With Eurovision less than a week away, we’re taking a look back at the best Irish acts over the last few decades.
With big hitters like Johnny Logan and Linda Martin coming home with gold, others like Jedward and Mickey Harte weren’t as fortunate, but are winners in our eyes.
Here’s our top 7:
1. Jedward – Lipstick
Jedward’s catchy song Lipstick was Ireland’s entry in the 2011 song contest in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The Dublin brothers placed 8th, which was the best result for an Irish entry in eleven years.
The enthusiastic duo, who first found fame back in 2009 on The X Factor, went on the represent Ireland again in 2012 with their song Waterline but it didn’t make as much as a splash – placing 19 out of 25 entries.
2. Johnny Logan – Hold Me Now
Before lending his vocals to McDonalds’ ads, Johnny Logan swooned many ladies across Europe with his smooth voice.
The singer followed in the footsteps of first Irish winner Dana, and brought home gold for his 1987 entry.
This was his second win in Eurovision, having already won first place in 1980 with What’s Another Year?
3. Nicky Byrne – Sunlight
We really had include this year’s fab entry from Nicky Byrne.
The Westlife singer is representing Ireland this year over in Stockholm, with his song Sunlight.
The 2FM DJ opened up on Twitter that he would be wearing his late Dad’s Irish jersey for the Eurovision.
We have a feeling this one is going to go all the way…
4. Linda Martin – Why Me?
Before tackling the role of television presenter, Linda Martin shot to fame representing Ireland in the 1992 Eurovision.
The singer is the most frequent entrant in the National Song Contest – having entered as a soloist as well as with bands, Chips and Linda Martin & Friends, nine times.
Aside from her infamous Saturday Night Show appearance, Linda has been teaching kids how to dance.
5. Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan – Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids
In 1994, Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan made it to the Eurovision final when Ireland hosted in The Point, Dublin.
The song was rumoured not to win, as no male duo had ever placed in the contest at the time, and the pair were much older than previous winners.
Despite these rumours, Paul and Charlie shocked all, receiving 226 points and winning gold on home turf.
6. Dana – All Kind’s of Everything
In 1970, Dana represented Ireland in Amsterdam and won first place at the song contest at the tender age of 18.
After the contest, the Northern Irish beauty’s song become a worldwide hit and launched her successful singing career.
At Goss HQ we have to admit, who doesn’t know this one?
7. Mickey Joe Harte – We’ve Got The World
Struggling for years as a singer song writer, the Donegal native entered the RTÉ talent show, You’re A Star, in 2002 as a solo singer.
Mickey’s hit We’ve Got the World Tonight peaked at number one in the Irish charts before it going to the Eurovision.
Winning the Irish show, Mickey represented Ireland in the 2003 song contest, making it to the final show but sadly placed 11th.
The Eurovison Song Contest starts on May 10th .
