Sir, – Last Saturday I watched the Junior Eurovision televised live on TG4 from Bulgaria. It was the first time Ireland had been represented in this contest, our hopes resting on a young girl from Moycullen, Co Galway, 13-year-old Aimee Banks.
It was a truly beautiful song in Irish and Aimee did us all proud with her impeccable performance on the night. Most of the other songs were of a very high standard, with many in the native language of the participating countries unlike the usual Eurovision where English is the language of choice.
During the contest I checked on Twitter to see what was trending as viewers were advised to use the hashtag #GoAimee. No sign of this hashtag although I saw #XFactor and #Strictly were there. I’m sure I don’t need to explain which British shows these hashtags were referring to.
Whatever about people’s individual tastes in what they were watching, I was sorely disappointed that there wasn’t even a mention of Aimee’s performance on the news on RTÉ just after the contest had finished.
It is incumbent on us all to support and nourish talent in the young, especially in our native language. Well done Aimee. I’m sure you will be on the winner’s podium some day.
– Yours, etc,
TOMMY RODDY
Salthill,
Galway.