Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1999 with the song "When You Need Me", written by Bronagh Mullan, and performed by The Mullans. The Irish participating broadcaster, (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final.
Before Eurovision Eurosong '99 '99 was a radio song contest started in 1995 by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta exclusively for Irish songs. The first edition of the contest was not related to Eurosong, but from 1996 until 1999, the recent winner of would qualify to Eurosong. Ten songs were chosen to compete in the 5th edition of and, starting on 2 December 1998, one song was presented each day between 10:30 and 11:00 (GMT) on the radio show . The final of '99 was broadcast at 10:00 (GMT) on 18 December 1998 and was hosted by Seán Ó hÉanaigh. The results of '99 were decided by a 3-member jury consisting of Carrie Crowley, Eithne Ní Uallacháin, and Cian Ó Ciobháin. However, the running order and results of Réalta '99 are unknown.
Artist Song Songwriter(s)Brendan Devereaux"An tíogar ceilteach"Maoilre de Búrca, Brendan DevereauxBrighdin Carr & Tina McDaid"Saor"Brighdin CarrCathal Ó Catháin"Is fiú is féidir"Cathal Ó CatháinColm Mac Séalaigh"Eileanóir"Colm Mac SéalaighDamian Mac Gabhann"Is féidir linn"Damian Mac GabhannHelen Uí Dhunáird"Oileán intinne"Seán Ó Coisdealbha, Helen Uí DhunáirdMáiré Ní Mhaoilbhín"Glór na dtonn"Siobhán Ní Mhurchú, Micheál Ó hAllmhuráinMaria NÍ Chumhaill"Tamall dom"Éamonn Friel, Dave DugganPól Ó Colmáin"Siúil amach an doras"Pól Ó ColmáinProinsias Mac an Tuile"An bon bon carr"Proinsias Mac an Tuile, Bríd Ní Mhurchú
Final RTÉ held Eurosong '99 on 7 March at the RTÉ Television Centre in Dublin, hosted by Pat Kenny. Eight artists and songs were selected to compete which were presented on 9 January 1999 on the RTÉ show Kenny Live. Regional televoting determined the winner and after the combination of votes, "When You Need Me" performed by the Mullans was selected as the winner.
+ Final – 7 March 1999 Artist Song Songwriter(s) Points Place 1 Nigel Connell "I Believed" Danny Sheerin, Des Sheerin 37 6 2 Brendan Keeley "You Must Have Been Crazy" Brendan Keeley, Graham Murphy 66 2 3 Barry Doyle "Run to Me" Barry Doyle 22 8 4 Tommy Quinn "You Can't Fight It" John Fitzpatrick 27 7 5 Maggie Toal and Andy McComish "I Won't Ever Let You Go" Stephen Nimmon 57 3 6 Doona "An bon bon carr" Proínsias Mac an Tuile, Bríd Ní Mhurchú 48 4 7 Gary O'Shaughnessy "I'll Be There" Denise Reynolds 44 5 8 The Mullans "When You Need Me" Bronagh Mullan 84 1 + Detailed Regional Televoting Results Song Dialling codes Total 05 02 06 09 07 04 01 scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" "I Believed" 5 5 5 6 5 6 5 37 "You Must Have Been Crazy" 10 10 10 8 8 10 10 66 "Run to Me" 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 22 "You Can't Fight It" 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 27 "I Won't Ever Let You Go" 8 8 8 7 10 8 8 57 "An bon bon carr" 6 7 7 10 7 5 6 48 "I'll Be There" 7 6 6 5 6 7 7 44 "When You Need Me" 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 84
At Eurovision The Mullans performed 17th in the running order on the evening of the contest. "When You Need Me" picked up 18 points, finishing in 17th place.
Voting
+ Points awarded to Ireland Score Country 12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point
+ Points awarded by Ireland Score Country 12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point
References