg, Can-linn, Andrew Mann and Laura O’Neill. You can get to know them below, and then read our step-by-step instructions on how to listen to their songs on Thursday.
The contestants
Patricia Roe. This Eurosong veteran narrowly missed representing Ireland in both 1992 and 1993, losing to eventual Eurovision winners Linda Martin and Niamh Kavanagh. She’ll be singing a song she wrote called “Don’t Hold On”. Here she is singing her song for Eurosong 1992.
Eoghan Quigg. Eoghan came to fame on the X Factor. His mentor Mark Murphy described him this way in RTE’s official release of today’s news: “Any 15-year-old told ‘You’ve got it’ by Simon Cowell has to have talent and I believe my act Eoghan Quigg has all the qualities needed to represent Ireland at the highest level.” You can watch his X Factor audition below. Eoghan will sing “The Movie Song” at Eurosong.
Can-linn. “Can-linn” is derived from the Irish words meaning “to sing together.” The group includes traditional Irish instruments like the fiddle and bodhrán, and according to RTE is complimented “by the urban-styled vocals of Kasey Smith, who rose to fame with the BT Music Award nominated girlband Wonderland in 2010 under the tutelage of Louis Walsh and Kian Egan.” You will likely remember that Kasey came third at last year’s Eurosong with the song “Kiss Me”.
Andrew Mann. In 2007 Andrew fell from a three-storey building and almost died. He spent months in a wheelchair, and doctors were not sure whether he’d ever walk again. But you can’t keep him down. Andrew went on to release his first album “Hidden in Plain Sight” in 2010 and is made it to the quarterfinals of The Voice of Ireland in 2013.
Laura O’Neill. Currently a wedding singer, Laura O’Neill made it to the boot-camp stage on X Factor back in 2011. She’ll compete with a song called, “You don’t remember me”.
“I first heard Laura O’Neill singing at our bass player Rod O’Brien’s wedding I knew she could deliver this song like no other singer could.,” her mentor Billy McGuinness told RTE. “When we were recording the song she blew everyone away and I think if she were to release this song tomorrow she would have a massive hit with it. I really feel she has a great future ahead of her.”
The Thursday Reveal
This brings to an end the speculation surrounding Samantha Mumba, and suggests that the bookies were misguided to favour Keith Hanley and various Westlife members. But we hope you Samantha fans will still tune in tomorrow to hear the songs.
Their songs will be revealed and played in full on both RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ 2FM. Here are all the details you’ll need to tune in.
The songs will premier on 2FM during The Rick O’Shea Show just after 14.00 GMT. However, if you miss that they will be played again on Radio 1 in a Mooney Show Eurosong special from 15.00. At the time of writing RTÉ have released very little details regarding the show. But as in prior years, we presume that Derek will be joined by a number of Eurovision related guests to discuss the 5 entries.
Both shows will be streamed live via the RTÉ Radio Player. Click here for 2FM and here for Radio 1. (Remember proceedings start on 2FM first at 14.00).
If like me, you are otherwise tied up with “worky” things on a Thursday afternoon, both shows will be made available for playback on the RTÉ website.
Padraig Jude contributed this report from Ireland. Follow him on Twitter at @PadraigJude. And while you’re at it, like our Facebook page to stay up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip.
the last three on that list sound the most promising. Not Eoghan Quigg, urgh, he was irritating enough on the x factor.
Wow, Laura O’Neill sounds lovely. Hope her song really stands out. Haha omg, Eurosong back then was so big :O & with an orchestra.
No! Sinead Mulvey should be one of them!
No one of this is something special for me! Better up Ireland if you do not will be last in ESC!
The only acts that stand out to me are Can-linn and Laura O’Neil. But then again, you can’t really judge until you hear the songs.
off topic: dr may have to move eurovision to Herning, because they don’t have enough money for renovating b&w hallerne. it’s everywhere in danish news today.