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About Ireland...
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2004 Result
Points in Semi Final: N/A
Position in Semi Final: N/A
Points in Final: 7
Position in Final: 23rd
2005 Contest: Must compete in Semi Final
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History (1956 to 2003)
Ireland's previous appearances: 37 year(s) out of 48
Years participated: 1965-1982; 1984-2001; 2003-
Best result: 1st (1970, 1980, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996)
With 37 appearances, Ireland has appeared at Eurovision the same number of times as Portugal and Finland, but with a rather more impressive record to show for it. The country has won an incredible seven times, twice with entries performed by Johnny Logan - the only artist to have won Eurovision more than once. Unsurprisingly, Ireland's record is better than any other country - France, Luxembourg and the UK are the next best, with five victories each, none of which - on recent form - are likely to challenge Ireland's tally just yet.
Amazingly, Ireland won four contests in five years during the mid 1990s, with songs performed by Linda Martin ('Why me?', 92), Niamh Kavanagh ('In your eyes', 93), Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan ('Rock 'n' roll kids', 94), and most recently with Eimear Quinn and 'The voice' (96). While all secured easy victories at the time thanks to the votes of the national juries, none really appeared to command much support among the public or Eurovision fans - a situation that may well have precipitated the demise of the juries in favour of televoting since 1997. In hindsight, I still find 'Why me?' to be mawkish and old-fashioned, but 'In your eyes', 'Rock 'n' roll kids' and 'The voice' have stood the test of time well, and are maturing into Eurovision evergreens. Nevertheless, Dana's 'All kinds of everything' from 1970, and Johnny Logan's two songs from 1980 and 1987, 'What's another year' and 'Hold me now', probably remain Ireland's best known winners among the public at large.
Since its last win eight years ago, Ireland's fortunes have suffered a remarkable downturn. Though 1997's 'Mysterious Woman' came a clear second to Katrina and the Waves, 1998's entry by Dawn stalled in (what was in Irish terms) a disappointing 9th place, while 1999's song finished 17th, giving Ireland one of its lowest ever placings. 2000's 6th place provided a brief respite from the gloom, before 2001's entry, 'Without your love' scored a miserable 6 points - probably 6 more than it deserved - and 21st place. For the first time, Ireland suffered the indignation of being relegated and had to miss the 2002 contest all together. 2003's comeback, Mickey Harte's 'We've got the world', finished 11th, just enough to secure Ireland's direct place in the 2004 Final, but a far cry from the country's success of old. As Eurovision has embraced new countries and musical styles, some would claim that Ireland's recent entries have sounded increasingly old fashioned; equally, with the free language rule since 1999, Ireland seems to have suffered from no longer having the automatic advantage of performing in English. Can 2004 finally mark a return to form for Eurovision's most successful nation?
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This year's entry
Position in Semi Final draw: N/A
Position in Final draw: 18
What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"As in 2003, Ireland has selected its Eurovision contender using the 'You're A Star' talent show format. Last year's series was a phenomenal ratings success in Ireland, and there were great hopes for Mickey Harte; in the end, his 11th place was rather disappointing, though probably a fair reflection of the song's quality. Nonetheless, Ireland has stuck with the formula, which has produced - surprise, surprise - a man singing a ballad. On paper, the ingredients appear promising - the winner, Chris Doran, seems a wholesome choice and undoubtedly has a good voice; meanwhile, his song, 'If my world stopped turning', has the distinction of being co-written by the (now former) Westlife star Bryan McFadden. In reality, unfortunately, it is a desperately dull song, hardly deserving of its automatic place in the Final; the only consolation is that the runner up in the 'You're A Star' final, a song called 'Losing You', was even worse. Not surprisingly, the response from Eurovision fans has been generally unenthusiastic; indeed, to my ears, 'If my world stopped turning' sounds like a retread of 'Without your love', the song that got Ireland relegated after performing so badly in 2002. With the bookies initially making Ireland's entry the 8-1 favourite for victory, one can only assume they hadn't listened to it."
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What I predicted...
My prediction for Semi Final: N/A
My prediction for Final: 23rd to 24th
What I predicted prior to the Semi Final:
"Coming after the stunning Icelandic ballad by Jónsi, and before the quirky Polish entry, it is difficult to see how the Irish song will make much impression on the European televoters. I really think this is one of the weakest songs in the whole contest, and Ireland will be lucky indeed to gain a top ten place and automatic qualification to the 2005 Final. Even the final studio version on the Eurovision compilation CD is dreadful - horribly produced, with really old-fashioned backing flourishes; at least the live performance can only sound better. Bookies might rate this as among the favourites, but a bet on it scoring 'nul points' is almost certainly a more realistic prospect. Having said that, with all 36 countries taking part in the voting, the chances of any country scoring no votes at all is pretty slim."
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What you thought...
Final Poll Ranking: out of 36 ()
(Updated 15 May 2004; change refers to movement over final week)
In the run up to the Contest, over 5,000 visitors to this site voted for their favourite song in the Soult.com Eurovision Poll.
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What actually happened
In my prediction, I suggested that the live performance could only sound better than the recorded version. Having heard the live performance, I'm not so sure. Chris Doran might have been singing about his world stopping turning, but I certainly wish that mine had for the three minutes of his performance. It was everything that has been wrong about far too many recent Irish songs and performances - funereal, dull and amateurish. The Irish really have to do better than this if they're ever going to win again. We also learnt, incidentally, that Chris Doran has an extremely hairy chest - either that, or Tose Proeski's facial hair had come back on stage for a repeat performance.
I predicted 'nul points'; as it was, the 7 points from the UK, with nothing at all from anyone else, was a travesty - second only to Julia Savicheva qualifying Russia for the 2005 Final - that made me momentarily embarrassed to be British. Overall, an embarrassing episode for Ireland, but a shameful one for the UK.
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What the bookies thought...
 | Ireland to win: | 15/05/04 (prior to Final) | 25-1 |
| | 13/05/04 (after Semi Final) | 20-1 |
| | 11/05/04 | 20-1 |
| | 08/05/04 | 16-1 |
| | 06/05/04 | 14-1 |
| | 04/05/04 | 14-1 |
| | 31/04/04 | 14-1 |
| | 24/04/04 | 14-1 |
| | 17/04/04 | 10-1 |
| | 07/04/04 | (jf) 8-1 |
| | 24/03/04 | (jf) 8-1 |
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After opening the betting as 8-1 favourite, Ireland's odds had slipped to 25-1 prior to the Final. I placed a bet, also at 25-1, that Ireland would finish last - unfortunately, despite no-one else giving Ireland any votes at all, the UK awarded it 7 points, meaning that Norway finished last instead.
(Odds quoted here were those offered by Coral.co.uk. 'F' indicates favourite, 'JF' joint favourite.)
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Links
 http://www.chrisdoran.ie/
 http://www.rte.ie/star/
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Notes (see 'History' above)
- The 1956 Contest (where each country had two songs) is counted as a single appearance;
- Countries eliminated in the 1993 preliminary heat (EE, HU, RO, SK) ARE NOT counted as making an appearance in that year's Contest;
- Countries eliminated in the 1996 preliminary heat (DE, DK, HU, IL, MK, RO, RU) ARE NOT counted as making an appearance in that year's Contest;
- Countries eliminated in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 Semi Finals ARE counted as making an appearance in that year's Contest.
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Your comments (39)
From ellen egan, Ireland
Added 12:45:48 2006-12-20
i think chris done realy well andi'm not only saying that cause i love him
From Mark, GERMANY
Added 16:35:3 2004-5-16
Wow Graham very good Prediciton!
But i love this guy, 12 Points for the hairy chest! Yeah!!! ; )
From Fille, SWEDEN
Added 13:37:57 2004-5-16
Thanks Ireland for your 12 points! :) / lena fan
From puppi, ISRAEL
Added 12:45:43 2004-5-16
No surprises here. Indeed it appealed to no one! except for the 7 political pathetic points to a pathetic song. Wake up Ireland, this in not 1990, your golden years are long since gone. You can't just send crap each year and expect to do well - things don't work like that anymore!
From kirsty, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 14:50:51 2004-5-15
Nice Catchy ballad song. A bit too slow, but a very nice song.
From Dean, IRELAND
Added 14:32:33 2004-5-13
I dont think that he is an evangelist at all. Just cause someones mentions god doesnt mean they are a "priest" or anything else. The song is on the context of Dying, passing away, leaving someone behind- thats why it has a religious context. Most people in Ireland are not reigious anymore only for weddings and funerals.
From Jakie, AUSTRALIA
Added 13:13:20 2004-5-11
I think the word “wholesome” was mentioned in Irelands entry and that scared me. We have an evangilist in the building. The chorus goes “if my world stops turning in the morning, and if God should take this all away, if it all should stop without a warning, then I would still stand tall, because behind it all, you’re the one who made a winner out of me”… nope, sorry hun, you are a loser actually. But then after being the most successful country in Eurovision, I think Ireland have spent the past few years trying to get relegated from the competition. I think they think It is too easy for them to write crap that wins
From emma, IRELAND
Added 15:48:56 2004-5-9
the song like many great songs is nothing exceptional the first time you hear it but listen to it twice and you start to get hooked and the more you hear it the more the song plays in your head and you start to think damm thats a great song....just look who wrote it, these guys know what they are doing. however the televoting system this year will be a complete lottery and i think that diminishes irelands chance..indeed anything could win, a silly act with a stupid daft song could catch the vote and win..people will not listen to all the songs and vote for personal and poolitical reasons
From jack, BELGIUM
Added 14:39:42 2004-5-8
this is a carbon copy of a johnny logan winner. even ending on that high belting note!!but wait wheres the key change???, thats the title lost then. oldies will and do love it!!definate top 5
From shnupady crinkle, FRANCE
Added 14:30:38 2004-5-8
sweden have the best fast song...cheesey greece and the male whore win run them close...but the fact that britain, iceland france and ireland all have excellent ballads will split the votes...i like irelands song...very solid.he is a bit of a dull performer, top 5 a definite, its unoffensive and has the word god in it..euros will love it...and he is very priest like!!
my preds
1-sweden
2-greece
3-iceland
4ireland
5-uk
6-belgium
From Panayotis, GREECE
Added 3:38:29 2004-5-6
Okay, the song sounds nice, some may find it slooow, but it remains nice. Just a question: why, my dear Irish friends, don't you experiment a little? You always (or almost always - let's not be absolute) send ballads, slow songs. I don't doubt, they carry some charm, but after so many years of same style they start become ordinary and boring. Even if some of them are really great, the same policy in chosing the Irish song for ESC may make them seem a part of a mass of same-style songs, without any character... Good luck to you, anyway.
From Greg, IRELAND
Added 9:13:53 2004-5-5
0 Points is not likely- this song will be great on the night- Ireland always is an underdog and each year we say how did that song do so well. Every year us Euro geeks guess who will win and its always an outsider who grabs it on performance. Thats what I love bout eurovision everyone has a chance. but last year UK was bottled shite, deserved 0 points- this year much better
From --, ISRAEL
Added 8:2:48 2004-5-4
Last year UK got 0 points. This year (please god!!!) - IRELAND.
From howie, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 12:49:12 2004-5-3
You only need hear the first few chord to know it's the Irish entry - dull, generic, though admittedly not one of their worst. I have a terrible feeling that this might do very well and that we could be back to the Point Theatre for the 50th Eurovision - please don't let this happen!!!
From Demmy, GREECE
Added 21:35:56 2004-5-1
I just Love this one. I find it classy. It reminds me of the ESC good old times. Oldies will love it.
From Makis, AUSTRALIA
Added 13:37:45 2004-4-30
Thank you Mark
that's truth
also want to tell you Germany over the years had such nice songs which really liked but as i said....
From Mark, GERMANY
Added 23:37:0 2004-4-29
Hello Australia. That was a very qualified Contribution!
Ireland, which such a huge potential of brilliant voices should have found a better one than Chris Dorlan. Another Country suffers from Europes Casting-Madness. Hopefully, in 1-2 years we are over it.
From makis, AUSTRALIA
Added 17:30:16 2004-4-29
ireland.....ha ha ha
i think they have big promblem in Ireland"no musical history" ,BUT with all these stupid middleclass northen europian housewives you never know..........
From cameron, SWEDEN
Added 22:14:6 2004-4-28
wooo! Its a good song! specially when Bryan McFadden has written it :P its my idol :D (heja lena ph- it hurts ;) may u be the winner Lena :D) lol
From Jay, IRELAND
Added 21:54:24 2004-4-28
God NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Why have you done this to us. We are soooooooo gonna lose!
From Gareth, REUNION
Added 26/04/2004 14:41
Hello from Reunion Island Euro lovers!!
and hey to my fellow great Irish family. Chris' song is different but I think it will stand out- time for a change from the cheap tacky dance routines. He has a great voice, its a lovely song and I really think with a exciting performance he can steal the show and grab la grand prix pour L'Irlande!
From Jannis, GREECE
Added 24/04/2004 17:06
Hello people,
The irish song is "just another dull ballad" only for those who don't like ballads in general.
The melody and the singers performance are unique.
I hope this song will get many points and a good place because I like it very much!
MANY POINTS AND MUCH LOVE TO THE BEAUTIFUL EIRE!
From Tracy Dowling, IRELAND
Added 24/04/2004 12:13
Every one has their own opinion but the majority of irish people like this song and the artist. I have to agree with the irish, I love the song and the singer. Chris will do us proud in Turkey.
From Grainne, IRELAND
Added 23/04/2004 23:51
hi everyone i have one question to all those people who think that the irish entry is stupid! DID THEY EVER HEAR THEIR OWN COUNTRY'S STUPID ENTRIES??????? i believe that all these people are just once again jealous of chris doran and ireland's super entry!!! as i am from chris's hometown i will be in istanbul and i hope to see all you sados out there!! anyway GOOD LUCK CHRIS and we all love you..xxx
From Iain , BELGIUM
Added 23/04/2004 17:01
Seperation of church and eurovision definitely a very good point ha ha. oh Ireland so crap, keep listening to it to see that glimmer it could pull something off but were screwed. But we still will not be in semi final and if we go down, watch out UK (sorry Graham )were taking you with us. Why does Ireland never vote for UK?
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Ireland
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