EUROVISION'S 30 MOST CONTROVERSIAL MOMENTS. 
Part 19: 2008 ("The Irish Entry Is A Turkey!").
Continues tomorrow.

THE BIGGEST CONTROVERSIES

Of the

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

(1956 - 2019)  

From its inaugural year, the Eurovision Song Contest has had more than its fair share of controversial moments. This is a special look back on 30 significant upsets in chronological order.

2008

“The Irish Entry Is A Turkey!”.

Ireland still holds the proud record of accomplishing 7 victories at Eurovision. It was also the nation that provided the unforgettable interval act: Riverdance, back in 1994. As viewers sat to watch the first Semi- Final of the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest, many would have been shocked to experience the Irish entry.

That year’s song representing Ireland was performed by a puppet! Dustin the Turkey had appeared on RTÉ television before performing “Irelande Douze Pointe” (Ireland 12 Points) on the ESC stage. 

Ireland competed in Semi-Final 1 for a place in the Grand Final, against 18 other countries. The 10 entries with the highest scores qualified for the Grand Final. Ireland only managed to accrue 22 points, placing it in 15^th place and therefore, Dustin the Turkey failed to make it to the Grand Final.