Vote for Clare! Our Lady's pupil reaches Irish Junior Eurovision final

The 13-year-old student of Flynn Performing Arts (FPA) sang her version of ‘Chandelier’ by Sia during the TG4 Semi Final on Sunday and impressed judges Niamh Ní Chróinín – presenter of TG4 youth programming, sports presenter Aindriú de Paor and guest judge Brian Kennedy.

The Year 10 student is the only Northern Irish competitor in the Final, joining two other young hopefuls for the final on Sunday, October 8. Winners will be chosen by public vote.

Clare, who took part in the competition last year previously made it to the 2022 Final, which was won by FPA student, Mayobridge singer Sophie Lennon.

Clare said: “It’s a huge opportunity for me and I’m really excited. I think being involved last year has made me less nervous and helped to improve my performance on stage. Fingers crossed that viewers enjoy the song and support me!”

If she wins, Clare will represent Ireland in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Nice, France in November 2023.

Clare says: “Learning a new song in Irish is a challenge but also has been lots of fun! I’m doing Irish in school so that helps and the TG4 team and crew have been great support. I just hope the effort pays off on Sunday night,” Clare adds.

Clare’s parents, Denise and Tony Keeley said: “We are very proud of Clare – she has developed so much since last year in every way. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself forward a second time, but we hope she will get the reward her hard work and dedication deserves.”

Clare is no stranger to the stage. Dancing since she was 2 and half years old, she only started taking singing lessons at 7 years old. Under the tuition of Fiona Flynn at Flynn Performing Arts, Clare has completed grades in Classical Singing and Musical Theatre.

Fiona says: “I am immensely proud of Clare. She works so hard and so rightly deserves her place in the final. Representing Ireland on the global stage is an extraordinary opportunity, and Clare would be a wonderful ambassador. I feel so privileged to be part of her singing journey and I am excited to see what the future holds for this shining star. No matter what the outcome, Clare is a winner.”

Clare was a member of the Elite Team at Stagebox and is now under the management of Maureen V Ward who represents some of the best young upcoming talent in Ireland. Clare takes weekly dance classes in ballet, tap and modern jazz with Blevins Academy of Dance and Drama, Portadown in addition to piano and violin lessons in Our Lady’s Grammar School.

She performs at all local festivals and has also been involved with Newry Musical Society in their AIMS nominated production of ‘School of Rock’. Last year Clare played the lead role in RTE’s ‘Toy Show the Musical’ and most recently played the lead in a workshop for an exciting new musical ‘The Boy with the Green Hair’, in association with the Gate Theatre, performing alongside some of Ireland’s best musical theatre talent and producers.

You can vote for Clare right now by visiting tg4.ie/JuniorEurovision - voting is free of charge and will remain open until after the three competitors perform in the final on Sunday, October 8.