Strabane singer for Ireland at Eurovision

Published Saturday, 23 February 2013

Strabane singer Ryan Dolan has been chosen to represent Ireland at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

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His song Only Love Survives placed ahead of four other hopefuls on EuroSong 2013, on RTE's Late Late Show.

The Co Tyrone musician, who was the only entrant to perform his own composition, will now go forward to sing in Malmö, Sweeden, later this year.

He said: "I am thrilled to have been chosen to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest. A huge thank you to everyone who voted for the song tonight - I really appreciate it.

"I'd like to thank my family, friends and my mentor Stuart for all their support over the last few months. It's such an honour to have been chosen to represent Ireland at Eurovision.

"I can't wait to perform in Malmö in May."

The other acts who competed were Zoë Alexis Bohorquez, Inchequin, Kasey and Aimée Fitzpatrick, who was favoured by the judges before televoters picked Mr Dolan.

Last year X Factor twins Jedward finished eighth when they represented Ireland at the Eurovision in Baku, Azerbaijan, with an energetic performance of Waterline.

This year's UK entrant is yet to be announced.

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Thank all u guys so so much!! :D I can't believe we done it!! U are all so amazing!! Love u all!! Xxx
— Ryan Dolan Official (@ryandolanmusic) February 23, 2013

Comments

22 Comments

Mark in Belfast wrote (81 days ago):

@Danny in Ulster, the cost of living is not that much higher than NI. It use to be back in 2005 but today in Ireland its alot cheaper. Some things even cheaper than the North especially fuel £1.29 a litre i paid last week in Dublin. Thousands of people are leaving N.I for OZ also just like many are leaving England and Scotland for OZ. Ireland has way to many police stations for its population. They have a freeze on Garda recruitment at the moment but is due to be lifted later this year. People are better off financially in Ireland than they are in England. We are all going through bad times at the moment, but Ireland has the industry and infrastructure to bounce back quicker than most. We are already seeing signs of that with all the recent job announcements over the last few months.

Cop on in Islington wrote (81 days ago):

@me in tyrone, do you think the NHS is free?? Were do you think the money comes from to pay for it? Nothing is free in life. In England we pay 12.5% national insurance tax. In Ireland they pay 4% national insurance. A huge difference. The NHS cost us a fortune in England. One that will not last into the future. It is way to expensive to fund. Watch this space.

Danny in Ulster wrote (81 days ago):

John in London - The salaries in Ireland need to be higher because the cost of living is higher. I was reading an Irish newspaper in the airport the other week, it was all about a town in Co Clare and how the Garda station was closing as the local Garda officer had retired and wasn't being replaced due to budget cuts, so crime is now rocketing. It also mentioned how many young men were emmigrating to Australia and other countries to find work. It doesn't sound to me like all is rosy south of the border...

John in London,England wrote (82 days ago):

@Rob in Belfast the song represents Ireland. Not the Republic of Ireland. The island of Ireland. Just like the Irish rugby team represents the whole country, one land mass he is representing his country put the politics aside, i apologise that my country messed up Ireland in the past. Good Luck to him. Good Luck Ireland.

realistic in planet earth wrote (82 days ago):

Rob in Belfast, go and read the GFA lad, give yourself a lesson in geography.....:)

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