1970: Dana secures Ireland's first win
Dana in the RTÉ studio for the national song contest in 1970. Dana went on to win the Eurovision final in Amsterdam a few weeks later. It was Ireland’s first win, and caused great excitement in the country — and some controversy within RTÉ.
(Picture: © RTÉ Stills Library)1981: Sheeba is Ireland's entry as Dublin plays host
Sheeba was probably the most glamorous act ever to sing for Ireland in a Eurovision final. Marion Fossett, Maxi and Frances Campbell performed Horoscopes when Dublin hosted the contest in 1981. Maxi had already represented Ireland in the 1973 final in Luxembourg.
(Picture: © RTÉ Stills Library)1987: Johnny does it again
Brussels in 1987, and Johnny Logan becomes the first and — so far — the only performer to win the Eurovision twice. Johnny also wrote Hold Me Now, but his involvement in the song contest was not yet over, and he would write another winning song in 1992.
(Picture: © RTÉ Stills Library)1992: Linda Martin wins in that dress
This was Linda Martin’s ninth attempt at Eurovision glory. She had appeared in the 1984 final, and finished as runner-up with one of Johnny Logan’s songs. She was back in the Malmo Eurovision in 1992 singing Why Me?, another song written by Johnny Logan. Her win was the first of four that Ireland would achieve in the 1990s.
(Picture: © RTÉ Stills Library)1993: Niamh brings home the win at Millstreet
This was the moment when Niamh Kavanagh realised that she had won the Millstreet Eurovision in 1993. Niamh later said that she would never enter another Eurovision, but changed her mind in 2010, when she sang in the Oslo final. Sadly, there was not to be a second victory.
1994: Going for the hat-trick!
Pictured above, a tense moment backstage at the 1994 Eurovision in Dublin. At this point, it was not yet clear that Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan were on course to achieve the third successive win for Ireland in a Eurovision final with Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids. 1994 was also the year Jean Butler and Michael Flatley rehearsing caused a sensation when they was performed as the interval act in the Point Theatre; Riverdance was subsequently developed into a full stage show which has enjoyed huge global success.
1996: Eimear Quinn makes it four out of five!
Eimear Quinn delivered Ireland’s fourth Eurovision win in just five years at the Oslo final in 1996. The Voice had been written by Brendan Graham — who also wrote Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids, the winning song in the 1994 Eurovision.
(Picture: © RTÉ Stills Library)2008: Ireland nul points!
Dustin is the only novelty act that RTÉ has entered for the Eurovision. He was also the only act to be booed by an audience in the national song contest. Although RTÉ’s hopes were running high, the turkey failed to qualify for the 2008 Eurovision final in Belgrade.
(Picture: © RTÉ Stills Library)2011: Send Jedward!
John and Edward Grimes are better known together as Jedward. The identical twins first attracted public attention when they appeared on the UK talent show, The X-Factor. Jedward represented Ireland in the 2011 Dusseldorf Eurovision. They became the first and — so far — the only Irish performers to appear in two successive finals, when they performed in Baku the following year.
Taken from David Blake Knox, Ireland and the Eurovision, New Island Books, €16.99.
