NIYL revealed as final Irish act in the running for Eurovision 2025

NIYL has been announced as the final act in the running to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2025.

The Limerick-born artist joins Samantha Mumba, EMMY, Bobbi Arlo, Reylta and Adgy as the performers on The Late Late Eurosong Special on February 7, with one of the six going on to represent Ireland at the Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland this May.

NIYL’s song is entitled 'Growth', which will be played on The Ray D'Arcy show on RTÉ Radio 1 this afternoon.

Inspired by artists including London Grammar, Woodkid and Yebba, NIYL's music also draws on his upbringing in the west of Ireland. As a queer artist, NIYL’s songs look to amplify queer culture in the Irish music industry. His debut album Parish Is Burning is being released in 2025.

In the past he has joined the National Geographic Concert Orchestra as a lead vocalist for their award-winning Symphony for our World, and has performed as a headline act at Irish festivals Doolin Folk Fest, Live on Air and Go Tobann.

In 2018 NIYL joined Cynthia Erivo for a week-long residency in St. James’s Theatre, London - performing the works of composer Scott Alan. As a backing vocalist NIYL has performed alongside many internationally acclaimed artists including Rufus Wainwright and Dermot Kennedy.

Bambie Thug represented Ireland at last year's Eurovision, finishing sixth with their performance of 'Doomsday Blue'. Switzerland's Nemo was the overall winner with their track 'The Code'.

The 2024 edition, which took place in Malmö, Sweden, was also marred in controversy, much of which stemmed from the organisers' decision to allow Israel to take part and prevent pro-Palestinian symbols and messages from being displayed.

The contest was ultimately reviewed by an "independent expert" following the disqualification of the Netherlands' contestant Joost Klein over allegations of making verbal threats to a female production worker.