Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox song contest national year
| Year = 2007
| Broadcaster = {{lang|ga|Radio Telefís Éireann|i=no}} (RTÉ)
| Country = Ireland
| Selection process = Artist: Internal selection
Song: Eurosong 2007
| Selection date = Artist: 14 November 2006
Song: 16 February 2007
| Artist = Dervish
| Song = They Can't Stop the Spring
| Writer = {{unbulleted list|John Waters|Tommy Moran}}
| Final result = 24th, 5 points
}}
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 with the song "They Can't Stop the Spring", written by John Waters and Tommy Moran, and performed by the band Dervish. The Irish participating broadcaster, {{lang|ga|Radio Telefís Éireann|i=no}} (RTÉ), selected its entry through the national final Eurosong 2007, after having previously selected the performers internally. Four songs faced a public televote, ultimately resulting in the selection of "They Can't Stop the Spring" as the Irish entry.
As one of the ten highest placed finishers in {{escyr|2006}}, Ireland automatically qualified to compete in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2007. Performing during the show in position 4, Ireland placed 24th (last) out of the 24 participating countries with 5 points.
Background
{{main|Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
Prior to the 2007 contest, {{lang|ga|Radio Éireann|i=no}} (RÉ) until 1966, and {{lang|ga|Radio Telefís Éireann|i=no}} (RTÉ) since 1967, had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Ireland 40 times since RÉ's first entry {{esccnty|Ireland|y=1965|t=in 1965}}.{{cite web|title=History by Country: Ireland|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-country/country?country=3|access-date=2009-01-28|publisher=European Broadcasting Union}} They have won the contest a record seven times in total. Their first win came in {{esccnty|Ireland|y=1970|t=1970}}, with "All Kinds of Everything" performed by Dana. Ireland holds the record for being the only country to win the contest three times in a row (in {{esccnty|Ireland|y=1992|t=1992}}, {{esccnty|Ireland|y=1993|t=1993}}, and {{esccnty|Ireland|y=1994|t=1994}}), as well as having the only three-time winner (Johnny Logan, who won in {{esccnty|Ireland|y=1980|t=1980}} as a singer, {{esccnty|Ireland|y=1987|t=1987}} as a singer-songwriter, and again in 1992 as a songwriter). The Irish entry {{esccnty|Ireland|y=2006|t=in 2006}}, "Every Song Is a Cry for Love" performed by Brian Kennedy, managed to qualify to the final and placed tenth.
As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, RTÉ organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country.{{cite web|author=Staff|title=RTÉ Television - Eurovision Song Contest 2010|url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/eurovision2010/|access-date=13 February 2010|publisher=RTÉ}} The broadcaster confirmed its intentions to participate at the 2007 contest on 16 October 2006. From 2003 to 2005, RTÉ had set up the talent contest You're a Star to choose both the song and performer to compete at Eurovision for Ireland, with the public involved in the selection. The broadcaster had internally selected the artist in 2006, while the song was chosen in a televised competition. For the 2007 contest, the same procedure was continued.
Before Eurovision
=Artist selection=
On 14 November 2006, the broadcaster announced that it had internally selected the band Dervish to represent Ireland in Helsinki.{{cite web|last=Egan|first=John|date=2006-11-14|title=Dervish for Ireland 2007!|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6745|access-date=2008-09-28|publisher=ESCToday}} Prior to Dervish's selection as the Irish contestant, artists that were rumoured in Irish media to be in talks with RTÉ included former contest winners Johnny Logan and Linda Martin, the winner of the talent contest You're a Star Lucia Evans and singer Ronan Keating.{{cite web |last=Murray |first=Gavin |date=2006-10-07 |title=Johnny Logan 'would' represent Ireland again |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6481 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116044801/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6481 |archive-date=2006-11-16 |access-date=2008-09-28 |publisher=ESCToday}}{{cite web |last=West-Soley |first=Richard |date=2006-10-14 |title=Bookie's choice: Logan for Ireland |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6520 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116050225/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6520 |archive-date=2006-11-16 |access-date=2008-09-28 |publisher=ESCToday}} Along with the announcement that Dervish would represent Ireland on 14 November, RTÉ announced that a national final would be held to select their song.{{cite web |last=Floras |first=Stella |date=2006-11-22 |title=Ireland: Public competition for songs |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6798 |access-date=2008-09-28 |publisher=ESCToday}}
= ''Eurosong 2007'' =
On 22 November 2006, RTÉ opened a submission period where composers were able to submit their songs for the competition until 8 January 2007. The broadcaster sought songs that fit the style of both Dervish and the contest.{{Cite web|date=14 November 2006|title=Dervish are Ireland's Eurovision entry|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2006/1114/408390-eurovision/|access-date=19 August 2021|website=RTÉ}} At the closing of the deadline, over 200 songs were received.{{cite web|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2006-11-14|title=200+ songs for Ireland|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/7196|access-date=2008-09-28|publisher=ESCToday}} The competing songs were selected through two phases involving three separate five-member jury panels appointed by RTÉ; the first phase involved the first two juries reviewing all of the submissions and selecting a shortlist of songs, while the second phase involved the final jury selecting the four finalist songs. The members of the jury that selected the finalist songs consisted of writer and performer Shay Healy, Universal Music Ireland managing director Dave Pennefather, publisher and IMRO board member Johnny Lappin, commentator and broadcaster Larry Gogan, and singer Eleanor Shanley.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Dervish to perform Ireland’s entry for Eurovision 2007 |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/dervish-to-perform-irelands-entry-for-eurovision-2007-2893152 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Hotpress}} The finalist songs were announced on 7 February 2007.{{Cite web |date=2007-02-07 |title=RTÉ announces Eurosong Finalists |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2007/0207/409069-eurosong/ |publisher=RTÉ |language=en}}{{cite web |last=van Gorp |first=Edwin |date=2007-02-07 |title=Ireland: Songtitles known |url=http://esctoday.com/news/read/7569 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403030756/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/7569 |archive-date=2007-04-03 |access-date=2009-02-01 |publisher=ESCToday}}
The national final, Eurosong 2007, was held on 16 February 2007 at the Studio 4 of RTÉ in Dublin, hosted by Pat Kenny and broadcast on RTÉ One as well as online via the broadcaster's official website rte.ie during a special edition of The Late Late Show.{{cite web |last=Murray |first=Gavin |date=2007-02-16 |title=Tonight: Irish national final |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/7684 |access-date=2008-09-28 |publisher=ESCToday}} The show also featured guest performances from Björn Again, former contest winners Dana Rosemary Scallon, Eimear Quinn and Brotherhood of Man, and Dmitry Koldun (who would represent {{esccnty|Belarus|y=2007|t=Belarus in 2007}}), as well as commentary from a panel that consisted of former contest winner Linda Martin, commentator Marty Whelan and presenter Eileen Dunne.{{Cite web |date= |title=Irish News |url=http://www.keithm.utvinternet.com/IrishNews.htm |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=All Kinds Of Everything |archive-date=16 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070316062443/http://www.keithm.utvinternet.com/IrishNews.htm |url-status=bot: unknown }}{{Cite web |date= |title=All Kinds Of Everything for Eurovision 2007 |url=http://akoe07.livejournal.com/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=All Kinds of Everything |archive-date=19 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219154627/http://akoe07.livejournal.com/ |url-status=bot: unknown }}{{cite web |last=Klier |first=Marcus |date=2007-02-16 |title=Live: Irish national final (transcript) |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/7697 |access-date=2008-09-28 |publisher=ESCToday}} All four competing songs were performed by Dervish and following a public televote, "They Can't Stop the Spring" was selected as the winning song.{{cite web |last=Klier |first=Marcus |date=2007-06-17 |title=Ireland has decided: "They Can't Stop The Spring" in Helsinki! |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/7698 |access-date=2008-10-02 |publisher=ESCToday}} The national final was watched by 742,000 viewers in Ireland.{{Cite web |last=Mills |first=Keith |date=2007-03-16 |title=Irish News |url=http://www.keithm.utvinternet.com/IrishNews.htm |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=All Kinds Of Everything |archive-date=16 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070316062443/http://www.keithm.utvinternet.com/IrishNews.htm |url-status=bot: unknown }}
| class="sortable wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center"
|+ Final – 16 February 2007 | |||
| Draw
! Song ! Songwriter(s) ! Place | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | align="left" | "The Thought of You" | align="left" | Matti Kallio | 4 |
| 2 | align="left" | "Walk with Me" | align="left" | Stig Lindell | 3 |
| 3 | align="left" | "Until We Meet Again" | align="left" | {{hlist|Malachi Cush|Pam Sheyne|Martin Sutton|Don Mescall}} | 2 |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:gold;"
| 4 | align="left" | "They Can't Stop the Spring" | align="left" | {{hlist|John Waters|Tommy Moran}} | 1 |
At Eurovision
The Eurovision Song Contest 2007 took place at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland, and consisted of a semi-final on 10 May and the final on 12 May 2007.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Eurovision Song Contest–Helsinki 2007 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/helsinki-2007 |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430181101/https://eurovision.tv/event/helsinki-2007 |archive-date=30 April 2020}} According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country, the "Big Four" (France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and the ten highest placed finishers in the {{escyr|2006||2006 contest}} are required to qualify from the semi-final in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from the semi-final progress to the final.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Extracts from the Rules for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest|date=2007 |url=http://www.eurovision.tv:80/addons/files/Extract_ESC2007Rules.pdf |access-date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070507234645/http://www.eurovision.tv:80/addons/files/Extract_ESC2007Rules.pdf |archive-date=7 May 2007 |url-status=dead}} As one of the ten highest placed finishers in the 2006 contest, Ireland automatically qualified to compete in the final on 12 May 2007. In addition to their participation in the final, Ireland is also required to broadcast and vote in the semi-final on 10 May 2007.{{cite web|last=Bakker|first=Sietse|date=2006-05-20|title=Results of the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6203|access-date=2008-10-02|publisher=ESCToday}} On 12 March 2007, an allocation draw was held which determined the running order and Ireland was set to perform in position 4 during the final, following the entry from {{esccnty|Belarus|y=2007}} and before the entry from {{esccnty|Finland|y=2007}}.{{Cite web |last=Floras |first=Stella |date=2007-03-12 |title=Eurovision 2007: Today the running order draw |url=https://esctoday.com/7948/eurovision_2007_today_the_running_order_draw/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Esctoday}}
In Ireland, the semi-final and the final were broadcast on RTÉ One with commentary by Marty Whelan. The two shows were also broadcast via radio on RTÉ Radio 1 with commentary by Larry Gogan.{{cite web|title=RTE - Eurovision 2007|url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/eurovision2007/index.html|access-date=2008-11-20|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)}}
=Final=
Image:ESC 2007 Ireland - Dervish - They can't stop the spring.jpgDervish took part in technical rehearsals on 7 and 8 May,{{cite web|url=https://esctoday.com/8379/rehearsals_and_press_conferences_schedule/|date=27 April 2007|first=Stella|last=Floras|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=29 August 2022|title=Rehearsals and Press Conferences schedule}} followed by dress rehearsals on 11 and 12 May. The Irish performance featured the lead singer of Dervish, Cathy Jordan, in a red and white dress playing the bodhrán. The remaining members of the group, dressed in plain black shirts with jeans, performed a routine which featured them following Jordan around the stage. The LED screens displayed large flowers in bloom against a starlit background and the stage catwalk displayed a floating Irish flag at the beginning of the performance.{{Cite web|last=West-Soley|first=Richard|date=7 May 2007|title=04. Folk fest: Ireland on stage|url=http://esctoday.com/8568/04-_folk_fest_ireland_on_stage/|access-date=19 August 2021|website=Esctoday}}{{Cite web|last=West-Soley|first=Richard|date=8 May 2007|title=04. Dervish daisy: Dramatic change of Irish staging|url=http://esctoday.com/8592/04-_dervish_daisy_dramatic_change_of_irish_staging/|access-date=19 August 2021|website=Esctoday}}{{Cite web|last=West-Soley|first=Richard|date=11 May 2007|title=Second final rehearsal : Live coverage|url=http://esctoday.com/8660/second_final_rehearsal__live_coverage/|access-date=19 August 2021|website=Esctoday}} Ireland placed twenty-fourth (last) in the final, scoring 5 points.{{cite web|title=Grand Final of Helsinki 2007|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/helsinki-2007/grand-final|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422064603/https://eurovision.tv/event/helsinki-2007/grand-final|archive-date=22 April 2021|access-date=22 April 2021|publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}
= Voting =
{{see also|Voting in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
Voting during the three shows involved each country awarding points from 1-8, 10 and 12 to the other competing countries; counties were not allowed to register votes for themselves. All countries participating in the contest were required to use televoting and/or SMS voting during both evenings of the contest. In the event of technical difficulties, or if the votes of the country did not meet the EBU threshold, then a back-up jury's results were to be used. Ireland awarded its top 12 points from televoting to {{esccnty|Latvia|y=2007}} in the semi-final and to {{esccnty|Lithuania|y=2007}} in the final.{{cite web |title=Results of the Semi-Final of Helsinki 2007 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/helsinki-2007/semi-final/results/ireland |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423105404/https://eurovision.tv/event/helsinki-2007/semi-final/results/ireland |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Results of the Grand Final of Helsinki 2007 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/helsinki-2007/grand-final/results/ireland |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423105403/https://eurovision.tv/event/helsinki-2007/grand-final/results/ireland |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=live}} The nation received 5 points in the final—all from Albania—placing 24th (last). RTÉ appointed Linda Martin as its spokesperson to announce the Irish votes during the final.{{cite web|url=https://eurovoix.com/2022/05/07/ireland-linda-martin-spokesperson-eurovision-2022/|title=Ireland: Linda Martin Spokesperson For Eurovision 2022|date=7 May 2022|access-date=5 May 2023|publisher=Eurovoix|first=Anthony|last=Granger}} The tables below visualise a complete breakdown of points awarded to Ireland in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2007, as well as by the country in the semi-final and final.
==Points awarded to Ireland==
==Points awarded by Ireland==
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{{col-2}}
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After Eurovision
Despite finishing in last place, the broadcast of the final was watched by 780,000 viewers in Ireland with a market share of 53%, representing an increase from the previous year.{{cite web|last=West-Soley|first=Richard|date=2007-05-18|title=Irish viewing figures still strong|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/8741|access-date=2008-09-28|publisher=ESCToday}} Dervish announced that they would continue to play their music, stating that they "play music for music's sake" and that "it's about heart and soul, it's not about votes".{{cite web|last=Floras|first=Stella|date=2007-05-16|title=Ireland: Heads up for Dervish|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/8723|access-date=2008-09-28|publisher=ESCToday}} Claims of "vote hijacking" were also discussed after the nation awarded its 12 points to Lithuania despite getting little elsewhere.
Criticism was also faced by RTÉ from Irish media, both over their selection of Dervish and the production of a forthcoming television special on the band, with claims that their performance was "disastrous" and that the broadcaster had signed a written contract with the band only after announcing their participation. In response, an RTÉ spokesperson stated that "contracts can be signed after such an announcement" as "you don't have to sign on the dotted line if you have a verbal agreement".{{cite web|last=Floras|first=Stella|date=2007-06-11|title=RTE faces criticism from local media|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/8805|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103094639/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/8805|archive-date=2007-11-03|access-date=2008-10-02|publisher=ESCToday}} The broadcaster later stated that they would be "having a sit-down and looking at our geographical position and going through the whole process", thus indicating a possible withdrawal from the 2008 contest.{{cite web|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2007-05-14|title=Ireland to follow Monaco out?|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/8703|access-date=2008-09-28|publisher=ESCToday}} RTÉ confirmed their intentions to participate at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest on 3 October 2007, announcing an open selection to choose both the artist and song to represent Ireland.{{cite web|last=McEvoy|first=Denis|date=2007-10-03|title=RTE to return to the National Song Contest|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=1068|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022213137/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=1068|archive-date=2007-10-22|access-date=2008-09-24|publisher=Oikotimes}}{{cite web|last=Krasilnikova|first=Anna|date=2007-04-11|title=Ireland calls for Eurovision 2008 entries|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9544|access-date=2008-09-24|publisher=ESCToday}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2007}}