The 11 Eurovision contestants from Northern Ireland and where they are now
Northern Irish artists have had mixed success for both the UK and Ireland in the contest
The Eurovision Song Contest has always had a bit of magic to it, and for many of us, it has become a yearly tradition.
But beyond the camp performances, there is a history of showcasing talent from across Europe on the stage and artists from Northern Ireland have had considerable success at the contest.
Join us as we look back at the 11 acts from Northern Ireland who have competed in the contest over the years and reflect on what they got up to after the contest.
Ronnie Carroll - United Kingdom (1962 and 1963)
Billed as 'Belfast's Nat King Cole', Ronnie Carroll was the first act from Northern Ireland to compete in Eurovision and the first to represent the UK multiple times in 1962 with the song ‘Ring-a-Ding Girl’ and in 1963 with the song ‘Say Wonderful Things’ where he finished fourth in both years.
Carroll had previously unsuccessfully entered the UK selection contest in 1960 with his song 'Girl with a Curl'.
In 1997, he embarked on a career in politics in his home constituency of Hampstead and Highgate. In 2008, he attempted to enter the record books by receiving no votes as a by-election candidate for Make Politicians History, however his plans were scuppered as he received 29 votes. In 2015 he announced that he would run in the General Election under the name 'The Eurovisionary Carroll', however he passed away aged 80 shortly before the election.
Muriel Day - Ireland 1969
Newtownards woman Muriel Day became the first person from Northern Ireland to represent Ireland in the contest back in 1969 and the first woman to represent Ireland at Eurovision since they began competing in 1965, with her song 'The Wages of Love'.
Muriel finished 7th in the contest, which had four joint winners, including Lulu for the UK with 'Boom Bang-a-Bang'.
After moving to Canada in 1971, Muriel returned to Belfast in the 1990's where she continues to perform to this day.
Dana - Ireland 1970
Born in Islington, London, before moving to Derry aged 5, Dana became the first contestant to win the contest for Ireland and the first winner from Northern Ireland with her song 'All Kinds of Everything'.
In 1997, she entered politics where she unsuccessfully contested the Irish presidential election before going on to be elected as an MEP between 1999 and 2004. She went on again to contest the 2011 presidential election but was eliminated on the first count.
Clodagh Rodgers - United Kingdom 1971
Warrenpoint woman Clodagh Rodgers represented the UK in the contest in 1971 with the song 'Jack In The Box', finishing fourth.
Prior to her performance, she received death threats from the IRA for representing the United Kingdom at the contest in Dublin.
Clodagh Rodgers died at her home in Surrey on 18 April this year aged 78 following a period of illness.
Linda Martin - Ireland 1984 and 1992
Belfast-born Diva Linda Martin competed in the Eurovision final twice for Ireland with songs written by two-time Eurovision winner Johnny Logan.
Her 1984 entry 'Terminal 3' came second while she won in 1992 with 'Why Me?' which kickstarted a string of wins for Ireland.
Linda Martin took part in the Irish selection process nine times in 16 years, either as a member of the band Chips (1976, 1977, 1978 and 1982), as a solo artist (1984, 1986, 1989 and 1992) or as Linda Martin and Friends (1990).
Following her Eurovision success, Martin went on to work behind the scenes on the first series of ITV's The X Factor before going on to judge RTÉ's You're A Star.
In February of this year, Linda Martin claimed that she had been approached by an unnamed political party to run in the upcoming Irish presidential election.
Luv Bug - Ireland 1986
Newry pop band Luv Bug were the first group from Northern Ireland to compete in the contest, finishing fourth with the song ‘You Can Count on Me’.
The band went on to compete in the Irish selection process again in 1992 with the song ‘Close to Your Heart’ but were unsuccessful.
They continue to perform throughout Ireland as a cover band for functions and events.
Eddie Friel - Ireland 1995
Belfast man Eddie Friel represented Ireland at the contest in 1995 with the song 'Dreamin'. Finishing 14th, he ended Ireland's consecutive string of wins in the 1990s, where they had won three years in a row.
The Mullans - Ireland 1999
Sisters Bronagh and Karen Mullan from Belfast represented Ireland in 1999 and were the first Irish act to be chosen by the public with their song 'When You Need Me'.
They scored 18 points and finished in 17th position.
Brian Kennedy - Ireland 2006
Belfast-born Brian Kennedy represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 with the song ‘Every Song Is a Cry for Love’.
The song was the 1000th to be performed in the history of Eurovision and finished 10th.
Kennedy went on to be a coach on the first series of The Voice of Ireland between 2011 and 2012.
In 2016 he revealed that he was battling rectal cancer. In 2020, he announced that he was cancer-free.
Ryan Dolan - Ireland 2013
Strabane man Ryan Dolan represented Ireland in 2013 with the song 'Only Love Survives', finishing 26th.
Dolan came out as gay in 2014. Today, he runs The Railway Bar and Lounge with SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan.
Brooke - Ireland 2022
Bellaghy singer Brooke Scullion represented Ireland at the competition in 2022 with the song 'That's Rich'; however, she failed to qualify for the final.
Brooke went on to compete in RTÉ's Dancing With The Stars in 2023, where she reached the final and eventually came joint runner-up.
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