ESC Winning Countries:

10) IRELAND

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

ALL THE WINNING COUNTRIES

A look back at every country that has won the Eurovision Song Contest in chronological order.

 

1970

IRELAND

When Ireland first competed in the 1965 edition of Eurovision, few would have expected it to become the Contest’s most successful participant. Dana’s performance of “All Kinds Of Everything” claimed the prize and the first Irish victory.

The next chapter of Ireland at the ESC began with Johnny Logan’s entry “What’s Another Year” the winning entry in 1980. He returned 7 years later with the power ballad “Hold Me Now”, which made the Australian born singer the first performer to win a second time. Logan penned that entry and the 1992 winner “Why Me”, which was performed by Linda Martin.

Ireland’s domination at Eurovision continued breaking records. Its 1993 entry “In Your Eyes” by Niamh Kavanagh gave the nation back-to-back wins. Incredibly, the 1994 entry “Rock ‘N’ Roll Kids” performed by Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan saw Ireland secure the first third consecutive win. With the 1996 Irish entry “The Voice” sung by Eimear Quinn, the country became Eurovision’s most successful competitor. Ireland had won 4 of the last 5 Contests.

The nation remains in front with its 7 Eurovision victories. Ireland has struggled since, especially with the rule changes that had previously worked in favour of its English-language entries. Sweden is its nearest rival, with 6 ESC wins to date.