Ireland’s Eurovision 2025 selection will be made tonight on The Late Late Show’s Eurosong special.
Six hopefuls will battle it out to represent Ireland in Basel, Switzerland, in May at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, with the country's selection kicking off at 9.35pm on RTÉ One.
Viewers will have the opportunity to cast their vote for their favourite song and help decide Ireland’s representation, who will perform in front of an audience of over 160 million people worldwide.
However, the winner will be picked by a three way vote, with an international jury and national jury also having a part in selecting the Irish entry. Each group will account for one third of the final result.
The show will be hosted by The Late Late Show frontman Patrick Kielty who will be joined by an expert in-studio panel, featuring last year’s Eurosong winner Bambie Thug, alongside radio presenter Laura Fox, chef Donal Skehan and choreographer Arthur Gourounlian.
At the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Doomsday Blue, performed by Bambie Thug, scored 278 points and took Ireland back to the Top 10 of the Grand Final for the first time since 2011.
The competing Eurosong acts, and their songs, are:
Bobbi Arlo, Powerplay
Reylta, Fire
Adgy, Run into the Night
Emmy, Laika Party
Samantha Mumba, My Way
NIYL, Growth
But who are these performers?
Bobbi Arlo
An electropop vocalist, Arlo is a rising star in the Irish music scene, having gained notable recognition, including a nomination for Song of the Year at the RTÉ Choice Music Awards for her track Feel It.
She has sold out shows in Dublin, performed at major festivals like Primavera, and earned widespread airplay. In 2024, she was named Gay Times & Coca-Cola Artist of the Year.
Her sound is vibrant and enigmatic, blending club-ready beats with personal, soul-baring lyrics.
Reylta
Originally from Galway, Reylta’s music blends bittersweet melodies with a layered, alternative edge. Her work is rooted deeply in Irish tradition and heritage, painting a hauntingly unique perspective.
She has said a targeted ad on Instagram is to thank for her entry into this year’s Eurosong, but notably signed a letter in 2024 alongside 400 other artists calling for Bambie Thug, to boycott the competition because of Israel’s participation.
When asked about this, Reylta said that she had “put her song in for the craic” and that having signed the letter last year, would sign it again.
She declined to comment however on whether or not she would go to the competition if she is selected on Friday night.
Adgy
Hailing from Gaoth Dobhair in Co Donegal, Adgy actually competed in Eurosong in 2023 and although being unsuccessful then, has high hopes for 2025.
Since 2023, he has taken time to develop his music and grow as an artist, going travelling and eventually making his way back to London.
Adgy is a prolific songwriter with over 12 million streams, a deal with Universal Music Group, and a publishing deal with Spirit BMG under his belt, and draws inspiration from his roots in the Donegal Gaeltacht.
Samantha Mumba
This woman needs no introduction. She is a distinguished Irish singer-songwriter, dancer and actress who rose to international acclaim aged 17 with her debut single, Gotta Tell You.
Her career has been marked by versatility, artistry and enduring appeal, with Mumba remaining an influential figure whose work transcends genres and mediums.
Emmy
This 24 year old Norwegian singer-songwriter was born and raised in a family that loves music, and began making her own songs aged just seven years old.
In 2021, she competed in Norway’s pre-selection for Eurovision, but today, she is especially known for singing on TikTok, with a profile with over 1.2 million followers.
She said previously that she met a songwriter from Ireland at a songwriting camp so “it felt natural to submit the song for Ireland.”
NIYL
NIYL is a Limerick-born artist who mixes emotionally fuelled vocals with an energetic sound to deliver powerful, cinematic, original works.
As a queer Irish artist, NIYL’s songs look to amplify queer culture in the Irish music industry with his music.
NIYL has also performed alongside many internationally acclaimed artists including Rufus Wainwright and Dermot Kennedy as a backing vocalist.
Is Israel competing this year?
Yes, and the country have chosen Yuval Raphael as their performer.
However, there is a possible rule violation, with the song having sparked controversy because it reportedly includes verses from the biblical Song of Songs, according to Euromix.
Eurovision rules require lyrics to be entirely original, not taken from existing texts. The European Broadcasting Union has yet to approve the song, but in the coming days, officials will review whether the lyrics comply with contest regulations, an article on Euromix said.
If any issues were to be found, modifications may be necessary, as has happened in cases in the past.
Raphael was in attendance at the Nova Sukkot Gathering music festival in Re’im on October 7th 2023, when Hamas militants attacked the festival.
She hid with 50 other people inside a death shelter with 50 other people, and sustained shrapnel injuries from grenades thrown into the shelter. She was one of 11 survivors in the shelter, having hid under dead bodies for eight hours.
In the final of the Israeli artist selection for Eurovision 2025 in January, Raphael dedicated her performance of Dancing Queen to those killed in the Nova attack.
Raphael has said she still has shrapnel in her hand and leg from the festival attack, where some 400 people died.
In response to the attack, the IDF launched an air and ground campaign in Gaza, during which more than 47,100 Palestinians have been killed, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
