Junior Eurovision 2024 will mark Ireland’s ninth year participating in the contest since the country’s debut in 2015. Despite 2023’s disappointing last place result, the country has not been deterred. This year, Enya Cox Dempsey will be shaking things up with her Irish dance-pop track, “Le Chéile”.
Scroll down for the “Le Chéile” lyrics
Ireland in Junior Eurovision 2024: Enya Cox Dempsey with “Le Chéile”
Enya secured her chance to represent Ireland in Madrid, this year’s host city, after winning Junior Eurovision Éire 2024, Ireland’s national selection show conducted by broadcaster TG4. Her song “Le Chéile” was pre-selected by TG4, and Enya was one of two finalists who got to perform it as part of the final round of the national selection.
Enya is 14 years old and hails from the town of Castlecomer in County Kilkenny, in the southeastern region of Ireland. She is very close with her family. Not only does she live with her mum and her dog, but her grandparents and uncle live close by too. In fact, thanks to her uncle, she is a big rock ‘n’ roll fan, and she lists artists such as Queen, Metallica, and the Deftones among her favourites.
Enya is not only a talented singer, but an all-around entertainer in the making. Besides singing, she grew up performing in pantomimes, and she is also learning to play the drums. She dreams of becoming a global pop star, and competing in Madrid marks a big step in her journey towards stardom.
What do the “Le Chéile” lyrics mean?
“Le Chéile” is about finding strength in numbers so that you can face any challenge that comes your way. The song title means “together” and throughout the song Enya sings about “me and you, glowing like stars in the sky”.
“Le Chéile” has lyrics in Irish, in keeping with the country’s tradition for its Junior Eurovision entries.
The song starts with Enya questioning whether she is strong enough to take on the world: “How I want my voice to soar/ But I don’t know if I can”. However, she soon begins to gain confidence as she remembers that she is not alone: “I have a lot to learn/ A steep path to climb/ But I’m even stronger now/ Because I’m imagining you”. By the end of the song, she knows that she has the power to do anything she sets her mind to: “Soaring above the light of a star/ Ready to fly right now/ Wings below my heart/ Any challenge I can face”.
The song itself also mimics Enya’s journey of finding strength and confidence. It starts off quietly but grows in energy as the dance-pop beat kicks in. Enya is ready to shine bright like a star on the stage in Madrid and bring everyone together with the joyous song that is “Le Chéile”.
“Le Chéile” lyrics – Enya Cox Dempsey (Ireland JESC 2024)
Lyrics: Laoise Ní Nualláin
Music: Nicky Brennan, Ian James White
Original text
Mo chroí ag preabadh insan oí(che)
‘bogadh chomh sciopthaí
Ú ag iarraidh mo ghlór a ligeant amach
ach níl fhios ‘am an mbeidh me ‘nann
Ag streachailt ach beidh mé croga dhuit
Dreapfaidh mé aon sliabh
Ó feicfidh tú-ú
Le gliondar ar mo chroí-íí
Leatsa le mo thaobh
Canadh os cionn
Dhuitse a stóirín
Na na na
Na na na
Na na na na na na na
Na na na
Na na naaaa
Nós g’bhfuil tú
cosúil le réalt’ san aer
Ú le chéile, le chéile-la
’S’tú lonrú mar réalt’ thuas san aer
Ú le chéile, le chéile-la
Tá neart le foghlaim ‘am go fóill
Cosán crochta ‘mach romham
Ach táim níos láidre fós anois
Mar bím, bím ag cuimhneamh ort
Is tagann faoiseamh orm
Mar dreapfaidh mé aon sliabh ó feicfidh tú-ú
Nós g’bhfuil tú
cosúil le réalt’ san aer
Ú le chéile, le chéile-la
’S’tú lonrú mar réalt’ thuas san aer
Ú le chéile, le chéile-la
Ar aon bharr amháin solais
Réidh le n-eiltilt anois
Sciatháin faoi mo chroí
Is iomaí, is iomai cor sa saol
Na na na
Na na na
Na na na na na-na na
Na na na
Na na naaaa
Nós g’bhfuil tú
cosúil le réalt’ san aer
Ú le chéile, le chéile-la
’S’tú lonrú mar réalt’ thuas san aer
Ú le chéile, le chéile-la
Ú le chéile, le chéile-la-la-la
Ooh Ú le chéile, le chéile-la-la-la
Ú le chéile, le chéile-la-la-la
Ooh Ú le chéile, le chéile-la-la-la
English translation
My heart is beating in the night
Beating so strong
How I want my voice to soar
But I don’t know if I can
I’m struggling but I’ll be brave for you
I’ll climb any mountain
Oh you’ll see
With wonder in my heart
With you by my side
Singing out loud
For you and I it’s true
Na na na
Na na na
Na na na na na na na
Na na na
Na na naaaa
Just like you
Like a star in the sky
Together, together
Me and you, glowing like stars in the sky
Together, together
I have a lot to learn,
A steep path to climb,
But I’m even stronger now
Because I’m imagining you
And it brings me peace
‘Cause I can climb any mountain, you’ll see
Just like you
Like a star in the sky
Together, together
Me and you, glowing like stars in the sky
Together, together
Soaring above the light of a star
Ready to fly right now
Wings below my heart
Any challenge I can face
Na na na
Na na na
Na na na na na-na na
Na na na
Na na naaaa
Just like you
Like a star in the sky
Together, together
Me and you, glowing like stars in the sky
Together, together
Together, together-la-la
Ooh together, together-la-la
Together, together-la-la
Ooh together, together-la-la
Does Enya Cox Dempsey’s “Le Chéile” get you starry-eyed? Will this dance-pop bop bring Ireland to the top of the scoreboard? Let us know in the comments below.
