Irish broadcaster, RTE, has published the rules and issued a press release regarding their participation in Vienna next May. In the search for their 8th victory, they have set a 31 October deadline for artists to submit their entries, which will then be shortlisted by a panel of experts.
Michael Kelly, executive producer for Eurovision, has made the following statement:
Ireland has a track record at Eurovision which is second to none but finding a song and an artist who can perform at the biggest entertainment show in the world is not an easy task. This year we have decided to have an open selection process for Eurosong 2015 and we want to hear from the very best songwriters and performers who believe they have what it takes to compete at the highest level in Vienna next May
The open submission of entries brings the mentoring system, whereby music experts were in charge of selecting a song that they would afterwards coach, to an end. It had mixed success, with both of Jedward entries and Ryan Dolan making it to the final, though ‘Waterline’ and ‘Only Love Survives’ ended 19th and last, respectively in the final, and Can Linn feat. Kasey Smith failing to qualify altogether.
You can find the full set of rules here.
