NIYL — a Limerick born artist whose music sheds a light on the challenges and thrills of being “Queer in the county” — is the last confirmed artist for Eurosong 2025. He’ll sing “Growth” during the Late Late Show Eurosong Special on 7 February. 

NIYL will sing “Growth” in Ireland’s Eurosong 2025 final

Here’s how the Irish broadcaster RTÉ describes NIYL:

NIYL is a Limerick born artist who mixes a unique blend of emotionally fuelled vocals with an electronic sound to deliver a powerful, cinematic; original works. Inspired by artists including London Grammar, Woodkid and Yebba, NIYL has ambitions to establish a new sound within the Irish music industry. A lyricist who draws inspiration from his upbringing in the west of Ireland and the dramatic landscapes of the coast,  NIYL writes as a means of catharsis, channelling emotions through word and song.

NIYL’s ambition is to shed light on the challenges and thrills that come with being ‘queer in the county’. As a queer Irish artist, NIYL’s songs look to amplify queer culture in the Irish music industry with his music. NIYL is currently in the midst of releasing his debut album Parish Is Burning which is being released across 2025. With three releases already published, NIYL has received national recognition from publications including RTE 2FM, Today FM, Hotpress, Extra.ie, The Irish Independent and Irish Examiner.

As a solo artist, NIYL has joined the National Geographic Concert Orchestra as a lead vocalist for their award winning Symphony for our World and has performed as a headline act at Irish festivals Doolin Folk Fest, Live on Air and Go Tobann. Overseas, in 2018 NIYL joined Tony winning songstress Cynthia Erivo for a week-long residency in St. James’s Theatre, London – performing the works of composer Scott Alan. As a backing vocalist NIYL has performed alongside many internationally acclaimed artists including Rufus Wainwright and Dermot Kennedy.

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Orla Burke
Orla Burke
15 days ago

Interesting song ? I think it could be a dark horse

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
15 days ago

This is a good song – and not getting the recognition. – RTE have it no 6 for a reason ..,,

Milan
Milan
20 days ago

Dear admins, I’d think there was a better way of responding to polite criticism than just deleting it. Disappointed.

Jonas
Jonas
18 days ago
Reply to  Milan

Homophobic diatribes are not polite criticism

Milan
Milan
15 days ago
Reply to  Jonas

There was nothing homophobic in what I had written. I wish you could read it (again) and see it for yourself – but unfortunately, as I say, it has been deleted. Now you can accuse me of anything.

Michael Crosse
Michael Crosse
20 days ago

It’s a good song,similar enough to sting and the police. Musically and presentation , which always did well in the charts

XOOOOD
XOOOOD
20 days ago

i guess Ireland success was a one-time thing, the songs are bland as they get, even with the Bambi wannabe her song is like an AI generated text sung by a someone in heavy autotune, but he she got the badass look!

Jonas
Jonas
20 days ago

I just listened to the song. I like it, but doubt its chances. Not immediate enough.

Zisk
Zisk
20 days ago

I rather quite like it. Not sure how it’ll deliver on stage though but I could see it taking the jury vote.

Stian F
Stian F
20 days ago

Great song. The most unique of them. Feels like a song that could have been in the Ukrainian final, but still being accessible. Eurosong really managed to come up with 6 great songs and variation as well. Go Ireland!

Blerk
Blerk
21 days ago

I’m not a homophobe of any sorts.

But are all of these contestants delusional enough to think that they’re in any way “special” for being queer?

The contest has essentially been taken over by them, so being queer at Eurovision is essentially rather mainstream than special. Eurovision is being mocked worldwide for its promotion of LGBTQ and yet we just continue pumping, pumping and pumping

But of course, swear words (which everyone uses) are not “family friendly” enough. The irony is staggering.

Jonas
Jonas
21 days ago
Reply to  Blerk

You ARE homophobic, sorry to break it to you. Also extremely ignorant. Have a nice day.

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
20 days ago
Reply to  Jonas

Incorrect- how did people manage hundreds years ago without all this in your face identity stuff- it’s not needed just live in peace ??

Jonas
Jonas
20 days ago
Reply to  Orla Burke

They didn’t manage. They repressed their true selves, leading to mental issues severely decreasing the quality of life. Suicide for some. All because of people like you.

musica
musica
20 days ago
Reply to  Orla Burke

Tell that to Oscar Wilde. Who was, you know, famously imprisoned for his homosexuality. “Just live in peace”, yeah right.

Jonas
Jonas
20 days ago
Reply to  musica

An Irishman, like NYIL…

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
15 days ago
Reply to  musica

Oscar Wilde is he next on the stage at Eurovision ?
Quentin Crisp too ?

Andrew
Andrew
21 days ago
Reply to  Blerk

What do you mean by “promotion of LGBTQ”? Do you mean visibility? You are an extremely ignorant and rather stupid individual.

Blerk
Blerk
20 days ago
Reply to  Andrew

Too much is too much. Eurovision is a queer-friendly space, but it’s literally turned into facerubbing queerness, which among other things caused the contest’s decline.

SEIMÍ
SEIMÍ
20 days ago
Reply to  Blerk

I’m gay and I agree with you, it feels like everyone is trying to outqueer everyone else in an effort to get noticed, in many cases the most important quality is missing, talent.
You’ve got 3 minutes to grab someone’s attention in ESC, the song should be doing that but what we’ve got here is 3 minutes of going nowhere, with no high points, people are easily impressed.

musica
musica
20 days ago
Reply to  Blerk

The contest’s decline? Eurovision has spawned some massive worldwide hits and acts in recent years. Much more so than the decades before. Who cares about the standard prejudice from people who don’t really follow the contest?

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
15 days ago
Reply to  Blerk

It’s a Waterloo basically

musica
musica
20 days ago
Reply to  Blerk

I’m not a homophobe, yet I consider openly gay people to be just as crass as swearing on live tv. Okay.

Andrew
Andrew
20 days ago
Reply to  musica

What does openly gay mean? Are you openly stupid?

Jonas
Jonas
20 days ago
Reply to  Andrew

I think musica was just paraphrasing poor Blerk

musica
musica
20 days ago
Reply to  Andrew

You are rather stupid if you don’t realise I’m paraphrasing the guy above. Pick your battles, dude.

Andrew
Andrew
20 days ago
Reply to  musica

Oh god I’m gay AND stupid. In the words of Jendrik – SORRY!!

Denis
Denis
20 days ago
Reply to  Blerk

What of his song is promotion?

Jonas
Jonas
21 days ago

Reminder to the homophobic complainers that simply existing and being present dors not equate to a takeover!

Jonas
Jonas
21 days ago
Reply to  Jonas

Does

Andrew
Andrew
21 days ago
Reply to  Jonas

It’s incredibly threatening to some straight people that LGBTQ individuals have visibility, representation, and a voice.

Jonas
Jonas
20 days ago
Reply to  Andrew

Theses fools still think it’s a “lifestyle choice” or some sort of contagious cult – and not just a fact of nature. Sad.

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
15 days ago
Reply to  Andrew

And sometimes terrible fashion sense – that can be the most shocking

David Damen
David Damen
21 days ago

i think its mid its better than Adgy Bobbi Arlo and Emmy but not as good as Samantha Mumba and Reylta

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
15 days ago
Reply to  David Damen

U like Sam Mumba? That’s interesting – she will be the most professional of all the performers however

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
21 days ago

I definitely don’t think it’s the worst of the six; quite interesting actually. It feels very honest and heartfelt.

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
15 days ago
Reply to  Leendert Jan

Correct – it’s actually the top 2

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
21 days ago

Beautiful message, but the song is just bad.

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
15 days ago
Reply to  GojoSatoru

It’s not bad you just don’t get it – how can a song be bad? Just think about that

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
15 days ago
Reply to  GojoSatoru

I’d love to know what u consider a good song – so tell everyone what a good song is in your opinion.

Fluffy
Fluffy
21 days ago

I am not a fan of it, weakest of the six

Fionn
Fionn
21 days ago

This is really good

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
21 days ago

Weakest of the six but at least it adds a bit of variety for those who like this style of music

Leo M
Leo M
21 days ago

Full song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd5_zn7eh8s

It’s not bad, but probably my least favourite of the six