Gaoth Dobhair born singer Maria McCool will be performing the song Tears Of An Angel competing against five other acts for this great opportunity.
Maria is a member of a well-known musical family from Gaoth Dobhair, but lives in Meath where she teaches in a Gaelscoil.
Her singing and musical talents have been nurtured from an early age and the soft soothing melodious tones of Maria’s singing voice have entertained international audiences at festivals in St. Louis, Boston, Chicago and Lorient in Brittany, France.
In August 2009 she released a new album, titled Doagh, and two years prior to that she released another album, Ailleog. She is a daughter of Seán and Bríd McCool.
The other acts the Carrick native will be up against are former You’re A Star winner Donna McCaul (Song: Rocket Launch) who wants a second stab at the Eurovision, this time without her brother Joe; Dublin singer/songwriter Andrew Mann (Song: Here I Am), whom you may remember singing The Farm’s All Together Now in the Tidy Towns ads; and David Shannon with Boogie Nights Showband star Úna Gibney (Song: Language of Love).
Another act that just can’t get enough of the Eurovision Song Contest and want another stab at it, are Jedward who are back this year with a new song, On Top Of The World.
Each act is mentored by an Irish personality of the show business and the songs were premiered on RTÉ Radio 1’s Derek Mooney Show.
The songs will be getting national radio play in the lead up to the national selection when the winner will be selected through public televoting and regional juries.
The finalists will perform their songs at the Irish national final to be held on February 24 during The Late Late Show on RTE One.