Norwegian singer EMMY was crowned champion on Friday night's Late Late Show Eurosong Special with her track Laika Party and will now represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland this May.
Speaking after it was announced she had won, the 24-year-old singer said: "I'm just in shock, thank you so so much. This can't be happening."
She added: "I hope I will make you proud. Thank you guys."
EMMY said that she met a songwriter from Ireland at a songwriting camp so "it felt natural to submit the song for Ireland".
She began making her own songs at the age of seven and her career got a kick-start in 2015 when, as a 15-year-old, she participated in Melodi Grand Prix Junior, one of the biggest music competitions in her country, for children.
Six years later, in 2021, she participated in Melodi Grand Prix, Norway's national selection of a song for the Eurovision Song Contest.
The winner was chosen by the combined votes of a public phone vote, an international jury and a national jury.
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in St. Jakobshalle, Basel, Switzerland after Nemo took home the trophy for Switzerland in 2024.
The Eurovision Semi-Finals will take place on Tuesday 13 May and Thursday 15 May with the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final taking place on Saturday 17 May.
Sweden shares the record for most Eurovision wins together with Ireland - with a tally of seven victories each at the contest.
Ireland first entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965 and famously won four out of five contests in the 1990s and became the first country to win three years in a row.
The story of the night:
Adgy - Run into the Night
First up was Donegal-born Adgy with his track Run into the Night, which he describes as "unique" with a "strong Celtic influence".
The artist has written the song with his sister Jennie, who performed alongside him, and it was produced by Eurovision legend Ivan Klymenko (Kalush - Stefania, the 2022 winner).
He previously said of the song: "My kind of music is pop, it's EDM, it's very contemporary, but there's a very strong Celtic influence in this track. It comes from the fiddle, it resonates in the tone and the lyrics."
Dancing with the Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian added: "Congrats, it's never easy to be the first one. I like the Celtic element. I was waiting for the crescendo and it happened. It’s the type of song I’d put on my playlist."
Donal Skehan, who came runner-up to Dustin the Turkey in 2008's Eurosong, said: "I thought that was a really polished entry to start the show with."
Last year's Irish contestant Bambie Thug said: "It feels like one that you could just play at any time. I loved the chemistry between them. The vocals in the studio sounded beautiful."
Bobbi Arlo - Powerplay
Second to the stage was Bobbi Arlo with her track Powerplay. Known for her vibrant, enigmatic sound, Bobbi, who draws inspiration from artists like Shygirl and Sega Bodega, blends club-ready beats with deeply personal lyrics.
She says she is a "huge Eurovision fan first and foremost" and praised Bambie Thug, last year's Irish contestant, for being "inspiring".
Arthur said: "Bobbi Arlo has the power and no one is taking it away from her! I felt like I was on my motorbike riding around the world with that song in my head."
Donal added: "You can hear the reaction from Bobbi here in the studio, it's like Bambie's from last year."
Laura said: "It was so good. I am a huge fan of Bobby Arlo. I loved that, I think the only thing missing is the Eurovision stage."
Bambie exclaimed: "Obviously, there was a vision, and I could see the vision. I think she could do good things."
Reylta - Fire
Galway native Reylta was the third act of the night with her track Fire, which she believes is "a magic song".
She's been singing and songwriting from a young age and has been performing with her band since 2017, releasing her debut single, Fools Games, in 2019.
Reylta's music is described as being "rooted deeply in Irish tradition and heritage". She previously said Fire is about those electrifying moments when you first meet someone.
"The song is really dramatic. I think it's a magic song. I'm very excited to be here but it’s the song that has gotten me this far. It’s about passion and when you feel that instant chemistry with somebody," she said.
Laura said: "There's no denying that Reylta has a fine set of lungs on her, but I just don’t see us going far in Eurovision with it. I can’t see Fire having that big of a draw or appeal."
Bambie added: "I definitely felt the mythical energy, but you need something to stand out. Although it's a beautiful song…you need to make an impact competing against so many other countries."
Arthur chimed in: "I feel like it's a beautiful song for a movie soundtrack for when the credits are rolling."
Donal said: "I think we have seen the end of traditional Irish stuff at Eurovision. We need a modern take on what this contest can become."
Samantha Mumba - My Way
Dublin singer-songwriter Samantha Mumba took to the stage next with her uplifting track My Way.
The singer said she had been "asked about it (Eurovision) for years" and that "she really wanted to do it" but she didn't know the "powers that be".
"This year though, is a very personal year for me and I really want to challenge myself and push myself out of my comfort zone," she said.
Mumba shot to international acclaim at just 17 with her 2000 debut single, Gotta Tell You. The song became a global phenomenon, achieving top five positions in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where it peaked at No 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Arthur said: "It was very long to start. It felt like ten different demos put together in one song. The vocals were there but I couldn't relate at all."
Donal added: "I loved that there was a dining table involved in the routine. Samantha is a phenomenal part of music history. I think if she goes to Eurovision there is an opportunity for a revamp."
Laura said: "Samantha Mumba is an icon in her own right, I would play her music anytime. As we know Eurovision is its own beast in itself. I just think that My Way might be a little too slow to get into it."
Bambie explained: "I was thinking that a revamp could actually boost it. It actually could be elevated more. A revamp could be needed to push it."
NIYL - Growth
The penultimate act, was Limerick-born artist NIYL with his track Growth.
NIYL is billed as mixing "a unique blend of emotionally fuelled vocals with an electronic sound to deliver powerful, cinematic, original works".
As a queer Irish artist, NIYL wants to "amplify queer culture in the Irish music industry with his music".
He said he is "so stoked" to take part in Eurosong. "I've always wanted to enter a song into the Eurovision, and this is definitely a banger!" NIYL said.
Arthur said: "The vocals were out-of-this-world. They were absolutely incredible. I think it would have been better without the dancers and if you were just standing there on your own."
Bambie added: "I would lose the dancers completely. I would like to see more focus on NIYL. I honestly think that would be a great one to send."
Laura said: "When we talk about a song that kicks off from the very beginning that's what it is. It’s class!"
Donal said: "That was without a doubt phenomenal. This is what modern Irish Eurovision is all about. This is the one that gives us the potential for a Eurovision qualifying entry."
EMMY - Laika Party
The final act of the night was 24-year-old Norwegian singer EMMY with her song Laika Party. She said that she met a songwriter from Ireland at a songwriting camp so "it felt natural to submit the song for Ireland".
EMMY began making her own songs at the age of seven and her career got a kick-start in 2015 when, as a 15-year-old, she participated in Melodi Grand Prix Junior, one of the biggest music competitions in her country, for children.
Six years later, in 2021, she participated in Melodi Grand Prix, Norway's national selection of a song for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Today, EMMY is especially known for singing on TikTok and has 1.2 million followers around the world.
Bambie said: "That song has been in my head since I've heard it. I love it. I think it’s a bop. Her vocals sound the same as it does on the record."
Laura added: "I danced and sang the whole way through it."
Arthur explained: "Honestly, this is the performance of the night. Its my guilty pleasure."
Donal said: "That is a straight out of the box Eurovision ready entry there."
Special guests on the night:
Eurovision royalty Linda Martin, Niamh Kavanagh and Eimear Quinn came together for the first time to perform their version of Loreen's Tattoo - Sweden's winning song in 2023.
Dancing with the Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian took up the fourth spot on the feedback panel.
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