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RTÉ HAS CONFIRMED that Ireland will enter next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in Basel in May.
Irish entertainers can now apply to be in with the chance of representing their country on the stage.
The Netherlands has not yet confirmed whether it will take part, after the Dutch act was kicked out this year and prohibited from performing in the final.
After the semi-final, it was revealed that police were investigating Joost Klein. The Netherlands’ Songfestival, which sends acts to Eurovision, had said it was “shocked” and deemed the decision to disqualify him to be “disproportionate”.
Most broadcasters have until 15 September 2024 to submit their application for participation, but the European Broadcasting Union has given the Netherlands an extension until 1 November after what the union described as “constructive dialogue”.
Ireland’s national final – where an act is chosen – is usually aired on The Late Late Show. RTÉ has not yet confirmed whether this will be the case again.
At the contest this year in Malmo, Ireland placed sixth – its best result since 2000.
RTÉ Eurovision Head of Delegation Michael Kealy says the contest is “an amazing opportunity for any Irish act to catapult themselves onto the world stage”.
Bambie Thug performed at Electric Picnic in August and is currently on a 30-date tour across Europe with sold out shows in Manchester, Glasgow, Amsterdam, Cologne, Helsinki, Dublin and Galway.
For acts looking to represent Ireland in 2025, the closing date for submissions is Monday, 18 November.
The 2025 host broadcaster SRG SSR and the European Broadcasting Union chose Basel as the location for the 69th edition of the contest, after Switzerland’s Nemo won this year.
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This is the most exciting and riveting news I have heard in a long time.
@Andrew Kenny: So much so that it gained your interest leading you to click on the article and leave a comment. You do realise that by doing so you did the opposite of what you expressed in an effort to be edgy. Keep trying.
@Sun Rise: I just stated how excited this news makes me feel. It’s ok if you’re not a fan!!
@Andrew Kenny: You posted utter nonsense considering you actually clicked in the article and commented. You are just another sheep online bleating away to try and be cool.
@Sun Rise: You’re 100% correct. Hope you feel better now. Lol.
@Andrew Kenny: Your first comment was enough to feel the edge you so desperately crave.
@Andrew Kenny: let’s send our best … why not kneecap ?
Does anyone actually care?
@Hunt Ley: come on, this year’s was brilliant watching Ireland give Israel points while bambie thugs head imploded. It was edge of the seat stuff. Lol
Not my cup of tea really, but I think it’s getting awfully muddied in politics and “causes”. Could probably do with giving it a miss for a year or 2?
@Toyo Ke: Methinks you missed a zero there. It should be a a year or
20!!
It’s a great gay festival
Utter waste of money
@FoxyBoiiYT: A live audience of over 150 million. Excellent exposure for anybody in the music industry.
Another contest that will be overshadowed by Israel’s participation.
@Rochelle Hart:
Doubt they will be participants next year.
@Rochelle Hart: do you live your life always wondering what Israel does be up to ?
@Shane Kinsella (Kinsey): When they’re committing genocide I think its pertinent.. but your comment is hardly surprising coming from some guy who advocates “blowing them to smithereens” .. Rock on Shane ya absolute rebel ..
@Mary.E.: If only. The President of the European Commission is actively pro-Israeli to the extent of her wilfully appearing like a buffoon when asked about it. All the colonial and influential countries in Europe are pro-Israel (barring Spain).
As we are a member of the EU, Israel’s biggest trading partner, we are complicit in Israeli’s actions irrespective of what or how many words are said by our leaders. We now know that the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which is conditional on respect for human rights, means absolutely nothing. This agreement means that remaining part of the EU trade axis makes us complicit in Israel’s actions. The question we should be discussing is: is accepting and maintaining a genocide a good enough reason to leave this axis.
Why are we wasting licence fee money on this absolute sham of a contest. All we’ve heard from Kevin Bakhurst is how much financial trouble RTE is in. This is an ideal time to pull the plug on Eurovision.
Can’t we just send the hugely talented Bamby thug again??? The world wasn’t really ready for their message back in may
@Buster Lawless: ‘Ready’ has so many connotations.
@Keth Tgi: we still won’t win it wast of money and time
It is waste time this show. Eurovision when country s like Australia in it. It s all politics and popular agenda . Definitely not interested but some people dont mind watching show winners pre picked
Bambi Thug….. the mind boggles!
Can’t wait to vote for Israel again.
@Shane Kinsella (Kinsey): just don’t use your pager….
Made my week this. What pile of muck will we throw into the ring this time
The excitement is building already!
The operative word is ‘Enter’. This is free to non-members/guests. Optional words requiring membership/signup are Qualify, Win….and of course Lose.
No Israel, please
@J B. Nice idea in principle but I fear that it is a boomerang competition. They always come back!
We need to be outrageous, our last entry was too bland.
so another occasion to shine on trash talent ?
What’s happening with the contest are we in.
have your say