Photo: Andres Poveda for RTE

It’s the national selection that gave viewers fan favourite and promo tour sweetheart Brooke Scullion. And now the Eurosong Late Late Show Special will return to choose Ireland’s Eurovision 2023 song and artist.

Writing on the web site of Irish broadcaster RTÉ, producers confirmed Ireland’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom and uploaded the official submission form.

The closing date for submissions is 6pm on Friday 28th of October 2022.

They rightly describe Eurovision as “a global phenomenon,” and “one of the most popular annual television events on the planet.”

Recognising the show’s strength with young audiences throughout Europe, they’re looking for “contemporary artists and songwriters with the talent and ambition to compete and succeed in this highly competitive environment.” They add that this is “probably not an opportunity for beginners or people with limited or no experience of performing in public to large crowds.”

And one other thing: RTÉ reserves the right at any stage to invite established songwriters and/or artists to submit entries and to include any such entries in the shortlisted Eurosong final entries eligible for selection on the “Eurosong Late Late Show Special”. 

Ireland confirms “Eurosong Late Late Show Special”

Submission rules and guidelines

“If you are an accomplished songwriter with a proven track record of success in the music industry, we would like you to submit a song (with a suitable performer(s) attached) to be considered to represent Ireland.”

“All recordings of songs must be submitted in MP3 192kbps format and be complete, be professionally recorded and in their final form – no demos, unfinished work or substandard recordings will be accepted.”

“Submissions must have a performer(s) already attached, performer(s) must have the talent, drive and ambition to compete at the highest level before a global audience of over 200 million people. Performer(s) putting themselves forward (with a song) must have intrinsic and obvious appeal to the core youth audiences who make up a significant amount of Eurovision viewers and fans.”

“Entries will be considered by a panel of music and entertainment industry professionals and Eurovision fans selected by RTÉ. Performer(s) may be invited to audition in the RTÉ studios in Dublin.”

“Songwriters/composers may only submit one song (including co-writes) for consideration and the song must not have been submitted for consideration to any other country participating in Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Songs must be no longer than 3 minutes in duration. Please include a photograph of the performer(s) and a short biog.”

“The songs (lyrics and music compositions) must be original and must not have been released and/or publicly performed in part or in full before the 1st September 2022.”

“In all cases RTÉ will have the final say on which song and performer(s) will be Ireland’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry and RTÉ and the EBU will retain final decision on the eligibility of any entry and the application of the rules.”

“Entries will ONLY be accepted through the online form on www.rte.ie/eurovision . No entries will be accepted by post, on CD, cassette or any other format, neither will we accept links to Wetransfer, Soundcloud, Dropbox or to any other third-party sites such as YouTube, Spotify, Tidal or other streaming platforms.”

Who do you fancy seeing on the Eurosong stage? Are you happy that The Late Late Show will once again be used? Let us know down below!

 
 
 
 
 
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32 Comments
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HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
1 year ago

Every year RTE claims that money is tight and they’ve got to keep the show trim and light budget. But I really wish they would host it in a bigger venue like the Dublin Helix or the Limerick University Hall, they are much more suitable venues rather than that tinny studio. It doesn’t have to be MelodiFetival but a bigger stage and crowd would surely lead to better performances and more interest from tv audiences. I enjoyed Brooke’s song last year, didn’t like the whole pyjama party she did on the NF but thought they did a fantastic job improving… Read more »

Escfan
Escfan
1 year ago

I don’t hate the idea of us doing a selection but my issue is that I don’t think the selection committee and in particular our hod are doing a good job of selecting songs for the selection. Last year, I thought it was pretty weak, although I was happy with our eventual winner and the performance in Turin. As much as I like pop music, I still think its quite short-sighted of our hod to talk about esc and even selecting songs as needing to be pop songs, needing to appeal to a certain audience etc. It feels like we’re… Read more »

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

I don’t really like internal selections, so I support choosing song via national final.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

I think this national final is right way for Ireland. They sent very decent song last year. This year they grade it up and search for experienced performers. We should wait until we see the options.

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

But surely if they wanted to go to Eurovision, which is an even bigger contest. Established names like Hooverphonic, The Rasmus and Flo Rida all bombed with the televotes!

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
1 year ago

I wish you would stop saying Ireland 2022 was a great song. It was a poor song from a weak selection. I hope Ireland 2023 selection is a lot stronger

Roo
Roo
1 year ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

It was a song we grew to love and perfectly represents the unreality of the fan bubble. We get excited about a song we have grown to love then disappointed when the song performs at Eurovision to the wider audience who reacts the way we did initially, this song could be better.

Jimbo
Jimbo
1 year ago

I do think in 2024 Eurosong Late Late Show Special isn’t the best direction for finding a music artist for Ireland. Ireland has a great selection of authentic music artists who could get them back in the final. Maybe go down the UK route and get a really good music management company to search for music artists and songwriters. Ireland do have great unheard music artists like Rachel Levalle who give off Anouk vibes or Soda Blonde who the vocalist has a Kate Bush with a Synthpop sound or go for a rapper like Denise Chalia who getting a bit… Read more »

Michael crosse
Michael crosse
1 year ago

If someone(s) have what they think is a good song they should submit it it can be polished later if needs be

Jake
Jake
1 year ago

they really need to rethink things…I loved Brooke and her commitment and work ethic…the song was fun but the entire production felt very basic…RTE really needs to lean in on artists that are established, even if not super famous–they should have experience performing, touring and signed to record labels…I have heard interviews of past Irish Eurovision legends and they all have said that the 70s-80s-90s the Irish national finals always were filled with very experienced artists who gigged regularly and weren’t using the contest to springboard them into fame

Darren
Darren
1 year ago

Ugh we are still doing this -_-

I just….can’t.

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

I’m an odd one out, and I honestly thought Ireland’s selection last year was really good! I liked most of the songs in there except Real Love and Yeah We’re Going To Get Out Of It. My favorite was easily Patrick O’Sullivan’s One Night One Kiss One Promise which I am still mad about that it’s not on Spotify. I hope he gets a chance to represent Ireland eventually, he’s a great live singer.

Skdkf
Skdkf
1 year ago
Reply to  Vivian

I totally agree, I liked the concept of it but I think maybe they could adjust it to some of the aspects of pre internal selection where artists had “mentors” to help promote give help and etc

Voilà monsieur
Voilà monsieur
1 year ago

RTÉ and Ireland have completely lost their ways at Eurovision. I can’t see how the next Eurosong will be any different from the last (considering that there’s been very little format change).

RTÉ clearly have no interest in winning or hosting the event. Michael Kealy…your time as HoD is WELL overdue!

Jimmyjet
Jimmyjet
1 year ago

Absolutely correct!

Dans82
Dans82
1 year ago

I would have preferred if RTÉ withdrew and took a break for a few years (or indefinitely). Shoehorning 5 acts we’ve never heard of into a talk show hasn’t worked for the past two decades and is unlikely to work in 2023. Also get rid of the awful Marty Whelan commentary, as Irish viewers we’ve suffered more than enough.

Darren
Darren
1 year ago
Reply to  Dans82

Agreed with everything you say except Marty Whelan!
He keeps us going through the Grand Final as we mourn our inevitable and expected NQ he cheers us up with his humor.
Definitely an Irish Eurovision icon. Eurovision in Ireland just would not be the same without him.

conortje
conortje
1 year ago
Reply to  Dans82

Agree with everything you say. I honestly don’t get why people like Marty Whelan. I think he’s a dreadful broadcaster.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago

And it’s sad to see Ireland in that state, they have a pack of great acts that could bring something unique and slick to the contest

Joe
Joe
1 year ago

I was so disappointed when Ireland failed to qualify this year. Considering this at the very least was the first time in three years they didn’t bottom out their semi-final, I don’t blame them at all for sticking with Eurosong.

Yush
Yush
1 year ago

Not again !!!!!!!! I can’t take it anymore. Last year was embarrassing. Didn’t like That’s Rich cause it sounded like an unfinished demo. Brooke slayed at the semi final tho. The only song that was listenable there is I’m Loving Me with the weakest performance I’ve ever seen. Wtf Ireland You are the one who bloody won Eurovision the most!!!!!! ????????????

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

Deep breath. In… and out.

Zisk
Zisk
1 year ago

I’m so excited to see another selection of hand picked The Voice, X Factor and Got Talent rejects because what matters is the crowd experience and not having the best song.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

Ireland’s national selections are simply embarrassing.

How is it possible that Slovenia, a country of 2.1M can produce a sleek & modern NF with at least 10 songs worthy of qualifying for the final, but Ireland, a country of 5M (6.8M incl. N.I) has some of the worst songs ever and relies on a talk show to host the NF?

Ireland’s HoD always has thousands of excuses but ZERO action. He needs to go ASAP!

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

RTE isn’t an impoverished broadcaster with zero funds either! They have funds, they just don’t use them correctly. Their HoD would rather direct funding to boring programmes (with seriously BAD ratings) like Dancing With The Stars.

If Ireland’s HoD was in charge of any other nation, he would’ve been replaced years ago. It’s time for some change Ireland, get rid of that HoD and start a fresh chapter!

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

I’m sorry, but most EMA songs are not competitive, just like their 2022 song.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

EMA is still far superior compared to Eurosong, and at least they have a handful of songs that are credible, unlike Eurosong.

Jimmyjet
Jimmyjet
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

If people failed as often as the RTÉ HoD, they would be sacked years ago. Why doesn’t he do the honourable thing, resign and let a professional take over? It’s embarrassing for Ireland to fail year after year. If RTÉ can’t be bothered to make a decent attempt like the BBC did last year, then please do Ireland a favour and just leave the contest!

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

Everybody should be welcome, not just the “youth” market.

Skdkf
Skdkf
1 year ago

Good to see they haven’t instantly taken up wild youth on their offer and are hosting a selection

Esc
Esc
1 year ago
Reply to  Skdkf

I won’t be surprised if wild youth are in the selection, after they do meet the experienced, performed to crowds and youth market criteria.

apollinischesprinzip
apollinischesprinzip
1 year ago
Reply to  Skdkf

well, they should’ve.

i doubt anyone better will apply.