South Dublin County Council staff member co-writes Ireland's 2018 Eurovision entry

27/04/2018

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South Dublin County Council staff member co-writes Ireland’s 2018 Eurovision entry.

A member of staff at South Dublin County Council has co-written Ireland's entry for this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Laura Elizabeth Hughes, who began work as a library assistant in Tallaght’s County Library in March this year, is heading over to Lisbon in May with the Irish delegation for Eurovision 2018 having co-written this year’s Irish entry.

Laura came together with two friends last year, Ryan O’Shaughnessy and Mark Caplice, singer-songwriters in their own right, to try and write something that would renew a sense of hope for Ireland’s chance at qualifying this year. Following a selection process, their song Together was announced by RTÉ in January as the song to represent Ireland in the 63rd year of the competition.

“I’m excited”, said Laura who is also launching the first single ‘The Dark’ from her brand new four-song E.P. this week. “I was only working in the library three days when the word got out. Everyone has been so encouraging”.

Even though Laura will be part of the official delegation, she will be bringing a piece of South Dublin County Libraries with her. “Keep an eye out for Kevin, the South Dublin Mobile Libraries mascot too, as I’ll be bringing him along with me to Lisbon!”

Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr Paul Gogarty said “I am delighted to wish Laura and her friends the very best of luck as they fly the flag for Ireland in Lisbon in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. I know some of her colleagues from County Library in Tallaght will be there in the Altice Arena to support her, but she can be sure of support from the rest of her colleagues back home as Ireland takes to the stage in the first semi-final on the 8th of May. With seven wins, Ireland is the most successful country in the contest, and with luck, maybe Laura, Mark and Ryan can make it an eight-win”.

The Eurovision semi-finals take place on Tuesday 8th and Thursday 10th of May, with the final taking place in the 20,000 seater Altice Arena on Saturday 12th of May. Ryan O'Shaughnessy will represent Ireland with the ballad Together, which was co-written with Mark Caplice and Laura Elizabeth Hughes, in the first semi-final on 8th May.

Ends

Photograph 1: Laura Elizabeth Hughes

Photograph 2: Laura Elizabeth Hughes

For the editor:

Laura Elizabeth Hughes Biography

“…captured the imagination of many music fans…with her palpable vocal talents and composing skills” – The Last Mixed Tape

“…note perfect, glorious voice, clever lyrics and growing catalogue of great songs…” – Dublin Concerts

Since the release of her debut E.P. in 2014, Laura Elizabeth Hughes has received widespread acclaim, establishing herself as a rising talent among a fresh new group of emerging Irish songwriters. Her unique voice has seen her build a substantial fan base from across the world with her YouTube channel amassing an astonishing 2.5 million views. Over the past four years Laura has focused on honing that craft and getting involved with a number of different writing ventures, which have led to her being held in great esteem among the song writing fraternity.

Now, after four years away from the stage, Laura is back with a brand new EP of fresh material.

‘Ceremony’ is the latest collection of songs to be unveiled with each song being born from her life’s experiences. The four song E.P. captures a journey from darkness to light and showcases the distinctive vocal and writing talent of a songwriter on the cusp of something very special. ‘The Dark’, the first single to be taken from ‘Ceremony’, was released on 27th April this year.

South Dublin County is one of four local authority areas in the Dublin region.

South Dublin County Council provides and funds a broad range of services including housing, roads, walking and cycling routes, parks and playgrounds, libraries, sports facilities, litter control, arts centres, enterprise units, fire services, community infrastructure and financial supports. It also serves as a platform for local democracy with 40 councillors spread across six electoral areas.

Bounded by the River Liffey to the North and the Dublin Mountains to the South, the County lies 16 kilometres south west of Dublin city centre and has an administrative footprint of 223sq. kilometres. The County has nine main villages Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown, Rathfarnham, Tallaght, Templeogue, Saggart, Rathcoole and Newcastle and is bounded by adjoining counties of Wicklow, Kildare, Dublin City, Fingal and Dun Laoghaire.

Images

Image 1 - Laura Elizabeth Hughes
Image 2 - Laura Elizabeth Hughes