RTÉ has revealed the act, song and accompanying video that will represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.
The song, entitled ’22’, will be performed by Sarah McTernan – and was written by Janieck, Marcia “Misha” Sondeijker and Roulsen.
Speaking about being selected to represent Ireland, Sarah said, “It’s like an early birthday present! My 25th birthday is next Monday and if you’d told me last year that I’d be chosen to represent my country at Eurovision, performing the song for the first time on Dancing with the Stars this Sunday, and then flying to Tel Aviv on my birthday to record a postcard, I would have told you – you were crazy!”
???????? @Sarah_McTernan will represent Ireland with ’22’ at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv.https://t.co/KjrxUOn97d
Watch the full music video: https://t.co/Srk9CceTbC#DareToDream #Eurovision
— Eurovision (@Eurovision) March 8, 2019
“My Mom, Nana, family and friends are super excited for me – they’re shocked and very proud. I can’t wait to teach my biggest fan – my 2 ½ year old daughter Mia- all the lyrics to “22”!”
The song will receive its first airplay at 9am on Friday morning on The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio 1.
Sarah will be interviewed on The Nicky Byrne Show with Jenny Greene on 2FM at 12:30pm on Friday, and by Ray D’Arcy on RTÉ Radio 1 at 3pm.
Sarah will perform the song for the first time on Dancing with the Stars on RTÉ One on Sunday March 10th as part of a special Eurovision Song Contest themed programme, which will also feature a performance from Eurovision legend Johnny Logan.
The video for ’22’ was filmed on Dollymount Strand, and was directed by Christian Tierney – who has worked with artists including Hozier, Niall Horan, The Weeknd, Macklemore, Demi Lovato, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, The 1975, and James Bay.
Christian also directed the video for Ryan O’Shaughnessy’s Eurovision 2018 entry “Together.”
Sarah McTernan will compete in the second Eurovision Semi Final in Tel Aviv on Thursday May 16, with the grand final taking place on Saturday May 18.
