National final season is fast approaching, and the artists vying for the Eurovision ticket are popping up across the continent. Folk-metal band Cruachan have confirmed they have submitted a song as a contender to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023

The Dublin band broke the news of their entry shortly after RTÉ confirmed the Eurosong Late Late Show Special selection format will return to choose Ireland’s 2023 entry. 

On Saturday 1 October, frontman Keith Fay announced on Twitter the band’s intention to compete.

Cruachan submit Ireland Eurovision 2023 song

Cruachan is a folk-metal band from Dublin, Ireland. Formed in the 1990s, the group take their name from the Rathcroghan archeological site in County Roscommon. 

The Irish band features Joe Farrell on bass, Audrey Trainor on violin, David Quinn on guitars, Tom Woodlock on drums and founder Keith Fay on vocals, keyboards, guitars and mandolin.

Cruachan is heavily inspired by Celtic mythology, often writing lyrics in Irish and using traditional Irish instruments on their tracks.

Through a series of lineup changes over the years since their initial formation, the group is ready to take on a new challenge as they bid for the Irish ticket to Eurovision.

On Twitter, Keith Fay wrote: “We have submitted a specially recorded song for consideration to represent Ireland in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.”

Fans expressed their support for the band’s bid. 

On Twitter, Marnie wrote: “This is how I hear about you guys and honestly you have my absolute support I would pass away this is what I’ve been wanting at Eurovision for so long”.

To become the next Irish Eurovision entry, Cruachan will need to fight off the competition in the Eurosong Late Late Show Special

RTÉ is looking for “contemporary artists and songwriters with the talent and ambition to compete and succeed in this highly competitive environment”. The broadcaster adds this is “probably not an opportunity for beginners or people with limited or no experience of performing in public to large crowds”, emphasising their preference for experienced veterans.

In 2022, The Voice alum Brooke won the competition and earned the right to sing “That’s Rich” for her country in Turin. Brooke failed to qualify for the final, placing 15th in her semi-final. 

What do you think? Would you like to see Cruachan perform at Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below.

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Romaric
Romaric
1 year ago

I’ve been dreaming of Irish Celtic rock metal at Eurovision for years !!! I hope that will happen !

Paul
Paul
1 year ago

Oh I love this, I’m Irish and folk metal is literally my thing… Would love to see Primordial compete but this is a good alternative, lets hear the song and if its good hope the Irish public wants something different to safe pop, it’ll be difficult to convince them after the last time we properly strayed from safety was Dustin.

As an aside we’re talking dream folk metal bands competing in Eurovision I want Korpiklaani.

Bart
Bart
1 year ago

I really like the Celtic style! I hope it’s a good song too!

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

Sometimes I think the new backing vocals rules would be worth it if it meant Enya could represent Ireland.

Alvin
Alvin
1 year ago

OMG awkward thing just happened!!!

I just saw a post from Eurovision Fans Facebook group which is now deleted by the admin!!!

An international beauty pageant called “Miss Grand International” is currently happening in Bali, Indonesia, and Miss Russia and Miss Ukraine were assigned as roommates in a live video in the official Facebook page of Miss Grand International!!! How awkward!!!!

Alvin
Alvin
1 year ago
Reply to  Alvin

Even more awkward is that, the pageant organizer allows Belarus and Crimea to take part as well!!!

Hello hi
Hello hi
1 year ago
Reply to  Alvin

The US , France , UK etc take part . Where is their accountability

Hello hi
Hello hi
1 year ago
Reply to  Alvin

If we were talking about world peace very few countries could actually take part

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

Could be interesting, but I’d rather hear the songs first before making hasty assumptions. We’ve had enough instances where more well known artists came with very subpar songs to a national selection or Eurovision in the grand scheme, and lesser known artists ending up on a higher perch. I don’t know how well known these folks are, but I wouldn’t mind if Ireland selects these folks, as long as the song is good enough.

Skdkf
Skdkf
1 year ago
Reply to  Vivian

They can’t it’s against RTEs rules

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Skdkf

The rules say not before 1st September 2022, at least that’s what the last Wiwi articles said.

Samira
Samira
1 year ago

Hoping it’s more like Hungary 2005 than France 2022 in terms of ethnic influence

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago

Checked out one of their much older songs, Pagan, and liked it much more than the one from this article but stuff like that would really scare the eurofans.

Michaelcrosse
Michaelcrosse
1 year ago
Reply to  Midnight Gold

There is a decent melody there beneath the heavy Stuff the heavy stuff percussion and guitars ain’t bad either

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

My dream band to send to Eurovision would’ve been Young Wonder but sadly they broke up. That said, that sort of Celtic electro-pop would’ve been a total change of pace that is needed

Michael crosse
Michael crosse
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

Yea or something akin to dearg doon by the horse slips could do well too

Tadhg
Tadhg
1 year ago

I’m Irish and have never heard of them, a quick listen to that clip above probably confirms why they’re not exactly a household name in their home country.
Next please.

Hello hi
Hello hi
1 year ago

Is it true about Lisa hannigan being interested ??

Liv
Liv
1 year ago
Reply to  Hello hi

I’d love it if she was. Where did you hear she was interested?

Darren
Darren
1 year ago

Would be a massive change of pace for Ireland, who have grown accustomed to mid-tempo singer songwriter pop.
Sounds good on paper, but don’t is vital. This could either be a Måneskin moment…or a Blind Channel moment.
Also, bare in mind that the ridiculously conservative and set in their ways RTÉ might not even shortlist it.

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
1 year ago

I’ve not heard of this band, but they sound very intriguing. I prefer this to something like Heartbeat (2014), which was a dull song that was made to Irish. I wonder if they have performed in Glasgow or Liverpool at any point?
I’d like to see Ireland make more effort next year, as both those cities have a strong Irish presence

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

I’m not a fan, but they’re a step in the right direction for Ireland. At least they’ll add some diversity to the NF.

Ireland needs to incorporate their cultural sounds into modern tracks. Israel’s music scene is full of modern songs with ethnic elements, and it’s fantastic. Ukraine’s NF acts also know how to incorporate modern sounds with cultural beats. Look at KAZKA, Go_A and Khayat, whilst their music is modern and fresh, it’s also cultural.

Michael crosse
Michael crosse
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

Yes France almost won in 1991 by representing their ethnic minority with a French Moroccan sound

Michael crosse
Michael crosse
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

Yes ala French Moroccan sound 1991 which almost won

Go_A stan
Go_A stan
1 year ago

If they’re selected for ELLSS and the other songs are like those they had last year, I’d see them doing well in the televote. The jury’s opinion could go any way depending on how “mainstream” their song is.

Go_A stan
Go_A stan
1 year ago
Reply to  Go_A stan

Love the group tho

Zisk
Zisk
1 year ago

I love it. It’s something different. That means RTÉ are going to completely ignore it because it’s not what they think the contest is about.

ESC8
ESC8
1 year ago

I didn’t know the group before this article, but I would definitely like to see them on Eurovision stage representing Ireland. I’d prefer a more dynamic song though than the one cited above. It could either do really well or sink. Imo Ireland has nothing to lose, it finished last in the semis 2 years in a row (2019-2021, we didn’t have a contest in 2020), what’s the worst thing that could happen? Of course this is all way too theoretical now. They have to be one of those 5-6 songs of the national selection and then win the selection,… Read more »

Nicky
Nicky
1 year ago

no chance whatsoever in the NF, lol

XOOOD
XOOOD
1 year ago

I will stick with my generic pop tbh

Michael crosse
Michael crosse
1 year ago

Worth a try I was at a party last week a former teacher was present he launched into oh ro se de bha amhaile and everyone joined in something similar might take off
Eurovision wise or then again it could end up like a trad Irish group that got little or no points years ago

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Michael crosse

Yes, provided it’s not Dervish # 2.

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago

Looking forward to hearing their entry for Eurosong then! I’ve been wanting Ireland to send folk metal for a long time so hopefully this will be good!

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago

I absolutely agree with you !

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

I’m excited about this. Hopefully the song they submit will be in Irish.

Skdkf
Skdkf
1 year ago

Hopefully the song is good, I’ve heard some of their songs and they aren’t bad they’re different hopefully more “established” singers/bands will enter

Skdkf
Skdkf
1 year ago
Reply to  Skdkf

I also think we could see more singers that would like to become the Irish sam ryder

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
1 year ago

Aside from having being raised on this kind of music, I am extremely interested in the prospect of a folk metal band representing us at Eurovision because Ireland has form for playing it safe and not qualifying, as a result. They’d be our most daring act ever. What’s more is that they have the experience of performing at festivals around Europe and beyond, too, which counts for a lot as far as RTÉ are concerned. My only concern now is, “have they written a song that conforms to the three minute rule?”, because most of their songs are about five… Read more »

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago

If they have something really good, I hope they get selected for the national final. Good luck to them