Ireland’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 has been announced

Sarah McTernan will represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.

The 24-year-old, who came third in The Voice of Ireland in 2015, will be performing a catchy song called 22 in this year's competition. She said that being picked to represent Ireland in the iconic competition "is like an early birthday present", adding:

"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!"

The Co Clare native said that her friends and family - including her little girl, Mia - are "super excited" for her big news. She said:

"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 two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Mia - all the lyrics to 22!"

[caption id="attachment_453596" align="alignnone" width="1252"] Photo via RTÉ[/caption] The music video for the song was directed by Christian Tierney - who has worked with artists including Hozier, Niall Horan, The Weeknd, Macklemore, Demi Lovato, Kendrick Lamar, Drake and The 197 - and filmed on Dollymount Strand. Irish Head of Delegation Michael Kealy said: 

“We received a huge amount of entries for this year thanks in part to Ryan O’Shaughnessy’s great performance in Lisbon last year. Sarah has an amazing voice which stood out the minute I heard it and she fits perfectly with our chosen song '22'. "I think the Eurovision audience will love her, now it’s full steam ahead preparing for her performance in Tel Aviv in May.”

Sarah will be performing 22 for the first time on Sunday March 10, as part of a special Eurovision-themed episode of Dancing With the Stars.  She will compete in the second Eurovision Semi Final in Tel Aviv on Thursday May 16.