Happy St Patrick’s Day! Whether you are at the pub attempting to split the G or sitting at work dreaming of a lovely pint of Guiness, we are celebrating the day with a look back at Ireland’s impressive Eurovision journey up to 2025. Few countries have shaped the contest quite like Ireland, so let’s take a trip through their Eurovision history.
Early years
Ireland’s debut in Eurovision was in 1965 in Naples, with Butch Moore and the song “I’m Walking the Streets in the Rain“ , finishing in a respectable 6th place. It was a solid start — and it turned out to be the beginning of one of the most successful Eurovision stories of all time.
Ireland currently holds the record for the most Eurovision victories: seven wins, a record they share with Sweden. They are also the only country to have won the contest three years in a row.
The first wins
Ireland’s first victory came in 1970, when Dana won with “All Kinds of Everything.”
Then came one of Eurovision’s greatest legends: Johnny Logan. He won the contest in 1980 with “What’s Another Year?” and again in 1987 with “Hold Me Now.” This made him the first performer to win Eurovision twice — a rare achievement later matched by Swedish superstar Loreen, who won in 2012 and 2023.
Ireland’s golden era: the 1990s
The 1990s were truly Ireland’s golden Eurovision decade.
In 1992, Linda Martin brought Ireland its fourth victory with “Why Me?” — written by none other than Johnny Logan, adding yet another triumph to his Eurovision legacy.
Then came Ireland’s historic three consecutive wins: in 1993 with Niamh Kavanagh and “In Your Eyes”, and in 1994 with Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan and “Rock ’n’ Roll Kids”.
Then in 1995 they let another country to win the contest (Norway with ‘Nocturne’), and they returned to the top again in 1996 with Eimear Quinn and the song “The Voice”. To this day, that remains Ireland’s most recent Eurovision victory.
The 2000s and beyond
Ireland’s results in the 21st century have been more mixed. Between 2007 and 2024, the country achieved only two top-10 finishes.
The first came in 2011 with the energetic twin duo Jedward, whose song “Lipstick” finished 8th and became a fan favourite.
The second came in 2024, when Bambie Thug delivered a spooky but unforgettable performance of “Doomsday Blue,” finishing in an impressive 6th place and giving Ireland its best result in years.
Ireland has only missed two contests- in 1983 due to a strike at the Irish Broadcaster RTÉ and in 2002 after being relegated under the contest’s former rules. However, in December 2025 RTÉ announced that Ireland will not participate in Eurovision 2026 due to the inclusion of Israel in the context of the Gaza war.
A lasting Eurovision legacy
Ireland’s Eurovision story is full of iconic songs, unforgettable performers, and historic moments. From heartfelt ballads to legendary winners, Ireland has helped shape the identity of the contest itself.
With seven victories and decades of memorable entries, Ireland remains one of Eurovision’s true legends— and a country whose Eurovision legacy will always be worth celebrating.
Happy St Patrick’s Day! ☘️💚🍺
