A 13-year-old singer from Co Down is gearing up for her biggest performance yet at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Malta next week.
Naomi Gribben from Mayobridge will be representing Ireland at the annual competition’s grand final on Saturday, October 24.
She will be performing the powerful song Níos Láidre as part of the only duet of the night, alongside Caleb Kirwan (14) from Leopardstown in Dublin.
Caleb and Naomi began their journey in a dramatic national final on Sunday, October 4 as the search for Ireland’s entry to the Junior Eurovision came to a dramatic conclusion.
The two singers were left standing at the end of the night, but the judges couldn’t choose one over the other to represent the country in Malta. Instead, they decided that both would represent Ireland.
Naomi’s singing talent runs in her family; inherited from her grandparents, it’s a gift she shares with all her cousins. She is no stranger to the stage, and it’s where she feels most at home.
In 2025, she was the only singer from Ireland and the UK to make it to the finals of the Tour Music Fest in San Marino.
Both teenagers headed to the Mediterranean island on Saturday ahead of a week of rehearsals at the MFCC arena in Ta’ Qali.
Ireland’s entry will take the 13th spot in the running order at the live final next weekend, in which 16 countries will be taking part.
The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026, live from Malta, airs on TG4, Saturday, October 24 at 8pm and on www.TG4.ie.
The public can vote for IRELAND by visiting Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026.