Kilkenny teen singing sensation dreams of Eurovision glory

Kilkenny singer Enya Cox Dempsey will fulfill a young singer’s dream this weekend when she represents Ireland at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest Finals in Madrid on Saturday night.

The Castlecomer native was crowned Junior Eurovision Eire champion last month, impressing the judges and TV viewers all the way through the national competition on TG4.

“It did (performing on Irish TV) did bring about some nerves. It was my first ever time singing in Irish so it was nerve wracking because you didn’t want to mess up on the words but other than that the whole experience was fantastic.”

“I believed winning the competition was truly possible when I made it to the finals, like I was shocked when I just made it to Eurovision Eire so that was a moment where I thought this could possibly happen, it’s a 50/50 chance and that’s what was going through my mind.”

But despite overcoming stiff competition with her spectacular performances in the Irish leg of the competition, a greater challenge now lies ahead.

“I suppose everyone has fears going into it, I certainly do but I think I’ll be full of adrenaline once the time comes but I’m just really excited and I have a few nerves but that’s bound to happen,” Enya told the Kilkenny People.

Enya lives with mum Róisín and the family dog Pip with her family and friends being hugely supportive on her musical journey as her uncle Paddy, granddad Paddy Sr and granny Helen live just next door and are always on hand to listen to Enya perform or offer helpful advice. A support network Enya has held dear during her journey so far.

“My friends and family have been so supportive of me during this amazing process, especially my Mam who has brought me everywhere, she’s unreal, she’s my best friend.”

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Enya gave a very memorable rendition of Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Vampire’ on last year’s Toy Show and has performed in local pantomimes and shows with Kilkenny Music Generation all her life.

However, the ’Comer goal has set her eyes on the big prize now and is dreaming of winning big for Ireland and making the county proud.

“I’ve learned you have to follow your dreams because me sitting here now knowing I’m flying out to Madrid , if you would have told me that a year ago I would have literally laughed in your face like I just pinch myself every day,” commented Enya.

“Once you stick at something it can really happen. Things take like, you'll get knocked down a good few times but you will get that one time you’re lifted up so I’ve learned to never give up.”

The contest is set to take place at Caja Mágica in Madrid, Spain, marking the first time that the contest is held in the country as well as the first Eurovision event in Madrid, and Spain in general, since the Eurovision Song Contest 1969. 

To vote for Enya or for further information on the contest, visit: www.jescc.tv