A Donegal mother and daughter braved the frost for a very special trip to Galway last weekend.
Brí Carr and her daughter Caela were specially selected to sit on the Ireland judge’s panel for the 2022 Junior Eurovision Song Contest but had to keep it secret until the live show last weekend.
The event took place in the city of Yerevan in host country Armenia, and Ireland’s chosen contestant was Sophie Lennon, the star for county Down.
She wore a gorgeous glistening gown and powerfully performed her song ‘Solas’ through clouds of dramatic smoke in front of the backdrop of a lighthouse.
Sophie’s music video for ‘Solas’ is ‘as Gaeilge’ and has been shared widely across Donegal- as it features the iconic Fanad lighthouse that sits on the edge of the wild Atlantic.
The powerful performance helped Ireland to achieve the highest ever number of votes received in the junior contest, placing fourth overall.
Meanwhile across the ocean, adjudication took place in the TG4 studio in Galway on Saturday and the event was broadcast on Sunday.
The panel was comprised of three adults and two children, and each was required to have a background in song writing or performing.
Speaking to the Donegal News Brí explained what went down in studio, she said all of the judges were “sworn to secrecy”. She said she was bursting with excitement and struggled to keep her lips sealed in the days and weeks leading up to the event.
Brí explained that the voting set up was “meticulous”. Each judge had to stay in separate rooms and they had to anonymously submit their preferences.
She explained how judging can be very subjective when it comes to music, and how after the voting had closed she discovered her favourite performance ended up being her daughter’s least favourite.
The overall winner was France, which Ireland as a group had chosen as their top performer. Brí laughed and said the judges had “great taste”.
Brí highly praised Adare productions, which were behind the production, for the countless opportunities they continue to create for young artists.
She also advised budding musicians to keep an eye out as auditions for next year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest open in early 2023.
Caela, Brí’s daughter is a star in her own right, her group Wild Atlantic Wains’ Christmas single will air on RTE on Christmas Day.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)