Well now, wasn’t that exciting? To everyone who was listening today the Irish entrants were announced on RTÉ Radio 1.

And here they are in full, with all the proper titles, running orders and other things

1 – Maria McCool & Celctic Whisper – Mistaken

2 – Donna MacCaul – Mercy

3 – Andrew Mann – Here I Am

4 - Una Gibney and David Shannon – Language of Love

5 – Jedward – Waterline

The latest odds from Paddypower: Jedward 4/11,Donna McCaul 11/4,Andrew Mann 8/1,David & Una 20/1,Maria McCool 20/1

But who do you think will win?

The songs and artists will be competing in the live final to take place on the Eurosong 2012 special of the Late Late show on Firday February 24th on RTE1.

I caught up with Donna McCaul and we spoke at length today as her new Eurosong entry has just been aired for the first time on the Derek Mooney show this afternoon. Here is what Donna had to say:

Amnesia:

Welcome back Donna! Following your announcement that you are returning to the Eurosong Contest in 2012, how do you feel being back?

Donna:

I couldn’t be happier with the news. Really looking forward to getting things rolling again! Its been 6 years since it all started, its good to be back!

Amnesia:

You were backing vocalist for Janvil in Malta’s National Final in 2011 so was this the deciding factor for you to enter Eurosong once again?

Donna:

Yes, I backed Janvil last year, and I loved every minute of it. I did it to get back into the swing of things again, meet everyone and get the feel for the stage again! I took a step back for a few years to see where the competition was going and how the music has changed. Now, I feel I know exactly what they’re looking for this year, and decided to give it a shot!

Amnesia:

With your re entry into the Eurovision circle for 2011, did the Eurovision fans, at home and abroad, welcome you back into their community quite quickly?

Donna:

Yes, the reaction was tremendous, and I couldn’t have received a warmer welcome, here and abroad. I’m so thrilled that I still, even to this day have all that support!!

Amnesia:

So apart from your renewed Eurovision interest with the Maltese selection last year what have you been up to since your last foray into Eurovision in 2005?

Donna:

I have been gigging around Ireland non stop; have recently shot my first music video which is due to be released soon. Other than that I have been living quite a normal life between Dublin and Athlone, working on music with Lauren and seeing where the road takes me!

Amnesia:

Have you always loved Eurovision and was it a big show for yourself and your family to watch growing up?

Donna:

Yes, I have always been a fan of Eurovision since I can remember. My earliest memory was watching Niamh Kavanagh singing In Your Eyes in 1993. All of my family would gather around and have a Eurovision party like every household in the country. It was so exciting hearing the fanfare at the beginning, I still get goose bumps to this day!

Amnesia:

How important is it for you to represent your country again?

Donna:

I can’t describe how important it is for me. I have been looking to get this opportunity on my own since 2005. I believe that if I had the opportunity to once again represent Ireland, I would hope to make everyone proud.

Amnesia:

With the new process in place since 2011, how do you think the new “mentor” style in RTE’s process will differ from the process back in 2005?

Donna:

I am so glad that there is a new system. It’s a good idea to have a mentor and have one person there to help you and guide you along with the song and performance.

Amnesia:

Are you pleased with your mentor, Bill Hughes so far?

Donna:

Absolutely, this guy knows what he is talking about and knows a good song and what Ireland need to win… Hes been in the tv and music industry for over 25 years… and I am so chuffed to be working alongside him

Amnesia:

We have just heard your song played a little while ago on the Mooney show, are you happy with the overall finish?

Donna:

The song is amazing and very well thought of to catch Europes attention. Its got attitude and I personally think its a hit no matter what.

Amnesia:

How do you feel going into Eurosong again as a solo artist this time around?

Donna:

I’m extremely excited. I can’t even describe it. I am looking forward to taking on the challenge!

Amnesia:

With Jedward being back in the competition to defend their title, how do you feel going up against them?

Donna:

Jedward are fantastic entertainers and as well as my fellow contestants I wish them all the best of luck. I think at the end of the day it is the Eurovision Song Contest and it’s about the song.

Amnesia:

I’m sure you will have your family and girlfriend Lauren in the audience of the Eurosong final, will you feel extra pressure to perform to an even higher standard with singer/songwriter Lauren there?

Donna:

My family are always there to support me but no matter what nerves are good and I always have them. It helps you perform better and appreciate the performance more afterwards. Lauren supports me 100%, she helps me immensely, I need her there before I go on stage and it makes me better with her help and guidance AND last minute jitters!!

Amnesia:

Having heard you sing your own version of the 2009 Icelandic entry Johanna’s “Is It True?” at the Eurobash event in Dublin in 2010, we were certainly looking forward to hearing your new song! Having met many Eurovision fans that night as well as the many other Eurovision events, how have the fans reacted to you over time?

Donna:

I’ve been blessed with every performance I’ve done, I’ve had a huge and positive reaction.

My vocal has strengthened so much since 2005 which makes me more comfortable with myself and makes me challenge the biggest songs possible!

Amnesia:

Could you tell me two of your favourite Eurovison songs ever, one from all of the Irish entries and one from the array of songs from all of the countries?

Donna:

My absolute favourite Irish song is Niamh Kavanagh with In Your Eyes, I still get shivers listening to it. And Wild Dances by Ruslana. It has lots of attitude and very energetic! The perfect song to get a Eurovision party started.

Amnesia:

Finally Donna, do you have any message for the fans out there that are reading this today and who will be watching you at the Eurosong final?

Donna:

Yes, thanks so much for all your support, not only now but since 2005, I hope you love the song and performance and I would be grateful for as many votes as I can get!!! Thank YOU from the bottom of my heart!!

Amnesia:

Donna, we would like to thank you so much for speaking to EscIreland.com today and we wish you all the very best in Eurosong 2012 and beyond! We hope to speak to you again soon!

Donna: 

Thank you!! xx

Donna will be competing in Eurosong 2012 on the special edition of the Late Late Show on Friday February 24th on RTE1.

The five songs vying to win the coveted place to Eurovision Song Contest 2012 are being played on Derek Mooney’s afternoon radio show at 4pm today.

The songs and artists will be competing in the live final to take place on the Eurosong 2012 special of the Late Late show on Firday February 24th on RTE1.

Act 1: Maria McCool – Mistaken.

Act 2: Donna MacCaul – Mercy.

Act 3: Andrew Mann – Here I Am.

Act 4: Una Gibney and David Shannon – Language Of Love.

Act 5 : Jedward – Waterline.

Listen in on Derek mooney’s show on the link below:

http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild/

Kurt Calleja – “This is the night”

The 80′s called, they want their sound back.

Kurt Calleja (born 5 May 1989) is a Maltese singer-songwriter.

5 acts and their mentors have been announced for Eurosong 2012, so who will be Ireland’s representative in Baku? Some of the names of the songs have been released but it has been releaved that they are not all correct, we will update once they are confirmed as correct.

1: Act: Maria McCool – “Tears of an Angel”

Donegal singer Maria McCool, from Enya’s hometown of Gweedore, is believed to be singing a Celtic-style melody similar to “The Voice” by Eimear Quinn. It may even be in Irish – only rumours so far. She will be mentored by Edele Lynch.

Mentor: Edele Lynch is a successful singer and songwriter. She made her name as member of Bewitched, their album, which Lynch wrote, sold 6 million copies worldwide. Lynch has also written songs for Girls Aloud, Sugababes and more recently has been in the band Barbarellas and has written their album NightMode.

2: Act: Donna MacCaul – “Rocket Launch” (unconfirmed song name)

in 2005, Donna and her brother Joe threw themselves into the somewhat daunting but very exciting and in many cases, enviable task of representing Ireland with their song “Love?”. Written by Lina and Marten Eriksson who also wrote Niamh Kavanagh’s song back in 2010, this time around it is a A “Katy Perry-esque” pop song

Mentor: Bill Hughes has been an independent television professional for 26 years with over 1000 hours of music, entertainment and documentary programmes to his credit. Hughes, alongside Louis Walsh and Linda Martin, was a judge on Irish television sensation Popstars and has also done jury duty on a number of shows including RTÉ’s You’re A Star.

3: Act: Una Gibney and David Shannon “Language of Love”

A duet between Una Gibney and David Shannon is the third performing act for Eurosong so far. Una performed in Michael Flatley’s “Celtic Tiger” whilst David took the lead roles in a few west end musicals.

Mentor: Show business agent Julian Benson is mentoring Una Gibney and David Shannon. Benson is a show business agent and choreographer. He has a keen interest in the ESC and has served RTÉ’s song selection committee several times in the past.  He has also co-written their song with composer Éanán Patterson.

4 Act: Andrew Mann, “Here I Am“

Andrew Mann is an extraordinary and gifted Irish singer and writer who has been performing professionally around Ireland and Europe for the last six years. After writing literally hundreds of songs over the last ten years he has been lucky enough to perform nationwide tours in Ireland, Austria, France and Spain and has also had the pleasure of rubbing shoulders with New York’s industry glitterati, doing many show case gigs in the big apple.

Mentor: Greg French is a member of The Brilliant Things and works as a music producer/songwriter and for television.

5 Act: Jedward “Waterline”

Really? Do we need to write anything in here? Ok Jedward were in the UK X-Factor in 2009 where they shot to fame, last year they represented Ireland with the infamous ”Lipstick”.

Mentor: Linda Martin needs no introduction to ESC matters, having, as a performer, won the contest in 1992 and come 2nd in 1984. Linda also chaired the RTÉ Eurovision Song Selection Committee in 2009 to 2010. And also makes the most fabulous drag queen.

All five entries will be performed live for the on The Late Late Show Eurosong 2012 on the 24th of February, 2012. Once again the winner will be decided by a combination of public vote and regional jury.

Jedward’s tour dates mysteriously stop on the 18th of Feb and start again in June. Wonder if they have anything in mind for May?

A lot, that’s how much. La La Love was chosen to be Ivi Adamou’s song for Baku. Bravo Cyprus, bravo

It’s catchy yet its not. But we will form a better opinion when the song is released in full soon.

Edit: After listening to it on a few (dozen loops) it works, something we will be dancing to later on in the year

“Should’ve known better” by Soluna Samay will represt Denmark this year. Otherwise known as Anna Bergehdahl 2.0.

It’s a decent song but I do not seeing doing any well in final though.

We did love Ditte Marie - Overflow, she was fabulous and at least in tune this year

12 acts will compete to represent Bulgaria on February 29th.

1. Tsvetelin Atanasov-Elvisa ft. DZ – Love goes around (Popout)
2. New 5 – Change for a better life
3. Rene Ranev – Alone (Popout)
4. Go Week – The way you see the world (Popout)
5. Simona Sivanio – Eternal
6. Svetozar Hristov – Kick me down (Popout)
7. Vyara Pantaleeva - Vyara
8. Ivailo Kolev ft. Hipnotik - Searching for the words (Popout)
9. Steliyana Hristova - Putyat (Popout)
10. Todor Gadzhalov –  Still love you (Popout)
11. Dess – Love is alive (Popout)
12. Sofi Marinova – Prosto lyubov (Popout)