Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

{{Main|Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Prior to the 2022 contest, Ireland has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest fifty-three times since its first entry in {{ESCYr|1965}}.{{cite web|title=Ireland Country Profile|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-country/country?country=3|access-date=9 November 2014|publisher=EBU}} Ireland has won the contest a record seven times in total. The country's first win came in {{esccnty|Ireland|y=1970|t=1970}}, with then-18-year-old Dana winning with "All Kinds of Everything". 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). In {{esccnty|Ireland|y=2011|t=2011}} and {{esccnty|Ireland|y=2012|t=2012}}, Jedward represented the nation for two consecutive years, managing to qualify to the final both times and achieve Ireland's highest position in the contest since {{esccnty|Ireland|y=2000|t=2000}}, placing eighth in 2011 with the song "Lipstick". Since {{esccnty|Ireland|y=2013|t=2013}}, only two Irish entries managed to qualify for the final: Ryan Dolan's "Only Love Survives" which placed 26th (last) in the final in 2013, and Ryan O'Shaughnessy's "Together" which placed 16th in the final in {{esccnty|Ireland|y=2018|t=2018}}. The Irish entry in {{esccnty|Ireland|y=2021|t=2021}}, "Maps" performed by Lesley Roy, once again failed to qualify to the final.

The Irish national broadcaster, {{lang|ga|Raidió Teilifís Éireann|i=no}} (RTÉ), broadcasts the event within Ireland and organises the selection process for the nation's entry. RTÉ confirmed their intentions to participate at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest on 6 September 2021.{{Cite web|last=Jiandani|first=Sanjay|date=2021-09-06|title=Ireland: RTE confirms participation at Eurovision 2022|url=https://esctoday.com/183910/ireland-rte-confirms-participation-at-eurovision-2022/|access-date=2021-11-05|website=ESCToday}} From 2016 to 2021, RTÉ held an internal selection to choose the artist and song to represent Ireland at the contest. For the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, RTÉ announced on 16 September 2021 the organisation of the national final Eurosong 2022 to choose the artist and song to represent Ireland at the contest.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-16|title=Submit your entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2022|url=https://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/1247211-submit-your-entry-to-the-eurovision-song-contest-2022/|access-date=2021-11-05|website=rte.ie|publisher=RTÉ}}{{Cite web|date=2021-09-17|title=Public to have more say in selection of Ireland's Eurovision entry|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2021/0917/1247432-public-to-have-more-say-in-irelands-eurovision-entry/|access-date=2021-11-05|website=rte.ie|publisher=RTÉ}} This marked the first time since 2015 that RTÉ had set up a national final to select both the artist and song for the contest.

Eurosong 2022 was the national final format developed by RTÉ in order to select Ireland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. The competition was held on 4 February 2022 at the Studio 4 of RTÉ in Dublin, hosted by Ryan Tubridy with Marty Whelan reporting from the green room and broadcast on RTÉ One during a special edition of The Late Late Show.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-04 |title=Ireland: What to expect from 'The Late Late Show' 🇮🇪 |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/ireland-eurosong-2022 |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=Eurovision.tv |language=en-gb}} The show was also broadcast online via the RTÉ Player.{{cite web |date=4 February 2022 |title=The Late Late Show - RTÉ Player |url=https://www.rte.ie/player/series/the-late-late-show/SI0000001694?epguid=IH000413629 |accessdate=5 February 2022 |website=RTÉ Player |publisher=RTÉ}} The national final was watched by 451,000 viewers in Ireland with a market share of 40%.{{Cite web |last=Menéndez |first=Hugo Carabaña |date=2022-02-10 |title=The Late Late Show: Eurosong 2022 arrasa en Irlanda con un 40% de cuota de pantalla |url=https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2022/the-late-late-show-eurosong-2022-arrasa-en-irlanda-con-un-40-de-cuota-de-pantalla/ |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=ESCplus |language=es}}

On 16 September 2021, RTÉ opened a submission period where artists and composers were able to submit their entries for the competition until 22 October 2021. At the closing of the deadline, 320 entries were received.{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=2021-11-16 |title=🇮🇪 Ireland: 320 Songs Submitted For Eurovision 2022 |url=https://eurovoix.com/2021/11/16/ireland-320-songs-submitted-for-eurovision-2022/ |access-date=2021-11-16 |website=Eurovoix}} The competing entries were selected through two phases involving two separate jury panels with members appointed by RTÉ; the first phase involved the first jury of 12 members reviewing all of the submissions and shortlisting 20 to 30 entries, while the second phase involved the second jury of 20 to 25 members selecting the six finalists.{{Cite web |last=Farren |first=Neil |date=2021-11-24 |title=🇮🇪 Ireland: Head of Delegation Would Welcome Irish-Language Entry in Eurovision |url=https://eurovoix.com/2021/11/24/ireland-head-of-delegation-irish-language-entry-eurovision/ |access-date=2021-11-24 |website=Eurovoix}} The finalists were presented between 17 and 21 January 2022 during The Ryan Tubridy Show broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1. Among the competing artists was former contestant Brendan Murray who represented Ireland in 2017.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-17 |title=First two hopefuls announced for Eurosong 2022 |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2022/0117/1274097-first-two-hopefuls-announced-for-eurosong-2022/ |access-date=2022-01-17 |website=rte.ie |publisher=RTÉ}}{{Cite tweet|number=1482713967235670022|user=rte|title=Ireland's road to @Eurovision 2022 begins tomorrow morning on the @ryantubridyshow @RTERadio1, where songs from two acts bidding to represent Ireland will be played. A further four will be played during the week. #eurovision2022|author=RTÉ}}

The national final took place on 4 February 2022 and featured a guest performance from Riverdance as well as commentary from a panel that consisted of singer-songwriter Caroline Corr, singer Lucia Evans, former contest winner Paul Harrington and presenter Bláthnaid Treacy.{{Cite web |last=oLeary |first=Kim |date=2022-02-04 |title=LIVE Ireland's Eurovision song revealed on the Late Late Show |url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/live-rte-late-late-show-22995207 |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=DublinLive |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Muldoon |first=Padraig |date=4 February 2022 |title=Eurosong: Brooke Scullion will sing "That's Rich" for Ireland at Eurovision 2022 |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2022/02/04/brooke-scullion-will-sing-thats-rich-for-ireland-at-eurovision-2022/269327/ |access-date=5 February 2022 |website=Wiwibloggs}} Following the combination of votes from an international jury, the studio panel and public televoting, "That's Rich" performed by Brooke was selected as the winner.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-05 |title=Brooke wins 'Eurosong' and will represent Ireland at Eurovision 🇮🇪 |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/brooke-wins-eurosong-in-ireland |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=eurovision.tv |language=en}} The international jury panel consisted of American journalist William Lee Adams, former Czech Head of Delegation Jan Bors, member of {{Escyr|2021}} Icelandic representative Gagnamagnið Árný Fjóla Ásmundsdóttir and Russian Head of Delegation Ekaterina Orlova.{{Cite web |title=Brooke Scullion will represent Ireland at The Eurovision Song Contest 2022 |url=https://about.rte.ie/2022/02/04/brooke-scullion-will-represent-ireland-at-the-eurovision-song-contest-2022/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=about.rte.ie}}

Brooke made several appearances across Europe to specifically promote "That's Rich" as the Irish Eurovision entry. On 26 March, Brooke performed during the Barcelona Eurovision Party, which was held at the Sala Apolo venue in Barcelona, Spain and hosted by Sharonne and Giuseppe Di Bella.{{Cite news |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=2022-03-13 |title=Spain: Ten Acts Announced So Far For The Barcelona Eurovision Party |language=en-GB |work=Eurovoix |url=https://eurovoix.com/2022/03/13/spain-10-acts-barcelona-eurovision-party/ |access-date=2023-03-02}} On 3 April, Brooke performed during the London Eurovision Party, which was held at the Hard Rock Hotel in London, United Kingdom and hosted by Paddy O'Connell and SuRie.{{Cite web |title=London Eurovision Party 2022 |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/london-eurovision-party-2022/ |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=Wiwibloggs}}{{Cite web |title=London Eurovision Party |url=https://londoneurovision.com/ |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=londoneurovision.com |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301154833/https://londoneurovision.com/ |url-status=dead }} On 7 April, Brooke performed during the Israel Calling event held at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel.{{Cite web |last=Rössing |first=Dominik |date=23 April 2022 |title=TONIGHT: Israel Calling 2022 full show rebroadcast |url=https://escxtra.com/2022/04/23/tonight-israel-calling-2022-full-show-rebroadcast/ |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=escXtra}} On 9 April, Brooke performed during the Eurovision in Concert event which was held at the AFAS Live venue in Amsterdam, Netherlands and hosted by Cornald Maas and Edsilia Rombley.{{Cite web |last=Tarbuck |first=Sean |date=7 April 2022 |title=Line-up complete for Amsterdam's Eurovision in Concert 2022 |url=https://www.escunited.com/line-up-complete-for-amsterdams-eurovision-in-concert-2022/ |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=escunited.com}} On 16 April, Brooke performed during the PrePartyES 2022 event which was held at the Sala La Riviera venue in Madrid, Spain and hosted by Ruth Lorenzo.{{Cite web |last=Korypas |first=Andreas |date=17 April 2022 |title=Spain: Watch all the live performances of the artists at the PrePartyES 2022! |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2022/04/spain-watch-all-the-live-performances-of-the-artists-at-the-prepartyes-2022/ |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=Eurovisionfun}}

In addition to her international appearances, Brooke also completed promotional appearances in Ireland where she performed "That's Rich" on the RTÉ One programme The Late Late Show on 29 April.{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=2022-04-30 |title=🇮🇪 Ireland: Brooke Gives Final Performance Before Eurovision Rehearsals |url=https://eurovoix.com/2022/04/30/brooke-final-performance-before-eurovision-rehearsals/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}}

File:Matera_Sassi,_Basilicata_13.jpg, Basilicata was the location of Brooke's postcard.|right|thumb|A video postcard introduced the Irish performance in the second semi-final and final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. The postcard was filmed in Matera, Basilicata and featured virtual projections of Brooke across the location.]]

According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. On 25 January 2022, an allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in. Ireland was placed into the second semi-final, which was held on 12 May 2022, and performed in the second half of the show.{{cite web|work=Eurovision.tv|publisher=EBU|title=Eurovision 2022: Which Semi-Final is your country performing in? 🇮🇹|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2022-semi-finals|date=2022-01-25|access-date=2022-01-25}}

Once all the competing songs for the 2022 contest had been released, the running order for the semi-finals was decided by the shows' producers rather than through another draw, so that similar songs were not placed next to each other. Ireland was set to perform in position 10, following the entry from {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=2022}} and before the entry from {{esccnty|North Macedonia|y=2022}}.{{cite web|date=29 March 2022|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2022 Semi-Final running orders revealed!|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2022-semi-final-running-order|access-date=29 March 2022|website=Eurovision.tv|publisher=EBU}}

In Ireland, the two semi-finals were broadcast on RTÉ2 and the final was broadcast on RTÉ One with all three shows featuring commentary by Marty Whelan. The second semi-final and the final were also broadcast via radio on RTÉ Radio 1 with commentary by Neil Doherty and Zbyszek Zalinski.{{Cite web |date=2 May 2022 |title=Brooke Scullion takes off for Turin and the Eurovision |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2022/0502/1295596-brooke-scullion-takes-off-for-turin-and-the-eurovision/ |access-date=3 May 2022 |work=rte.ie |publisher=RTÉ}}{{cite web |last1=Mulgrew |first1=Seoirse |date=3 May 2022 |title=Eurovision 2022: When is it on, where can I watch it and everything you need to know about Ireland |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/eurovision-2022-when-is-it-on-where-can-i-watch-it-and-everything-you-need-to-know-about-ireland-41609966.html |access-date=5 May 2022 |work=Independent.ie}}{{Cite web |last=Grace |first=Emily |date=7 May 2022 |title=Ireland: Marty Whelan To Commentate On Eurovision 2022 |url=https://eurovoix.com/2022/05/07/marty-whelan-commentate-eurovision/ |access-date=7 May 2022 |work=Eurovoix}} The Irish spokesperson, who announced the top 12-point score awarded by the Irish jury during the final, was Linda Martin who won the contest for Ireland in {{esccnty|Ireland|y=1992|t=1992}}.{{Cite web |last=Grace |first=Emily |date=7 May 2022 |title=Ireland: Marty Whelan To Commentate On Eurovision 2022 |url=https://eurovoix.com/2022/05/07/marty-whelan-commentate-eurovision/ |access-date=7 May 2022 |work=Eurovoix}}

File:Eurovision 2022 - Semi-final 2 - Ireland - Brooke.jpg

Brooke took part in technical rehearsals on 3 and 6 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 11 and 12 May. This included the jury show on 11 May where the professional juries of each country watched and voted on the competing entries.{{Cite web |date=21 April 2022 |title=Eurovision 2022: Rehearsal Schedule |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/eurovision-2022-rehearsal-schedule |access-date=14 August 2022 |website=eurovisionworld.com}}

The Irish performance featured Brooke performing a dance routine together with four dancers. The stage colours were in blue and pink with the stage floor displaying projections that included a beating heart.{{Cite web |last=Muldoon |first=Padraig |date=2022-05-06 |title=Ireland's Brooke is the beating heart of her second rehearsal at Eurovision 2022 |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2022/05/06/irelands-brooke-eurovision-2022-second-rehearsal/272283/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=wiwibloggs |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Grace |first=Emily |date=2022-05-03 |title=🇮🇪 Ireland: All The Details About Brooke's Rehearsal |url=https://eurovoix.com/2022/05/03/ireland-brooke-rehearsal/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}} The creative team that worked on producing Ireland's performance was led by Emer Walsh, while the dancers that joined Brooke on stage were Amy Ford, Amy Whearity, Lizzy Benham and Sophie Kavanagh.{{Cite web |title=Eurovision 2022 Ireland: Brooke Scullion - "That's Rich" |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/eurovision/2022/ireland |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=Eurovisionworld |language=en-gb}}

At the end of the show, Ireland was not announced among the top 10 entries in the second semi-final and therefore failed to qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Ireland placed fifteenth in the semi-final, receiving a total of 47 points: 35 points from the televoting and 12 points from the juries.

Voting during the three shows involved each country awarding two sets of points from 1-8, 10 and 12: one from their professional jury and the other from televoting. Each nation's jury consisted of five music industry professionals who are citizens of the country they represent, with a diversity in gender and age represented. The judges assess each entry based on the performances during the second Dress Rehearsal of each show, which takes place the night before each live show, against a set of criteria including: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act.{{cite web |title=Voting–Eurovision Song Contest|date=16 May 2019 |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/voting |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=15 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526162423/https://eurovision.tv/about/voting |archive-date=26 May 2021|url-status=live}} Jury members may only take part in panel once every three years, and are obliged to confirm that they are not connected to any of the participating acts in a way that would impact their ability to vote impartially. Jury members should also vote independently, with no discussion of their vote permitted with other jury members.{{cite web |title=Fairness–Eurovision Song Contest |date=21 February 2018 |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/in-depth/fairness/ |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=15 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526162414/https://eurovision.tv/about/in-depth/fairness/ |archive-date=26 May 2021 |url-status=live}} The exact composition of the professional jury, and the results of each country's jury and televoting were released after the grand final; the individual results from each jury member were also released in an anonymised form.{{cite web |title=Juries in the Second Semi-Final of Turin 2022|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/turin-2022/second-semi-final/jury|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=15 May 2022}}{{cite web|title=Juries in the Grand Final of Turin 2022|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/turin-2022/grand-final/jury|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=15 May 2022}}

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Ireland and awarded by Ireland in the second semi-final and grand final of the contest, and the breakdown of the jury voting and televoting conducted during the two shows:

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The following members comprised the Irish jury:

• Bláthnaid Treacy
• Deirdre Crookes
• Julian Vignoles
• Niamh Kavanagh
• Phillip McMahon

{{Reflist}}

{{Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2022}}

2022

Category:Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

Eurovision

Eurovision