Ireland’s path to Lisbon has been long and winding. Ever since RTÉ confirmed they were going internal once more at August’s Eurovision Forum, the rumour mill has been in overdrive. But it looks like, just maybe, the saga is almost at an end.
This morning, it was reported that TV bosses had rejected bids from ex-Sex Pistol John Lydon and the folk-pop duo Heathers. And according to the same report in The Irish Sun, the broadcaster has settled on a male solo artist. The tabloid listed a number of names, including former Voice of Ireland and Britain’s Got Talent contestant Ryan O’Shaughnessy.
Mere hours later, Ryan shared a black and white image across his social media portfolio — Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. The fairly innocuous picture shows the singer sitting on steps, wrapped up in a winter jacket and scarf, yet also donning shades. However, it’s the accompanying caption that’s caught everyone’s attention.
“Big announcement coming tomorrow!” he writes, signing off with an Irish flag emoji.
Has he let the cat out of the bag? Eurofans are certainly adding “announcement” plus “Irish flag” and getting “Eurovision”.
— Ethno Jazz-Framework Elainovisão (@elainovision) January 30, 2018
Ok I’m almost certain it’s Ryan O’Shaughnessy for #eurovision. Decent singer, it’ll be about the song though. It NEEDS to be decent. I want a qualifier this year pls. ??
— Keith (@Ragin_Spice) January 30, 2018
You do realise now the Eurovision fans are on to you wondering?!
— Je m’appelle Percy ?????? (@UnitedSingdom) January 30, 2018
There is a chance that the timing is merely coincidence. Perhaps Ryan will play a major role in upcoming St.Patrick’s Day festivities? Or maybe he’s heading off to Korea as part of the Irish Olympics team? Could he just be super excited about Ireland’s chances in the Six Nations rugby tournament starting at the weekend?
When you think about it, Eurovision just might be the most obvious option.
To add further fuel to the fire, Ireland’s most recent Head of Press Rayna Connery is among his newest followers on Twitter. The plot thickens. Is she merely a fan?
Who is Ryan O’Shaughenessy?
The former child actor turned pop star is no stranger to singing competitions. He competed in both the Voice Of Ireland and Britain’s Got Talent in 2012, causing a whole load of drama when both shows clashed.
(Un)luckily for him he was eliminated during the first live show of the Voice, enabling him to continue on to the final of BGT. Afterwards he released two singles and an EP which cracked the top ten in both Ireland and the UK.
He also appeared on the Irish version of The Hit in 2013. His most recent album Back To Square One came out in 2016.
If he is destined for Eurovision, he’ll be hoping to do better than his Uncle Gary, who came third from bottom in 2001 with “Without Your Love”.
But first he would need to make it to the grand final. Ireland last reached that milestone in 2013.
What do you think? Could Ryan O’Shaughnessy be the mystery male solo artist? Would he be a good choice for Ireland. Let us know in the comments below.
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Ah, yes, I remember him from BGT. He was okay, but nothing to write home about. I very much preferred last year’s act.
Ireland needs to make Padraig proud. It had long been waiting for this. Don’t let him down, please
Another cute Irishman. Fine. I’m happy with that. But please choreograph him more seriously this time. Don’t use a gimmick like a fake hot-air balloon. No to the gimmicks, focus on the music and the song, please. 🙂
Great comment! B-) Ha ha…
Cute and wonderful, emotional voice, so he has those two things going for him right off the bat — he just needs a great song (which hopefully he can somewhat control, if he writes all his own songs) and to give a strong performance to really cement his place (being in the late second half of the 1st semifinal WON’T help but being directly surrounded by countries (Greece, Macedonia, Switzerland) with not a great history of recent qualifications themselves SHOULD help — but the first half being SO stacked with traditional (and recent powers) might prevent him from advancing, no… Read more »
I’m disappointed The Heathers deal came to nothing, hopefully we’ll hear their potential song/s and they talk again next year. Also disappointed about John Lyndon, could have been interesting, don’t care about his age. I haven heard of Ryan but he looks promising. He must have plenty of live/TV experience and hopefully a good choice of songs (if he is going to Lisbon). So many of Ireland’s entries have been so drab lately (I liked 2015 though), and that includes his uncles effort from 2001. I like a ballad if it is sincere and touching, and I like authentic Celtic… Read more »
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Thanks, guys!
The last time Ireland qualified was with a male soloist named Ryan. Interesting.
Think about it the last time Ireland qualified we preformed with a male solo artist and his name was Ryan and he also performed in the second half of the 1st semi final so maybe that ups our chances???
I want Ireland to do very well this year. Good luck
And can anybody tell me how his name is pronounced? No, [raian] isn’t an acceptable answer.
Ry (like rye bread)
An (opposite of out)
O (OH!)
Shaugh (sounds like saw)
Ne (like nuh-uh)
Ssy (like see)
Hope that helps!
Ryan O’Shaughnessy = Rye-en O Shock-nessy. Yes, even in English, Irish names are difficult to pronounce?. Many Irish people struggle to pronounce some of our own names too!
Just say “rain” like a redneck and you’ll be fine.
The announcement of announcement was soon followed by the eye emoji and lips emoji. Nobody really knows what did he mean by it.
He’s gonna sing about kissing xD
Or Lipstick.
Is he really Gary’s nephew? That is hilarious. Without Your Love is perhaps my least favorite Irish entry ever. Hopefully Ryan can redeem the family name, he seems a likeable guy and can certainly sing. I just hope the song has a memorable melody, and isn’t sub-EdSheeran mediocrity.
He certainly is Gary’s nephew, yes. It would be quite cool to see two family members represent Ireland in different decades.
Ryan is great. Lets hope his song is as good as the ones he did on Britains Got Talent! Ireland could have a gem on their hands here!
who cares about this country. Im very sorry
Sorry, I know they haven’t won since the 90’s but Ireland have won Eurovision more than any other nation. I think many people care.
noone cared about Portugal in 2017 though…
Trust me… many people did 😉
I’m not sure, but I think they meant before the songs for Festival were revealed.
Nobody cares about your opinion
I bet you are sorry especially with the respect you’ve shown.
Nobody cares about Portugal before 2017 and now look we are going to Lisbon this May !
Literally every single comment of you is either negative or a wrong argument…
All countries deserve equal respect! If we totally disregarded your country, that’d feel pretty crappy, wouldn’t it? From Albania to the UK, spread love, not apathy.
Well, that was… unnecessary.
Good news
SO.OVER.RUMOURS.
Ryan is a very talented singer but it is going to be down to the song. If he’s written his song, it could be really good
He writes all his own songs so a self penned entry for ESC would be a given.
Between him, Eugent, and (if all goes well) Horvath, it’s gonna be a “white guy with acoustic guitar” jamboree.
The heathers turned down the offer cause they were being asked to sing the song the broadcaster selected!! Ryan probably will have to sing that particular song itself!!