Rotterdam 2021🇮🇪 Ireland

🇮🇪 RTÉ confirm intentions to take part in Eurovision 2021

The story of their life!

Irish broadcaster RTÉ have confirmed their intentions to take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, following the cancellation of the 2020 contest earlier this week.  

The broadcaster has not confirmed yet whether Lesley Roy will be invited back to take part in the 2021 contest. Lesley Roy was set to represent Ireland this year with “Story of My Life”.

Looking for an eighth win?

In an article about the cancellation of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest, the Irish Head of Delegation, Michael Kealy, revealed that RTÉ will continue talking with the EBU ahead of next year’s contest.

RTÉ looks forward to continuing to engage with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and our broadcasting colleagues throughout Europe on Eurovision and the competition in 2021.

– Michael Kealy, Irish Head of Delegation

Kealy called the cancellation of the contest “disappointing” but “completely understandable in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic”.

The island nation remain as the most successful country in Eurovision, winning a total of seven times – with four of the wins in the 1990s.

Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest

Ireland debuted at the contest in 1965 with Butch Moore. He finished in 6th place with “Walking the Streets in the Rain”. Ireland didn’t take long to score their first victory – in 1970, with Dana’s “All Kinds of Everything”.

Ireland have had a very successful run of results over the years – including seven wins, four runners-up and a third place finish. Their most recent win was in 1996, with Eimear Quinn’s “The Voice”.

Since the semi-finals were introduced in 2004, Ireland have made eight finals including two automatic qualifications in 2004 and 2007. In Tel Aviv, in 2019, Sarah McTernan represented the nation with “22”, which finished in last place in its semi-final, with 16 points.

This year, Lesley Roy was set to represent Ireland with “Story of My Life”. Following the cancellation of the contest, it is currently unclear whether Ireland will follow the likes of Bulgaria, Switzerland and Belgium in inviting Lesley back for the 2021 contest.

Are you happy that Ireland will return for the 2021 contest? Do you think Lesley Roy should represent the country?

Let us know in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA.

One Comment

  1. how do you even become a contestant on Eurovision? Can anyone be eligible to represent their country

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button