Song needed for Celtic answer to Eurovision
Cork’s bottomless reservoir of talented composers, singers, and writers are being given the chance to create a new song representing Ireland in the Celtic nations’ answer to the Eurovision.
The song, which will be entered in the Pan Celtic International Festival 2025, must be an original composition and written entirely as Gaeilge. Songs may be written and performed by solo singers, groups, or bands.
Entrants must submit their song by 30 December to be in the running to perform on Carlow’s George Bernard Shaw Theatre @ VISUAL stage on 25 January. The winner will be selected by a panel of judges on the night and will take home a prize of €1,000. They will progress to compete against representatives from the five other Celtic nations: Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man, during the festival which runs from 22-25 April in Carlow town, Co. Carlow.
The festival involves a broad programme of events, from storytelling and lectures to singing and dance competitions.
Speaking ahead of the deadline for song submission, festival coordinator Bríde de Roiste said the Pan Celtic International Festival “is like the Eurovision for the six Celtic nations”.
“Each nation runs a song competition to come up with a newly composed song in their respective Celtic language,” she explained.
“The standard is always very high, and we are already looking forward to hearing this year’s entries.”
A further €1,500 and the international trophy will be awarded to the overall winning singer of the Pan Celtic International Song Contest in April.
The contest, which is sponsored by Carlow local authorities, IMRO and Gael Linn, is open to all genres.
Carlow was first home to the festival in 2012 and 2013, then 2016 and 2017, followed by 2023, 2024 and again next year.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the Pan Celtic International Festival for the third year in a row, which is a significant honour for our town,” said Kieran Comerford, Carlow County Council Head of Economic Development & Enterprise.
“Carlow is an ideal location for the event, as many participants arrive by sea into Dublin and it’s only a short journey by coach or train from there. The town is so compact that everything is within walking distance, making it easy for newcomers and all age groups to navigate.”
Entries should be emailed in mp3/recording form to pancelticcarlow@gmail.com by 5pm on 30 December.