Northern Ireland viral sensation Isla McManus is one step closer to representing Ireland at Junior Eurovision 2024 after performing in Irish — which she only started learning this summer.
The Belfast singer, whose version of the hit track Dance Monkey during the pandemic has been watched over a million times online, has made it through to the top six after the latest episode of Junior Eurovision Éire 2024, which aired on TG4 on Sunday night.
The 11-year-old rising star has spent all summer studying Irish after wowing the judging panel — featuring broadcaster Niamh Ní Chróinín, singer Tadhg Ó Gríofa and Brooke Scullionat — at the audition stage which was filmed in June.
Isla’s rendition of Adele’s Easy On Me saw her sail through to the studio stage of the competition which will see one lucky winner from the top 10 represent Ireland in Madrid, Spain on November 16.
Proud mum Alana Patterson (38) said she never guessed her daughter would make it to the studio stages where songs must be performed in Irish.
“So she had to start learning pretty quickly,” she told the Belfast Telegraph.
“But she has soaked it up like a wee sponge.
“It required a lot of lessons on Zoom over the summer, even when we were in holiday in Tenerife she was doing her online classes and music lessons.
“We spent most of the summer going up and down to Dublin.”
Isla secured her spot in the top eight with a stunning performance of Ed Sheeran’s Perfect last week with Skinny Love by Bon Iver (covered by Birdy) taking her through to the next stage.
It’s been an exciting journey for Isla as the first show was recorded before the summer while she was preparing to play the lead role in her former school’s production of Matilda. “She was finishing up primary school and took on her first acting stint,” her mum recalled.
“She told me she prefers singing and isn’t acting again, but it went really well and she got amazing feedback.”
Viewers will have to tune in again next week to see if Isla remains in the competition. The eventual winner will have their entry song for Junior Eurovision 2024 composed for them when the show ends and will be given the opportunity to record a music video for the track.
Isla has many other projects in the pipeline which cannot be announced at the moment.
She previously came to the attention of America’s Got Talent.
Producers of the popular show created by Simon Cowell came across a video of Isla singing Radiohead’s hit Creep which also went viral on social media.
“We were in talks with them last year, but they decided she was too young,” Alana said.
Last autumn Isla wowed the audience after taking the stage at Autism’s Got Talent at the Mermaid Theatre in London.
The event had been organised by Anna Kennedy Online — a charity committed to raising Autism Awareness.and promoting acceptance around the world.
Isla, who was diagnosed with condition when she was four, made a lasting impression and was subsequently appointed as a young patron.