JESC 2018 | Meet Taylor Hynes From Ireland

This year a record breaking 20 countries will be taking part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Minsk, Belarus on the 25th November 2018. With just over a week to go until the competition, Eurovoxx will introduce you to each artist, and give a little insight to the country they will be representing. Today's installment comes from Ireland, who will be represented by Taylor Hynes.

Who is Taylor Hynes?

This year Ireland will be represented by Taylor Hynes with the song "I.O.U". The song was written by Taylor himself, Niall Mooney and Jonas Gladnikoff. He was born in Dublin, and lives in Clonee Ireland. He was born on the 22nd April 2004, and is 14 years old. He lives with his parents, and family, and also has a twin brother. Music is in his blood, as he has been singing, and dancing since he was a young child.

He is currently at his third year in secondary school, and is also a bit of an amateur actor, as he is playing Ryan in his schools version of the High School Musical. The talented singer is also part of the drama society, having been a member of "Stagezone" for a few years. He will be performing the 'Wizard Of Oz' over Christmas as part of the local Coolmine Panto Group. Ryan's song was one of the last to be released. Officially it has been a little over a week, and has amassed over 33,000 views on YouTube in three days, which is pretty impressive. Check the song out below:

Taylor Hynes- "I.O.U".

How Was Taylor Chosen?

This year Ireland opted to find their Junior Eurovision entrant through a televised national final. The shows consisted of four semi finals on the 14th, 21'st, 28th October, and the 4th November. Each national final saw two permanent judges, Fiachna Ó Braonáin, Gráinne Bleasdale and a guest judge award stars to the each performer. The one's with the most would proceed to the Grand Final, which saw four artists, plus 2 selected wildcards chosen to appear in the final. Taylor was one of them. The final was broadcast on the 11th November, but was recorded back in early October. This had meant the winner was already leaked by BRTC (Belarus national broadcaster) several days earlier than intended. It was Taylor Hynes, and Shaniah Llane Rollo that would be chosen for the final sing off. Ultimately it was Tyler who won with two votes to one. He is the first wildcard to ever win the national final.

Ireland At The Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

This year Ireland will mark their fourth participation at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. They first entered back in 2015 when Aimee Banks represented them by singing, "Réalta na mara". She came 12th scoring 36 points. A year later Zena Donnelly would give the nation it's best ever result by making the top ten. Her song, "Brice ar Bhrice" would score 122 points coming in tenth place. Last year saw the nations worst result, where Muireann McDonnell's song "Súile glasa" would come 15th place with 54 points.

This year Taylor has a very modern sounding song, which has guest appearances from Ryan O Shaughnessy (Eurovision 2018), and Niamh Kavanagh (Eurovision winner 1993, and participant 2010). Could his very cool song take Ireland back in to the top 10, or even top 5 again. We think so.

All the team at Eurovoxx would like to wish this young, talented singer a "Adh mor ort"!!!! in Minsk.

Do you like the song? Do you think it could win? Please tell us your thoughts in the comments below.