The X Factor is back for its twelfth series, with Mullingar native Kelly Kiernan hoping to follow in the footsteps of Mullingar's most famous export and most successful Irish contestant Niall Horan.
One thing’s for sure, though – there’ll be one less Irishman gracing our screens, as Louis Walsh won’t be returning as a judge. Where will we be without his comments about who they remind him of and how will Irish people fare without his blatant bias towards his countrymen?
With this in mind, here's a look back at the top TEN most memorable Irish contestants on The X Factor.
1) Niall Horan
Mullingar’s Niall Horan from was only 16 when he auditioned for The X Factor in 2010. The cherub-cheeked blonde sounded shaky singing Ne-Yo’s So Sick, and Simon Cowell told him “You’re not as good as you thought you were.” Nevertheless, he made it through to the next round and was paired up with four other contestants to form the band One Direction – you may have heard of them?
2) Tabby Callaghan
3) Mary Byrne
Dubliner Mary Byrne was a Tesco checkout operator with a huge voice and a sassy stage presence. Known for singing classics such as It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World and You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, Mary finished up in 5th place in the 2010 series.
Dublin twins John and Edward Grimes, better known as Jedward, only finished sixth in the talent show in 2009, but easily claim the title of Most Annoying Contestants. Ever. They may not have any singing talent, but their boundless energy and incredible confidence have made them surprisingly successful. Two Eurovisions and three albums later, they now have an estimated worth of €6 million.
Baby-faced Derry lad Eoghan Quigg enough charm and vocal talent to make it all the way to the final of the fifth series of The X Factor, but ultimately lost out to heavyweights Alexandra Burke and JLS. Simon Cowell was going to sign him to his label, but changed his mind, and Quigg’s 2009 album was a critical disaster. Oh well, at least he got to sing with Boyzone that one time!
Singing Sligo siblings The Conway Sisters made it to the live shows of the second series of the show in 2005. Laura, Marie, Sharon and Sineád didn’t get on very well with their mentor Simon, and eventually decided to work without his guidance. They were eliminated in week seven after he voted against them – the first and only time that a mentor has voluntarily voted against their own act on the show. Awkward...
7) Janet Devlin
Tyrone lass Janet Devlin seemed shy and nervous when she first arrived on The X Factor stage, but she ended up blowing away the judges and the audience with her distinctive voice. The doe-eyed beauty topped the vote for weeks, but ended up coming fifth in the eighth series of the competition.
8) Melanie McCabe
Melanie McCabe has entered The X Factor four different times, but never made it past the judges' houses section of the competition. The determined Dublin native is still performing and trying to make a name for herself in show-business.
10) Chris Leonard
Much like Niall Horan, Meath teenager Chris Leonard originally auditioned for The X Factor as a solo artist but was chosen by the judges to form a new boy band. The eight-piece group, named Stereo Kicks, finished eighth last year. Their debut single Love Me So was released this June, but the band broke up less than a month later after failing to be picked up by a record company.
