Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980

Ireland entered the Eurovision Song Contest 1980, sending Johnny Logan to the contest with the song "What's Another Year", written by Shay Healy.

Eurovision Song Contest 1980
Country Ireland
National selection
Selection processNational final
Selection date(s)9 March 1980
Selected entrantJohnny Logan
Selected song"What's Another Year"
Selected songwriter(s)Shay Healy
Finals performance
Final result1st, 143 points
Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄1979 • 1980 • 1981►

Before Eurovision

National final

The Irish national final to select the Irish representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 1980, was held on 9 March 1980 at the RTÉ Studios in Dublin and was hosted by Larry Gogan. It was organised by the Irish broadcaster of the contest Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ).

Eight songs were performed live to the Irish viewers and listeners, with the winning song being decided by 10 regional juries across the country. The winner went on to win the Eurovision Song Contest in The Hague, which gave Ireland its second victory, ten years after its first.

Draw Artist Song Points Place
1 Roy Taylor and Karen Black "Lovin' Won't Let You Down" 13 3
2 The Straw Hat and Garter Company "Take Me Back Again" 2 8
3 Eileen Reid "The Saddest Show on Earth" 10 4
4 Charlie Chapman and The Miami "You're So Cheeky" 5 5
5 Johnny Logan "What's Another Year" 40 1
6 The Dajacs "You Have" 4 7
7 Peter Beckett "Stepping Stones" 21 2
8 Romance "Love Is All There Is" 5 5
Detailed Regional Jury Votes
Draw Song Longford Kenmare Claremorris Cork Sligo Wexford Donegal Limerick Dublin Thurles Total
1 "Lovin' Won't Let You Down"11215313
2 "Take Me Back Again"112
3 "The Saddest Show on Earth"2231210
4 "You're So Cheeky"235
5 "What's Another Year"2318610413240
6 "You Have"1214
7 "Stepping Stones"5542521
8 "Love Is All There Is"11125

At Eurovision
Johnny Logan at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980

The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was held at the Congresgebouw in The Hague, Netherlands. Ireland performed 17th on the night of the contest, following France and preceding Spain. Logan received 143 points for his performance, winning the contest for Ireland.[1]

Voting

Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest
Main article: Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest

Among "What's Another Year"'s future honours as a Eurovision evergreen was its inclusion as one of the fourteen competing songs in Congratulations, Eurovision's fiftieth anniversary contest special. It was one of two Irish entries competing to be named the best Eurovision entry of all time, the other being Logan's subsequent winner, "Hold Me Now.". The song was performed second on the night, following the United Kingdom's Cliff Richard with "Congratulations" and preceding Israel's Dana International with "Diva." Unlike "Hold Me Now," "What's Another Year" failed to make it past the first round, finishing 12th with 74 points.[3]

Voting
Points awarded to "What's Another Year" (Round 1)[3]
Score Country
12 points
10 points
8 points  Ireland
7 points
6 points
5 points  Denmark
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 point

References
  1. "Final of The Hague 1980". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  2. "Results of the Final of The Hague 1980". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  3. "Congratulations: Results from the voting (Round 1)" (PDF). Eurovision Song Contest. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2006. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
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