The Eurovision Song Contest is a dazzling extravaganza of music, culture, and flamboyant performances, where nations compete for glory through the universal language of song.

In Ireland, supporting our country’s entry is serious business. With a record seven wins under our belt – equalled by Sweden in last year’s competition – as well as 18 appearances in the top five, we have something of a reputation to uphold. We’ve even clinched victory three consecutive times – not even the Swedes can boast that!

As the 68th Eurovision Song Contest gets underway, here’s a closer look at the talented men and women who’ve put Ireland on the European musical map.

Known professionally by her singular moniker, Dana (born Rosemary Brown) rose to global prominence as the winner of the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest when she was still a student in school.

Her ethereal rendition of ‘All Kinds of Everything’, written by Dublin's own Derry Lindsay and Jackie Smith, delighted audiences worldwide. Clad in an embroidered white mini-dress, Dana's performance, delivered with poise beyond her years, stole the hearts of millions, bringing home the win for Ireland for the very first time.

Although it would be another decade before we took the top prize, Ireland’s winning entry in 1980 arrived with shaggy hair and a gleaming two-tone suit. The era of Johnny Logan was upon us.

With a melodic prowess honed from a young age, the Australian-born son of a renowned Irish tenor delivered his soul-stirring rendition of ‘What's Another Year’ to a rapturous audience, propelling him from his maiden Eurovision triumph into a rapid rise to stardom.

And in 1987, Logan ascended to unprecedented heights, bagging his second Eurovision crown with the unforgettable, self-penned ballad ‘Hold Me Now’, becoming the first-ever artist to win the contest twice. This triumph not only solidified his status as a musical virtuoso but also affirmed his legacy as an icon of Eurovision excellence. In the wake of his historic achievement, Logan continued to flourish, his composition ‘Why Me’ securing yet another Irish Eurovision victory in 1992 for Linda Martin.

Today, you can find his handprints on the Walk of Fame in Rotterdam, Europe’s largest star boulevard.

Linda Martin's Eurovision triumph in 1992, with her stirring rendition of the Johnny Logan-composed ‘Why Me?’, embodied a career steeped in musical talent and resilience. From her early days with the band Chips to later solo endeavours, Martin participated in the contest a total of nine times, making her the performer who has competed most often for the prize. Driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, her 1992 win followed a 1984 second-place prize for her performance of another Johnny Logan track, ‘Terminal 3’. ‘Why Me’ not only secured Ireland's fourth triumph but also propelled Martin to the forefront of European music.

Dublin-born Niamh Kavanagh's resounding victory at the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest marked a pinnacle in her musical journey. With her stirring rendition of Jimmy Walsh’s ‘In Your Eyes,’ Kavanagh became the first artist to secure a consecutive year-on-year win for Ireland.

Born into a family steeped in musical tradition, Kavanagh's early influences, ranging from Aretha Franklin to Bonnie Raitt, laid the foundation for her soulful vocal delivery, which also featured on the soundtrack to Alan Parker’s seminal 1991 adaptation of Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments. Having represented Ireland again at the Eurovision in 2010, Kavanagh remains an icon of Irish music.

Ireland’s unique ability to steal the hearts of the audience with our musical storytelling was never more apparent than when ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids’ achieved Ireland’s unique Eurovision three-peat in 1994.

Performed by Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan, ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids’ still resonates as a testament to the power of musical synergy and serendipity. Penned by Brendan Graham, the song secured Ireland's unprecedented sixth Eurovision victory. Rumoured to have been selected in order to not win the competition, the song's poignant lyrics and minimalist instrumentation – featuring McGettigan's guitar and Harrington's piano – evoked a timeless nostalgia, offering listeners a glimpse into the intimate dialogue of everyday life, and beautifully transcending the pop song formula.

Eimear Quinn's sublime vocals soared Ireland right back to victory in 1996 with her mesmerising performance of ‘The Voice’. Born in Dublin, Quinn's journey to musical acclaim began at a young age, as she immersed herself in choral music, her passion for singing flourishing during her studies at university in Maynooth. There, she co-founded the ensemble Zefiro and joined the legendary choir Anúna, where her journey to the Eurovision crown was kick-started by songwriter Brendan Graham. Since then, she’s enjoyed an impressive solo career marked by international tours and acclaimed performances at iconic venues worldwide.

Want to know more about Eurovision? The 2024 Song Contest takes place in Malmö, Sweden. Follow along here.