RTÉ’s Head of Delegation for Eurovision, Michael Kealy, has hinted that Ireland’s Eurovision selection will remain on the Late Late show.
Focus on other shows
Speaking on the Éirevision Podcast, Kealy stated that due to financial restraints at RTÉ, priority is being given to gameshows such as Ireland’s Smartest rather than one of specials like a standalone national final.
“Other things tend to take priorities, over things like a one off national final, which costs a lot of money to stage, and only get one night out of it.
“If you can drag it out over six or eight weeks it certainly becomes more cost effective, so that was certainly in my pitch that we would have a national final that would last over a number of weeks, that we would do something like other countries do.”
Michael Kealy on the Éirevision Podcast
Kealy also said his priority is getting the right act, and making sure they’re supported to go out on the Eurovision stage, later adding: “The dream of having a standalone national final is probably parked for the moment because of everything that’s happened, So i think if we’re going to have a national final, I think it will be on the Late Late Show.”
Submissions to be Ireland’s next entry have already closed on 20th October, after being extended from the initial deadline.
Ireland’s Eurovision journey
In 1965, Ireland made their debut in the Eurovision Song Contest with Butch Moore and the song “Walking the Streets in the Rain”, which managed to place 6th. Since their debut, Ireland has participated 56 times (making the Grand Final 45 times), and has won the competition seven times, which is currently tied for the record of most wins.
Ireland’s latest Eurovision participation saw them being represented by Wild Youth, with their song “We Are One”. They placed 12th in the semi-final, receiving 10 points from the televote, missing out on the Grand Final.
What do you think of the Late Late Show format? What can RTÉ do to bring Eurovision to Ireland once again? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky as we prepare for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024!
News Source: Éirevision Podcast
Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
