In hunt for Junior Eurovision Song Contest spot

A 14-year-old Mayo boy is in the hunt to be selected for the voice and song to represent Ireland at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Malta this November.

After nationwide auditions, Cathal Gavin from Swinford has got through to the final 32 singers, aged nine to 14, to go forward to the televised heats.

Over five weeks these elite 32 singers will battle it out on TG4 to be the Irish entry for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016. Not only will the panel of judges be looking for the best voice to represent Ireland, but also the best song.

Each performer will be singing their own original Irish language song.

Cathal has written a unique Irish song, ‘Seo Mo Ghlor’, with the assistance of Daithí Ó Gallachóir, development officer of Gnó Mhaigh Eo.

The boy soprano recorded an eight-song CD for charity last year, Voice of an Angel, which raised over €21,000 for the Foxford Alzheimer's Day Centre.

The third year Scoil Muire agus Padraig student has had a series of high profile performances, including singing at the opening of Oireachtas Fashion Show in Dublin and performing at the Christmas candle light concert in Dublin in aid of Operation Smile. He performed at the Carraig Donn 50th celebrations event and most recently at the Knock Basilica Grandparents Mass.

“I'm thrilled to have got through to the final stages of the Junior Eurovision Contest. It is a great honour to be in with a chance to represent Ireland. The past year has been a great experience and I am very lucky to have had such opportunities,” he enthused.

“I would really like to thank my parents and family for their great support and Daithí Ó Gallachóir for all his help and advice.”

Junior Eurovision will be aired on TG4 for the next five Sundays, starting October 9.