Ireland's high flying Eurovision contestant Sinead Mulvey won't be giving up her day job any time soon.

The talented performer; who works full time as an air hostess with Aer Lingus, is determined she'll continue her flying career whilst honouring her singing commitments.

Dubliner Sinead first began flying for the national airline three years ago and flies all over Europe as well as to the United States.

"I love it, it's a great job," Sinead told the Herald. "They've been really supportive since I won the contest and they've agreed to give me whatever time off I need to get ready for the Eurovision.

Celebrity

"I definitely wouldn't be giving it up on a whim, especially in the current times that we're in.

"Sure, I get to shop in New York and San Francisco all the time, it varies each time but sometimes I get to spend up to four days on the West Coast. Who'd want to give that up?

"In saying that, though, if an opportunity came up to further my singing career I would consider it, but if possible I want to keep flying as well as performing," she added.

Since winning the right to represent Ireland in Moscow on last week's special Late Late Show Eurosong final, Sinead has become a mini-celebrity in her own right.

The Clondalkin native has even been approached by passengers to sing while flying.

According to Sinead: "It's hilarious how people are starting to recognise me when I'm working.

"I've had a few requests for songs since I won and I even had one person ask me to give them a tune when I was making an announcement on the PA. Needless to say, that didn't happen," she laughed.

As well as jetting around the world for the next few months, Sinead will have her hands full preparing for the much anticipated contest next May.

"Myself and my vocal coach Maureen will be working out a strict plan so that my voice is at its strongest when I get to Russia.

"We'll be rehearsing non-stop between now and then so it's going to be much more polished than it was on the Late Late Show.

"I actually only had about two weeks notice to say I'd made it to the final so I didn't have much time to prepare.

"We hope to have some dancers or performers at the actual Eurovision but I don't want anything over the top that would take away from the song -- we already have a lot with having the band," she added.

Sinead and accompanying rock band Black Daisy from Limerick will represent Ireland at the Eurovision in Moscow with their catchy song Et Cetera.

lnolan@herald.ie

- Lorna Nolan