Eurovision Ireland Wishes you Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the team at Eurovision Ireland HQ. With almost 200 thousand views so far this year, we have to give you a big “Go raibh maith agat” which is Irish for Merci, Tack, Danke, σας ευχαριστώ, Gracias, Grazie, Kiitos, תודה, teşekkür ederim, спасибо, dank u, Grazzi, ありがとう, хвала, ви благодариме, köszönöm, mulțumesc, Takk skal du ha and THANK YOU. We would love to say thank you in all the languages of the people who follow us around the world but we would never get to the Eurovision Videos for you!

The best way for us to say Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you is to give the results of our “Best Irish Eurovision Winning Songs” and “Best Irish Eurovision Entries that Got Away” polls!!

So let’s start with the Best Irish Eurovision Winner – as voted by you! After the votes were counted the Top 7 looked like this

1. Niamh Kavanagh – “In Your Eyes” – 1993
2. Johnny Logan – “Hold Me Now” – 1987
3. Johnny Logan – “What’s Another Year” – 1980
4. Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan – “Rock n Roll Kids” – 1994
5. Linda Martin – “Why Me” – 1992
6. Eimear Quinn – “The Voice” – 1996
7. Dana – “All Kinds Of Everything” – 1970

So as a treat for you we have the last 10 minutes of the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest including the nail-biting final jury vote, the crowd reaction and the  reprise of your winning Irish entry “In Your Eyes” by Niamh Kavanagh – Enjoy! PS – Thank you Malta for the points!

After all that excitement we now turn our attention to your favorite Irish Songs between 1965 to 1979

The Top 3 changed so many times during the week but the final result was as follows

1. The Swarbriggs Plus Two – “It’s Nice To Be In Love Again” – 1976
2. Sean Dunphy – “If I Could Choose” – 1967
3. Colm ‘C.T.’ Wilkinson – “Born to Sing” – 1978

The Swarbriggs Plus Two came third in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1977 in London. They performed first and at one stage they actually were in the lead. A firm favorite still with you as it gained over 30% of the on-line poll. It won’t be long before those outfits will be fashion again – but we still love them as “It’s Nice To Be In Love Again”

Next on our trip down memory lane are the years 1981 to 1995

This threw up a lot of surprises on our poll. Of course the 80’s and early 90’s were those type of years. The leader in this poll changed literally hourly between two songs. In the end the Top 3 was like this

1. Linda Martin – “Terminal 3” – 1984
2. Eddie Friel – “Dreamin” – 1995
3. Liam Reilly – “Somewhere In Europe” – 1990

We were not surprised at Linda Martin and Liam Reilly being in the running, as both songs almost won the Eurovision song contest, but Eddie Friel will be know as the Act that eventually brought Ireland’s 3 in a row winning streak to an end. However you voted him second. The winner though was Linda Martin who narrowly lost out to Sweden in Luxembourg in 1984 with the first Eurovision song that Johnny Logan wrote for her. Your winner from the 1981 to 1995 poll – “Terminal 3”. We particularly like the post card that the Luxembourg National Broadcaster used to introduce Ireland – 3 pints of Guinness – Well it is St. Patrick’s Day after all!

Final Category and the most voted on in our 4 polls – the years 1997 to 2012

The most recent years at Eurovision have been a mixed bag of success for Ireland. However we seem to be striking a chord with European voters as we have qualified for the Grand final for the past 3 years in a row. So who did you pick as your favorite Irish entries? Was it a Jedward first and second? Actually not, and for a period of time they were 2 and 3, but in the end Marc Roberts became the filling in a Jedward sandwich (Ahem) and the Top 3 looked like this.

1. Jedward – “Lipstick” – 2011
2. Marc Roberts – “Mysterious Woman” – 1997
3. Jedward – “Waterline” – 2012

Was there any doubt that “Lipstick” would not win the hearts and votes of you out there! Well done guys. Will you be back for a third time is the question?

So there you have it. Your 4 favorite Irish entries over the years at Eurovision. Again we want to thank all our followers for their support. You make the site what it is and we have big plans for our time in Malmo. So stay tuned.

Remember – wherever you are reading this article in the world – Eurovision Ireland wishes you a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” and we guess you will be up for a little bit of “Riverdance” – sure go on, go on, go on!

Author/Website Co-Founder and Editor in Chief Garrett Mulhall

Source Eurovision Ireland

(Photograph courtesy of wlrfm.com and YouTube Videos courtesy of embedded owners)