Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009

RTÉ confirmed on 28 October 2008 that Ireland would participate in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest.[3] Although a national final was planned to be held on 20 February 2009, the current financial situation in Ireland have made this impossible.[4][5] Therefore, it was rumoured that RTÉ were in the middle of talks with three-time former winner Johnny Logan, and in exchange for his own television show, Logan would return to Eurovision and represent Ireland in Moscow.[6][7] Logan had previously said that he would have represented Ireland at the 2007 contest, however a deal between Logan and RTÉ was not reached at that time.[8][9] Eoghan Quigg, who came third in the 2008 series of X Factor, has also stated that he would like to represent Ireland at Eurovision.[10]

Eurosong 2009 was the national final format developed by RTÉ in order to select Ireland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. The competition was broadcast as a special edition of The Late Late Show held on 20 February 2009 and hosted by Pat Kenny.[11][12][13]

Six artists and songs were selected to compete. A 50/50 combination of regional jury voting and public televoting determined the winner.[14][15]

Artists and composers were able to submit their entries for the competition between 18 December 2008 and 2 February 2009.[16] At the closing of the deadline, over 300 entries were received.[16][17] A jury panel reviewed all of the submissions and selected six songs for the competition. The panel consisted of Eurovision 1992 winner Linda Martin, director of Universal Music Ireland Mark Crossingham, agent and choreographer Julian Benson, RTÉ Radio 1 Eurovision commentator Larry Gogan and president of OGAE Ireland Diarmuid Furlong. The six finalists were revealed on 13 February 2009.[18] Among the finalists was "I Wish I Could Pretend" performed by Latvian singer Kristīna Zaharova, which was also selected for the 2009 Latvian national final. However the composers decided to withdraw the song from the Latvian final in favour for Eurosong 2009.[19][20] The six songs were presented on 21 February 2008 during the RTÉ Radio 1 programme The Derek Mooney Show.

The national final featured commentary from a panel that consisted of RTÉ One Eurovision commentator Marty Whelan, Linda Martin and American talk-show and talent show host Jerry Springer.[21] After the combination of votes from the four regional juries and the public televoting, "Et Cetera" performed by Sinéad Mulvey & Black Daisy was selected as the winner.[1][2]

Sinéad Mulvey and Black Daisy performing "Et Cetera" at the UKEurovision Preview Party
Photo by Tristán White.

It had not been planned by RTÉ to have a large promotional campaign of the Irish entry, due to budget constraints. However Sinéad and Black Daisy performed twice for an international audience; at the Eurovision Promo Concert in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 18 April,[22] and also at the UKEurovision Preview Party in London on 17 April.[23]

Before heading to Moscow, Sinéad and Black Daisy once again performed on The Late Late Show on 1 May.[24] RTÉ also broadcast the EBU "Eurovision: Countdown" preview shows before the week of the contest.[25]