Junior Eurovision 2023 Ireland profile: 'Aisling' by Jessica McKean

This year, Ireland will be represented at Junior Eurovision by Jessica McKean with the song, 'Aisling'.

You can find details on the entry, the artist, and the history of Ireland at Junior Eurovision below.

About the artist: Jessica McKean

At just 10 years of age, Jessica McKean is Ireland's youngest-ever Junior Eurovision contestant. She heralds from Lifford, County Donegal, in Ireland's north-west.

Jessica won her way to Nice by taking out Junior Eurovision Éire, the Irish national selection broadcast on TG4. She won the public vote following a rendition of 1987 Eurovision-winning track 'Hold Me Now', made famous by her countryman Johnny Logan. Jessica won her first-ever Irish dancing title at just three years of age. She lists superstars Adele and Whitney Houston among her inspirations. When she's not on stage, Jessica can be found crafting, playing football or watching YouTube.

About the song: 'Aisling'

'Aisling' is penned by a team of songwriters including Niall Mooney, who was responsible for Ireland's 2009 Eurovision entry, 'Et cetera', which finished 11th in its semi-final. The Irish-language song aims for something both epic in scope and etheral in sound (think Adele's 'Easy on Me' goes to Middle Earth'). With a title meaning 'vision' or 'dream', 'Aisling's' lyrics conjure images of a ye olde traveller being guided through a fantastical landscape of emerald pastures, castles, battles and queens.

The music video, which features a cameo appearance from last year's Irish Junior Eurovision entrant Sophie Lennon, draws heavily on the fantasy genre, with Jessica wandering shadowy woodlands decked out in elven headdress and wizard sleeves.

Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest

Ireland made their debut at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Sofia in 2015, finishing 12th. Last year's fourth place result for 'Solas' was Ireland's best at either Eurovision or Eurovision for 25 years.

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