Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Now as Ireland has withdrawn from Eurovision song contest at least in 2026, let's have a look of some Irish favorites of mine over the year. Among them quite a few winners as usually Ireland has won with their best efforts. My favorite of them all is however a  completely forgotten runner up, Mysterious woman.  Enjoy! 1980 Johnny Logan - What's another year (1st) 1981 Sheeba - Horoscopes (5th) 1993 Niamh Kavanagh - In your eyes (1st) 1986 Luv Bug - You can count on me (4th) 1997 Marc Roberts - Mysterious woman (2nd) 1984 Linda Martin - Terminal 3 (2nd) 2018 Ryan O'Shaughnessy - Togerher (16th) Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan - Rock'n'roll kids (1st) 1987 Johnny Logan - Hold me now (1st) There would have been quite a few to pick up as well but these sounded the ones at this time and space.  Special mentions go to: 2013 Ryan Dolan - Only love survives (26th) 1965 Butch Moore - I'm walking the streets in the rain (6th) 1991 Kim Jackson - Could it be that I...

If you are heading to Eurovision In Concert in Amsterdam on April 6th be sure to make it a day, or  a night earlier because on 5th there's the pre-party in Melkweg! Organized by OGAE NL the event features previous Eurovision winners and stars to have a great time mingling with the other fans and enjoying the music. Marga Bult aka Marcha is not only performing her Rechtop in de wind but also being the hostess of the evening. More info here Get your tickets here

ARMENIA - SEVAK KHANAGYAN - QAMI The stars were lying Saying love is invincible, When the soul is in search of light. Vocals **** Staging *** Song ***** Overall **** Sadly possible non qualifier SWITZERLAND - ZiBBZ - STONES Think different is the enemy It’s been this way for centuries And I can't do anything about it Vocals **** Staging *** Song *** Overall *** Non qualifier IRELAND - RYAN O'SHAUGHNESSY - TOGETHER There’s a smile on your face that I haven’t seen Since we started going out Vocals ***** Staging **** Song ***** Overall **** Likely qualifier CYPRUS - ELENI FOUREIRA - FUEGO ah yeah ah yeah yeah ah yeah ah yeah Fuego Vocals *** Staging ***** Song *** Overall *** Qualifier

Switzerland - ZiBBZ - Stones Off to the bridge we go again and she joins in drumming (think Elitsa & Stoyan) after she's been running around the catwalk and the bridges and climbing over his drumset. Energetic for sure. And Coco's sporting some urban cowboy look and they use torches at one point to empower the shout out moment. Another pre-rehearsals non qualifier joining the game now? Hmmm... "Good vocal", "Good energy", "Not enough attitude", "Aggressive", "Rebellious", "Sexy" Ireland- Ryan O'Shaughnessy - Together The lamp post is there, the bench as well (we're only missing une rue)  as are the guys dancing in the streets in the video. Sadly they seem to be only distracting by some reviewers, and some lament the piano lady gets too much air time, too. And it snows when the guys come dancing and holding hands from the bridge. Should they focus only on Ryan with his guitar who hits al...

  Iceland - Ari Ólafsson - Our choice Ari (19) is one of the youngest artists this year and his song is one of the oldest. Pure old school Eurovision and therefor a pearl to cherish. Even more so as he has proven to be a great vocalist live despite his age sounding good and looking so fresh and innocent. He has also proven himself in the social medias and pre-contest promotional events - is there anyone who doesn't like him as a person? This is anthemic, almost religious hymn with lyrics... well, let's forget the lyrics and just enjoy the melody and his convincing performance! The video makes me want to visit Reykjavik, even if it seems to be the size of one block .-) Sadly they didn't bring this Icelandic version though. This blogger would love to see this as shocker qualifier but the odds are heavily against it: starting number, semi one, betting odds... but hey, miracles do happen! And televoters decide. 7/10 Belarus - Alekseev - Forever Ukrainian Nik...

  Ireland has also released its entry on radio today. Internally selected Ryan O'Shaughnessy will sing Together .... but it's not about the togetherness one would first imagine but the world's oldest story, and the lyrics are rather heard before in every way. But it's quite enjoyable. And sadly forgettable maybe as well.

As the speculation got wild over the past 24 hour it has now been formied Ryan O'Shaughnessy will be representing Ireland in Lisbon 2018 Eurovision. His song is called Together and will be released later when the production and video clip are finished. Ryan promises Rock'n roll kids kind of moment so it's one more acoustic ballads on stage, people. More emotions, less fireoworks! Ryan is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter with a lot of experience already. He starred in an Irish soap opera Fair city for nine years, took part in both Britain's got talent and The Voice of Ireland in 2012  at the same time! That caused a bit of a drama apparently. The year after he took part in the Irish reality The Hit .