Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 with the song "What's Another Year", written by Shay Healy, and performed by Johnny Logan. The Irish participating broadcaster, (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final. The entry eventually won the Eurovision Song Contest.
Before Eurovision
National final (RTÉ) held the sixteenth edition of the National Song Contest on 9 March 1980 at its studios in Dublin, hosted by Larry Gogan. Eight songs were performed live to the Irish viewers and listeners, with the winning song being decided by 10 regional juries across the country. Artist Song Points Place 1Roy Taylor and Karen Black"Lovin' Won't Let You Down"133 2The Straw Hat and Garter Company"Take Me Back Again" 28 3Eileen Reid"The Saddest Show on Earth"104 4Charlie Chapman and The Miami"You're So Cheeky"55 5Johnny Logan"What's Another Year"401 6The Dajacs"You Have"47 7Peter Beckett"Stepping Stones"212 8Romance"Love Is All There Is"55
+ Detailed Regional Jury Votes Song scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" Total 1"Lovin' Won't Let You Down"112 15 313 2"Take Me Back Again" 1 12 3"The Saddest Show on Earth"2 2 31 210 4"You're So Cheeky" 23 5 5"What's Another Year"2318610413240 6"You Have" 1 21 4 7"Stepping Stones"554 2 5 21 8"Love Is All There Is" 1 1 125
At Eurovision
The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was held at the in the Hague, Netherlands. Ireland performed 17th on the night of the contest, following and preceding . Logan received 143 points for his performance, winning the contest for Ireland. This was Ireland's second victory, ten years after its first in 1970.
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
Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest
Among "What's Another Year"'s future honours as a Eurovision evergreen was its inclusion as one of the fourteen competing songs in Congratulations, Eurovision's fiftieth anniversary contest special. It was one of two Irish entries competing to be named the best Eurovision entry of all time, the other being Logan's subsequent winner, "Hold Me Now". The song was performed second on the night, following the United Kingdom's Cliff Richard with "Congratulations" and preceding Israel's Dana International with "Diva." Unlike "Hold Me Now," "What's Another Year" failed to make it past the first round, finishing 12th with 74 points.
Voting + Points awarded to "What's Another Year" (Round 1) Score Country 12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point
References