Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1977 with the song "It's Nice to Be in Love Again", written by Tommy and Jimmy Swarbrigg, and performed by themselves, along Alma Carroll and Nicola Kerr, under the stage name The Swarbriggs Plus Two. The Irish participating broadcaster, (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final. The Swarbriggs had previously represented .
Before Eurovision
National Song Contest (RTÉ) held the thirteenth edition of the National Song Contest on Sunday 20 February 1977 at its studios in Dublin, hosted by Mike Murphy. Eight songs took part, with the winner chosen by voting from ten regional juries.Other participants included past and future Irish representatives Dickie Rock () and Colm C. T. Wilkinson (), while future Eurovision winner Linda Martin () performed as a member of the group Chips.
Artist Song Points Place 1Jamie Stone"If I Give My Love" 19 2 2Dickie Rock"I Can't Go On Without You" 8 6 3Sunshine"Look Before You Leap" 0 8 4D. J. Curtin"You Cannot Stop The Music" 5 7 5The Swarbriggs Plus Two"It's Nice To Be In Love Again" 25 1 6Denis Allen"Da-Dum Da-Dum, I Love You So" 12 5 7Colm C. T. Wilkinson"There Was A Dream" 18 3 8Chips"Goodbye, Goodbye" 13 4 + Detailed Regional Jury Votes Song Total1"If I Give My Love"1 251 2215192"I Can't Go On Without You"1 2 2 3 83"Look Before You Leap" 04"You Cannot Stop The Music" 2 3 55"It's Nice To Be In Love Again"3 1 712164256"Da-Dum Da-Dum, I Love You So"1 2223 1 1127"There Was A Dream"4313 61 188"Goodbye, Goodbye" 52 4 2 13
At Eurovision On the night of the final the group performed first in the running order, preceding . At the close of voting "It's Nice to Be in Love Again" had picked up 119 points, placing Ireland third of the 18 entries. The song had gained four maximum 12s – from , , and the United Kingdom. The Irish jury awarded its 12 points to Finland.
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