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There really is a lot to love about Eurovision, (and some may argue a lot to hate, but we’re not here for the negativity). Here at Irish Homelands, we love the fact that no expense is spared by each country when it comes to crafting a performance to remember. We love getting the chance to learn about our European neighbours, see glimpses of their beautiful capital cities and sometimes hear music sung in their native tongues. But mostly, we love the pride and joy people feel for their lands, and how they fiercely advocate for themselves. (And would you believe that Ireland’s entry last year was titled, “Maps”?)

We thought we’d take a moment to reflect on a few past Irish winners of the Eurovision. After all, Ireland is the only country to have won the competition for three years consecutively and has won Eurovision an impressive seven times.

Take a trip down Eurovision-Memory lane with Irish Homelands. We bet it’ll make you feel quite nostalgic.

DANA, ALL KINDS OF EVERYTHING (1970)

First up we have Dana, with the song All Kinds of Everything. Certainly not a song you might hear played often on Spotify, but in 1970 Europe chose it as a worthy winner. It’s hard to believe that this song is now over 50 years old! Dana brought the first Eurovision gold home for Ireland and started a pretty lucky streak over the next 30 years.

Watch this performance here: ​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka5OfjwB3nM

JOHNNY LOGAN, WHAT’S ANOTHER YEAR? (1980)

The start of a winning streak for Johnny Logan. With his smooth dulcet tones and suave demeanour, in 1980 Johnny was a sure winner. Eurovision die-hards still rant and rave about this performance, and he established himself a pretty long and fruitful career after this moment.

Watch this performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ2jDdOfRwM

JOHNNY LOGAN, HOLD ME NOW (1987)

Johnny is back at it again! Fun fact, Johnny Logan is the only contestant to ever have won Eurovision three times. Twice as a singer, and once as a composer of the winning song in 1992. Mr Logan is a bit of a Eurovision legend, and we’re proud to claim him as our own.

Watch this performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJy9ZiliwwU

LINDA MARTIN, WHY ME (1992)

The glamorous Linda Martin brought it home for Ireland in 1992, singing Johnny Logan’s “Why Me?”. This moment was pivotal in Irish Eurovision history, as it began the winning streak for the nation and placed Ireland firmly on the Eurovision map.

NIAMH KAVANAGH, IN YOUR EYES (1993)

Niamh Kavanagh knocks it out of the park again, with a haunting rendition of “In Your Eyes”. Many Eurovision fans across Ireland and wider Europe argue that this may be the most beautiful winning Eurovision song ever performed, with some saying “She didn’t even have to try and just hit every note!” It is pretty magical, if you ask us.

Check it out for yourself here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAKqQJshR_c

PAUL HARRINGTON AND CHARLIE MCGETTIGAN, ROCK AND ROLL KIDS (1994)

Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan completed a trio of wins with a performance of “Rock and Roll Kids”. This was the first Irish duo to win the competition, and they did so with ease! We think at this rate, other contestants were starting to think Ireland had some sort of secret advantage that was helping them win. Of course, here at Irish Homelands, we know exactly what that was. It was a healthy mix of Irish charm, wit and talent. With a generous glug of Guinness to top it all off.

Check out this performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x_9JnCGXFY

EIMEAR QUINN, THE VOICE (1996)

And lastly we have the lovely Eimear Quinn with “The Voice”, to finish off the era of Irish wins for quite some time. Eimear’s clear-as-crystal voice encompassed everything Ireland is. It was the perfect combination of beautiful and haunting with an ethereal, mythical back bone. Unfortunately this was the last win Ireland has had since. And what a way to finish!

Have a listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpdRtIM45ts

And there you have it! What a collection us Irish have to be proud of. Though we haven’t seen a winner from Ireland since, here at Irish Homelands, we keep our hopes high for another worthy competitor each year.  Unfortunately 2022 wasn't to be our year either but Brooke Scullion did us proud.

And if this blog post has got you feeling proud of Ireland and all it has accomplished, why not grab a Irish Homelands print today. Your piece of the Emerald Isle to treasure forever.

Grab yours here