Ireland knocked out of Eurovision 2025

EMMY, singer for Ireland in the Eurovision song contest

Eurovision singer EMMY for Ireland. Credit: Instagram @emmykgk00

Ireland’s Eurovision hopes have come to a halt for 2025, as singer EMMY failed to qualify for Saturday’s Grand Final in Basel, Switzerland.

The Norwegian-born artist, representing Ireland, performed Laika Party during Thursday’s second semi-final (May 15), but didn’t make it through to the next stage, dashing hopes of another Irish Eurovision comeback.

Ireland, tied with Sweden for the most wins in the contest’s history, had been looking to build on last year’s success when Bambie Thug came sixth. But it seemingly wasn’t meant to be.

EMMY: “A childhood dream come true”

Speaking after the result, EMMY expressed pride and gratitude.
“There are so many emotions. This was a childhood dream coming true, so first of all I am grateful,” cited by the Irish Independent.

“Of course I am a bit sad if I have disappointed Ireland. But at the same time, they have been so nice and supportive, and we have received so many beautiful messages.”

She admitted the qualifier announcements were “nerve-wracking” and said she sensed Ireland’s fate as other favourites were called early. “We kind of gave up halfway through… We had a little hope.”

Ireland’s Eurovision highs

Ireland’s last win came in 1996 with The Voice by Eimear Quinn. Ireland has seven wins in total, a joint record with Sweden. Johnny Logan famously won twice, with What’s Another Year (1980) and Hold Me Now (1987).

Despite an early exit, Irish fans turned out in force and rallied behind EMMY both online and outside the arena.

The Eurovision final, taking place Saturday, May 17, will feature:

  • Albania | Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm
  • Armenia | PARG – SURVIVOR
  • Austria | JJ – Wasted Love
  • Denmark | Sissal – Hallucination
  • Estonia | Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato
  • Finland | Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME
  • France | Louane – maman
  • Germany | Abor & Tynna – Baller
  • Greece | Klavdia – Asteromáta
  • Iceland | VÆB – RÓA
  • Israel | Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise
  • Italy | Lucio Corsi – Volevo Essere Un Duro
  • Latvia | Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi
  • Lithuania | Katarsis – Tavo Akys
  • Luxembourg | Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son
  • Malta | Miriana Conte – SERVING
  • Netherlands | Claude – C’est La Vie
  • Norway | Kyle Alessandro – Lighter
  • Poland | Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA
  • Portugal | NAPA – Deslocado
  • San Marino | Gabry Ponte – Tutta L’Italia
  • Spain | Melody – ESA DIVA
  • Sweden | KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu
  • Switzerland | Zoë Më – Voyage
  • Ukraine | Ziferblat – Bird of Pray
  • United Kingdom | Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened?

View all news from Ireland.

Letara Draghia
Written by

Letara Draghia

Letara is a seasoned lifestyle journalist and copywriter with over a decade of experience writing for leading UK brands including Harrods, John Lewis, and Dreams. She specialises in lifestyle, property, wellness, fashion, and consumer tech—helping brands connect with their audiences through compelling, on-brand storytelling. Since relocating to Spain in 2022, Letara has been a regular contributor to Euro Weekly News, covering local culture, expat life, community events, and family-focused stories. Her deep understanding of both British and Spanish lifestyles allows her to craft content that resonates strongly with the expat community.

Comments


    • Michael Ryan

      17 May 2025 • 18:30

      I know I should not say this but a country famous for it music, art, poetry, using a foreign singer to represent it in an international singing contest does not deserve to win anyway. I listen to Irish music every single day. The songs and voices are just incredible, the singers available in Ireland is astounding. So I hope this is a lesson to the Irish people to always use a genuine Irish singer, you already have the best in the world anyway and lets be honest the Eurovision song contest is a bit of a fake. It has nothing to do with good music, it all about politics, every year we see the winner is the ´´political´´ choice so in the end maybe it is better that Ireland does not take part in this farce.

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