Ireland’s Emmy has said she did not expect to qualify for the Eurovision grand final on Saturday.
The singer’s rendition of Laika Party failed to impress judges in the semi-final and Ireland’s Eurovision dreams were dashed yet again.
Speaking in Basel, Switzerland after the results were announced, Emmy told Newstalk that it has all been “very nerve wracking”.
🗣️“We couldn’t be prouder, happier and more grateful to represent Ireland.”
Ireland’s EMMY has been knocked out of the Eurovision Song Contest before the Grand Final.@HenryMcKean caught up with EMMY and her brother Erland after the results were revealed last night. pic.twitter.com/pg2WGZKyer
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) May 16, 2025
“I think we gave up earlier because there were so many countries that weren’t in the odds for qualifying that had qualified already,” the Norwegian-born singer said.
“We had [only] had a little hope.”
Emmy also thanked Irish fans for being "so nice and supportive" to her during her time representing the nation.
Eurovision
Reporter Henry McKean found that in Basel few had expected Emmy to win.
“To be quite frank and to be quite honest, here amongst all the superfans and experts, it wasn’t a huge surprise,” he told Newstalk Breakfast.
“You heard there in Emmy’s voice, the writing was on the wall.
“The big surprise was Australia - a huge favourite; he didn’t win it, he crashed out.
“So, that was an absolutely huge surprise because it was a perfect song, perfectly implemented, it was fun, it was witty, it had it all and the guy looked like a million dollars too.”
Ireland are OUT of #Eurovision2025 Emmy’s childhood dream is over. @NewstalkFM pic.twitter.com/DmmjcvahvL
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) May 15, 2025
Toby, a Eurovision journalist and expert, was blunt in his appraisal of Ireland’s performance.
“Well, to be honest, because other songs were better,” he said.
“For instance, Luxembourg also had an uptempo, upbeat fun pop song but she was more secure on stage.
“Emmy was a little bit stiff and insecure - I think she was nervous and rightly so, it’s a huge stage.”
Main image: EMMY from Ireland performs the song "Laika Party" during the second semi-final. Picture by: AP Photo/Martin Meissner.
