Irish hopeful Brooke Scullion bid an emotional farewell to friends and family as she headed to Italy on Monday ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The Derry native will be flying the flag for Ireland at this year’s contest in Turin, Italy with her catchy tune, That’s Rich.
But Brooke became emotional as she waved goodbye to friends and family from her hometown of Bellaghy, where a massive party was thrown at the Taphouse bar and restaurant.
Read More: Viewers have their say as Brooke Scullion performs Ireland's Eurovision entry
Hundreds turned out for the party ahead of the 23-year-old jetting out of Dublin Airport’s Terminal 1 on Monday.
Brooke will take to the stage in the hope of qualifying on May 12, when she sings in the second semi-final of the contest, performing That’s Rich, which she wrote herself.
She admitted it was a huge step up, even from the performances which saw her reach the final of ITV’s The Voice last year.
“Everyone has come out and shown their pride and their excitement, and that’s made me even more excited too,” said Brooke while taking a breather from signing autographs and posing for photos with children.
“It’s so lovely. I’m sorry, but I’m hugging everybody.
“I was so nervous when I was packing my suitcase. Once I leave, that’s it — I’m away.
“My mummy gave me a wee card to open when I get there. I know that’s going to be another tear-jerker — and there have been plenty of tears already.”
Brooke previously told the Sunday Mirror how she runs to build up her stamina, admitting she’s in a tough category this year.
“I’m feeling excellent. I’m buzzing.
“I run a lot to get my stamina up for singing and dancing and I do gymnastics.
“Ireland’s never had an entry like this before and hopefully it’ll change the game for us.
“A lot of people are taking us seriously now and that’s a really good feeling.
“But I’m in a really tough category for the semi-final.
“Hopefully the people at home will enjoy my performance enough to vote for me.”
That’s Rich appears to take a pop at a former boyfriend but Brooke insists it’s not about one particular individual or experience.
She said: “It was the first song I ever wrote, it was a generic song about different experiences with five different people.
“They were all similar in the sense they were situationships. I’m so glad I’m independent now. I can respect myself now.
“The song relates to everyone in any kind of relationship... I’d say this is the happiest I’ve ever felt.”
“[Feminism] is all about equality, it’s something I’ve always done as a child.
“That’s Rich promotes independence and sticking up for your inner child.
“I stand for equality, everyone’s going to think what they think but I hope the true meaning of my song will inspire some people,” she added.
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