LYRA is tipped to finally sing for Ireland at next year’s Eurovision after she was fast-tracked to a final shortlist, we can reveal.
Insiders say the Cork star is on the ticket and is guaranteed a slot in the Late Late Eurosong final in early 2025.
Entries for RTE’s Eurosong competition have closed but the source told The Irish Sun: “RTE needs a big name and Lyra is the dream act they want to send to Eurovision.
“She’s personable and would be great connecting with delegations and giving sound bites to media.
“Her on-stage performances and outfits scream Eurovision. Being so theatrical, she could project to millions. Being used to playing summer festivals, a big stage won’t faze her.”
Lyra, 31, who is dubbed the “Bandon Beyonce”, has previously told how RTE repeatedly asked her to fly the flag for Ireland but she had to turn them down as she was busy with her debut album.
Ruling herself out last year, she said she had no time to commit to this year’s event.
Lyra said: “For me, right now, I have waited three years for my album to come out and I don’t want to get distracted. I feel like I need to give this 110 percent because I have worked so hard.”
Having got her self-titled album to No.1 in the Irish charts, however, she is now able to get behind a massive campaign to return Ireland to Eurovision glory.
According to Lyra’s website, while 2024 was choc-a-bloc with gigs, she has just one concert booked for 2025 on March 28 in Chelmsford.
A source said: “Lyra seems to be clearing the decks for something”.
Speaking previously about the groundswell of people supporting her Eurovision, Lyra said: “It’s pretty cool that people want me to represent Ireland. I am Irish through and through so for fans to ask me to represent Ireland is a real honour.”
RTE Eurovision chiefs believe the singer’s warm personality and likeability will work not just out in Eurovision but back home too.
The source added: “RTE knows Lyra has already had a No.1 record in Ireland so they know the whole of Ireland would get behind Lyra as this country’s Eurovision entry.”
Rival singers and songwriters in the RTE’s Eurosong competition have told The Irish Sun Lyra is the artist to beat if they want to make the Eurovision Song Contest final in Basel, Switzerland, next May.
PANEL DECISION
RTE say all entries will be considered by a panel of music and entertainment industry professionals and/or Eurovision fans selected by RTE.
Lyra, real name Laura McNamara, self-released her debut EP W.I.L.D in 2016.
It was produced by Kate Bush and Coldplay producer Rupert Christie. It garnered such favourable attention that in 2017 she signed with Universal, who released her chart single Falling.
She has spoken about releasing a second album next year but will have plenty of time after Eurovision.
POTENTIAL CAREER BOOST
The insider said: “If Lyra won Eurovision for Ireland it could boost her career right now and turn her into worldwide superstar. We really would have another Beyonce.
While last year several acts called for a Eurovision boycott because Israel was competing, and sniped at Irish entry Bambie Thug, Lyra praised them.
She said at the time: “It was very interesting. It is so ‘out of the box’ for Ireland in the Eurovision. I think it could be the song and I think people will gravitate towards it because it stands out.
“Fair play to Bambie Thug. They are really testing the boundaries. We know Eurovision fans want something to entertain them, grab them and shock them.”
