Ireland is Eurovision's most successful nation, winning a massive 7 times, 4 of which were in the 1990's.  Somehow, since their last win in 1996, it's gone horribly wrong, where Ireland have faced relegation, low positions and failure to qualify from the Semi. 2001 and 2004 saw horribly low results, and in 2004 the Irish were saved from the elusive 'nul points' only by the 7 points that the UK awared them.  They had high hopes for brother and sister duet Donna & Joe in 2005, changing their tracks from entering 'just another boring male ballad' which had once proved so popular.  Unfortunately, it was not to be and although Donna & Joe managed an alright 14th place out of 25, it wasn't enough to let Ireland qualify, and they found themselved in the Semi-Final for two years running.  Fortunately Brian Kennedy saved Ireland from embarassment when they qualified and finished 10th in the Final, qualifying to the 2007 Final in Helsinki, but there fortune came to a complete halt, finishing last with a measely 5 points all the way from the Albanian jury.

 

 

When I heard that there was a chance Ireland may send an irritating Turkey to represent them at Eurovision, I must confess I wasn’t all that worried; I didn’t see the ballad loving Irish going for something which was obviously going to be very silly and not very representative of the musical tastes in Ireland.  So it was to my dismay and shock that the country which I would love to win Eurovision the most would decide to indeed send a puppet to Eurovision in the form of Dustin the Turkey.  Listening to the song, it’s hard to know what the public in Ireland were thinking when they voted for this; whether they genuinely found it funny and entertaining, whether they genuinely thought this was the best on offer in terms of doing well in Eurovision, or whether they think Eurovision is a pile of tripe nowadays, so it is only fitting that they send a pile of tripe to represent them.  I would imagine that their general thinking was a mixture of the three, but nonetheless, those of us who will be watching the first Semi-Final shall have to endure Dustin the Turkey for three minutes.  So what of the ‘song’?  Well, it’s not entirely terrible.  While being a complete novelty entry, Dustin’s accent manages to make it distinctly Irish, and the girls vocal is good.  Other than that, though colourful, the stage presentation was a complete mess in the National Final, and will need reviewed for Belgrade.  If it were an Eastern countries entry I’m sure it would do well, but I don’t think the voters in the first Semi-Final will get it, and consequently, I’d be surprised if Ireland do well enough to make the Final.

 

 

An initial prediction will appear here soon.

 

 

A prediction will appear here when all 25 songs in the Grand Final are known.