Sing When You’re Winning – Our Finest Eurovision Moments Ever

Irish people have a deep and complex relationship with the Eurovision. 

The crème de la crème of crooning competitions has given us so many highs and an equal amount of cringe-worthy lows but even if you detest it, our track-record is something to be proud of. With nine under our belts, we’ve technically won the most Eurovisions EVER dontcha know! 

But apart from wins, the Eurovision have given us many things – a sense of national pride, some of the best power ballads known to man and the global phenomenon that is Michael Flatley. 

So in preparation for tonight’s selection battle to chose the Irish act who will go on to represent us this summer in Sweden, we’ve selected our finest moments so far.

From All Kinds of Everything to The Voice, they’re an eclectic bunch! And we don’t care what anyone says, they were amazing, in their own special way.

Dana - All Kinds of Everything, 1970

Dana kicked off our winning streak in 1970 with All Kinds Of Everything. Even if you don’t rate the song (if you don’t what’s wrong with you) the intro video is reason enough to hit play. Featuring a bright eyed and bushy tailed Dana frolicking over the Ha'penny Bridge and skipping around College Green, it’s 70s Dublin nostalgia at its best. 

Johnny Logan - Hold Me Now, 1987

Ah Johnny. You might have sold out to McDonalds for an undisclosed fee – and shame on you by the way – but back in your heyday you were only magical. From his white Wham-esque suit to his impressive bouffant, this is 80s power ballad at its best. We challenge you not to sway in your seat as you sing along. 

Linda Martin - Why Me, 1992

Linda Martin eats, sleeps and breathes Eurovision and sparked Ireland’s golden age of multiple consecutive wins in the 90s. She’s represented us twice – with Terminal 3 in 1984 and Why Me in 1992, won once (Why Me), mentored Eurovision hopefuls on the RTE show You’re A Star and even mentored demented duo Jedward. No better woman. 

Niamh Kavanagh – In Your Eyes, 1993

Niamh is a bit of a Eurovision veteran at this stage but we still cherish her debut performance in 1993 as one of our faves. She looked like a secretary in her nice sensible suit but she belted out In Your Eyes Beyoné style and continued Linda’s winning streak. 

Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan - Rock and Roll Kids, 1994

Forget Ray Houghton’s winning goal against Italy in the World Cup, Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan’s Rock and Roll Kids was the best thing to happen to Ireland in 1994. You can pretend to not like this song but you would only lying to yourself. And, we bet you know at least 99 percent of the words off by heart. Tune.

Eimear Quinn - The Voice, 1996

By 1996, we were so cocky we were already speculating where we would stage the next competition before Eimear Quinn even took to the stage. The Voice tied in perfectly with the new wave of Ireland being cool. Maybe cool is the wrong word... but all the primary schoolers were mad to get in on a bit of Eurovision action.