RTÉ HAS ANNOUNCED that it is inviting submissions to represent Ireland at next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Portugal.

It says it is looking for “accomplished songwriters and performers with a proven track record of success in the industry” to submit a song for consideration.

In the most recent edition, Brendan Murray failed to make it past the semi-final stage of this year’s contest in Kiev, Ukraine, with his song Dying to Try.

Despite that, Ireland has a historically strong record in the competition, winning it on seven occasions.

All of the entries received will be considered by a number of expert music industry panellists to be appointed by RTÉ.

Only one song can be submitted per act, and can be no longer than three minutes long. It also cannot have been commercially released or performed publicly before 1 September 2017.

The executive producer and head of Irish delegation Michael Kealy said: “Following our Eurovision forum in August, which was attended by both music industry professionals and Eurovision fans, we are now reaching out to the professional music industry in Ireland to get involved in the biggest professional music event in the world.

We’re looking for a killer song performed by an act with vast experience of playing live to big crowds.

Kealy added that RTÉ was also “actively engaging” with figures in the music industry to try to find the best entry for next year’s Eurovision in Lisbon.

The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Monday 6 November 2017, ahead of the 63rd edition of the contest taking place on 12 May 2018.

You have to send your songs via email in MP3 format or via Soundcloud to eurovision2018@rte.ie.

Read: Ireland is top of the heap of Eurovision winners – here’s how other countries measure up

Read: When are Ireland on and what’s the deal with the Russians? Your guide to this year’s Eurovision