It may be getting chillier by the day outside but Eurovision season is just getting warmed up, as Ireland becomes the latest country to announce its selection plans for the upcoming contest in Denmark.
Following on from last year’s embarrassing 26th place finish in Malmö, there were suggestions that RTÉ would re-evaluate its Eurovision selection process. Well, in spite of everything, RTÉ has taken the view that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and has decided to retain the existing mentoring procedure. Apparently 4 grand finals in a row is a success. Whatever happened to the days of 4 wins in 5 years? C’mon people a bit of aspiration wouldn’t go astray.
Aside from the 5 individual mentors the format will be identical to prior years. Each mentor must choose an act and song by 3 January 2014. Recorded versions of the songs should be submitted to RTÉ by 3 February. The 5 acts will then perform their songs on 28 February as part of “The Late Late Show” Eurosong special (*groan*), where the winner will be decided by a combination of public and jury votes.
And what of the mentors? They are Billy McGuinness, Hazel Kaneswaran, Cormac Battle, Valerie Roe and Mark Murphy. It’s not really a list of names that would inspire you to provisionally book a Dublin hotel room for May 2015. I’m only familiar with Hazel Kaneswaran and Cormac Battle. But I promise to do some digging and give you lot the full low down on each of the mentors over the coming days. Fingers crossed they’re all musical geniuses.
In the meantime what do you guys think? Are RTÉ right to keep the mentoring system? Should “Eurosong” be a stand alone show, separate from “The Late Late Show” (hint: YES!)? Do you think any of the bookies favourites will be chosen? And most importantly will Ireland be able to improve on last year? Comments below please.
If you’re interested in taking part as either a song writer or performer you can get the relevant contact details by clicking here.
Padraig Jude contributed this report from Ireland. Follow him on Twitter at @PadraigJude. And while you’re at it, like our Facebook page to stay up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip.
Photo: Thomas Hanses (EBU)
You know, I am currently working on a new national final in my spare time. If RTE approve of my new show, the 5 mentor system will become a thing of the past and we will HOPEFULLY win again. Here is how I am going about my new national selection process: Concept: Talent Show (Eurovision selection process) Name of the Show: The Eirevision Song Contest (Taken from the Irish word for Ireland, Eire.) Venue: The O2 Dublin (capacity of 12,000), RDS Simmonscourt (capacity of 5,500.) or The Odyssey Arena in Belfast (capacity of 11,000). Who could host it (2 hosts,… Read more »
I hope Sinead Mulvey represents Ireland again 😀
Sue, Look at the Netherlands. Just like Ireland, they have struggled in the past and even had a horrendous time trying to get past the semi-final. Then they brought out the big guns and sent Anouk to Malmö this year, along with a quality song which suits her specialty. After 7 failed attempts, the Netherlands finally reach the Grand Final and made it all the way into the top 10, finishing 9th. So Eurovisiondco is correct. Ireland just needs to put more quality onto their entries and yes, Ryan Dolan clearly didn’t deserve to end up last at Malmö this… Read more »
Sue even if Ireland did cheat the still couldn’t win with the recent lame attempts .. I’m Irish btw .. It’s noting about our geographically location it’s our half arsed attempts for last 15 years or so ..
it wont matter what song is picked, how good it is unless the voting is sorted so its impossible to buy votes and so neighbours dont vote for each other Ireland no longer has a hope we,re too on the edge of europe with our only neighbour being UK and too honest to cheat (whats the point u want to win for being best not cos you bought the most votes). I know they are trying to correct the voting for 2014 but i’ll believe it when i see it so until its proven to work you can send anyone… Read more »