Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010

Eurosong 2010 was the national final format developed by RTÉ in order to select Ireland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. The competition was held on 5 March 2010 at the Studio 4 of RTÉ in Dublin, hosted by Ryan Tubridy and broadcast on RTÉ One during a special edition of The Late Late Show. The show was also broadcast online via RTÉ's official website rte.ie and the official Eurovision Song Contest website eurovision.tv.[6][7]

On 10 December 2009, RTÉ opened a submission period where artists and composers were able to submit their entries for the competition until 1 February 2010. Artists were also required to indicate the performance and staging details of their song.[8][9] At the closing of the deadline, over 300 entries were received. Five finalists were selected by a five-member jury panel appointed by RTÉ: singer and former contest winner Linda Martin, Universal Music Ireland director Mark Crossingham, agent and choreographer Julian Benson, broadcaster Larry Gogan and chairman of OGAE Ireland Diarmuid Furlong. All of the submissions were evaluated based on three criteria: suitability of the song for Eurovision, quality of the artist and suitability of the proposed artist-song combination; the jury reserved the right to match songs with different artists to the ones who submitted an entry.[10][11] The finalists were announced on 10 February 2010, while their songs were presented on 4 March 2010 during The Derek Mooney Show on RTÉ Radio 1.[12][13][14]

The national final took place on 5 March 2010 and featured guest performances from former contest winners Dana Rosemary Scallon and Johnny Logan as well as commentary from a panel that consisted of Rosemary Scallon, Logan, former contestant Michael Ball and commentator Marty Whelan.[15] Following the 50/50 combination of votes from six regional juries and public televoting, "It's for You" performed by Niamh Kavanagh was selected as the winner.[16][17]

Niamh Kavanagh during a rehearsal before the second semi-final

Niamh Kavanagh took part in technical rehearsals on 19 and 23 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.

The Irish performance featured Niamh Kavanagh in a purple dress with Swarovski crystals. The stage lighting began with a single spotlight, which changed to an emerald colour and lastly a golden hue across the entire stage. The performance also featured smoke effects and the use of a wind machine. Kavanagh was joined on stage by four backing vocalists, one of them which also played the flute: Ed O'Leary, Karl Power, Nikki Kavanagh and the first cousin of Kavanagh who also bears the same name.[22][23][24]

At the end of the show, Ireland was announced as having finished in the top 10 and consequently qualifying for the grand final. It was later revealed that Ireland placed ninth in the semi-final, receiving a total of 67 points.

Shortly after the second semi-final, a winners' press conference was held for the ten qualifying countries. As part of this press conference, the qualifying artists took part in a draw to determine the running order for the final and Ireland was drawn to perform in position 10, following the entry from Belarus and before the entry from Greece.

Niamh Kavanagh once again took part in dress rehearsals on 28 and 29 May before the final, including the jury final where the professional juries cast their final votes before the live show. Niamh Kavanagh performed a repeat of her semi-final performance during the final on 29 May. Ireland placed twenty-third in the final, scoring 25 points.

Voting during the three shows consisted of 50 percent public televoting and 50 percent from a jury deliberation. The jury consisted of five music industry professionals who were citizens of the country they represent. This jury was asked to judge each contestant based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act. In addition, no member of a national jury could be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently.

Following the release of the full split voting by the EBU after the conclusion of the competition, it was revealed that Ireland had placed thirteenth with the public televote and sixth with the jury vote in the second semi-final. In the public vote, Ireland scored 43 points, while with the jury vote, Ireland scored 84 points. In the final, Ireland had placed twenty-fourth with the public televote and sixteenth with the jury vote. In the public vote, Ireland scored 15 points, while with the jury vote, Ireland scored 62 points.

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Ireland and awarded by Ireland in the second semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Lithuania in the semi-final and to Denmark in the final of the contest.