Donegal musician Aisling Jarvis is set to shine in one of the most anticipated entries for the Eurosong competition tonight.
Aisling, the daughter of Moya Brennan of Clannad, is a multi-talented singer/songwriter, producer and performer.
Tonight on the Late Late Show Eurosong special, Aisling will be part of the band in the high-energy ‘Go Tobann’ act by Ailsha. Recent polls have tipped the act to go all the way to be this year’s Irish Eurovision entry.
Aisling plays guitar for the alt-metal act, which is all in Irish.
Speaking to Donegal Daily, Aisling said it’s a song that everyone should get behind.
“People should vote for Ailsha because I think the song has an incredibly strong chance of not just qualifying for the final (which Ireland hasn’t done since 2018), and the song and performance is perfect for the Eurovision,” she said.
“A mixture of metal, camp, punk, tongue in cheek chaos, and not to mention the song itself has a strong message about the Irish language.
“It would also be only the second song Ireland has ever sent that has Irish in it.”
Ailsha, a native of Wicklow, is a best friend of Aisling’s and the pals are huge fans of the Eurovision Song Contest.
“I was one of the people to encourage Ailsha to enter a song for it because I love the Eurovision so much. We even watched the Eurovision together last year,” Aisling said.
Music pals Aisling and Ailsha
Ailsha has been hailed as one of Ireland’s most captivating rock sensations of the decade, as praised by Hot Press Magazine. The song Go Tobann has a humorous twist, as it speaks to the Irish experience of learning the language in school, only to remember a few cherished phrases like ‘Go Tobann’.
To be asked to perform for the entry was a dream come true, Aisling said, and she has full confidence that ‘Go Tobann’ can go all the way to the grand finals Malmö, Sweden this May.
“I am so buzzing to be involved, and honoured that she has asked me to join her,” Aisling said.
For fans who want to cheer on the band, there will be Eurosong watch parties in both The Cottage Bar in Letterkenny and Leo’s Tavern in Gweedore tonight.
2023 brought Aisling around the world touring with her family in Clannad, performing at Electric Picnic with her brother Paul as the electronic duo, Banyah. Closer to home, she was part of the organising committee of the hugely successful first Letterkenny Pride festival.
AILSHA who will battle it out tonight The Late Late Eurosong Special in a bid to represent Ireland in Malmö, Sweden in May. Picture Andres Poveda
Ireland’s chances of victory at Eurovision 2024 will take centre stage this Friday night in a very special Late Late Show Eurosong, where Ireland’s six hopefuls will battle it out to be Ireland’s 2024 entry.
Viewers at home will have the opportunity to cast their vote for their favourite song and help to decide who will represent Ireland at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, performing in front of an audience of over 160 million people worldwide.