Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 with the song "Mysterious Woman", written by John Farry, and performed by Marc Roberts. The Irish participating broadcaster, (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final. In addition, RTÉ was also the host broadcaster for the fourth time in five years and staged the event at the Point Theatre in Dublin, for the third time in four years, after winning the with the song "The Voice" by Eimear Quinn.
Before Eurovision Eurosong '97 '97 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. The 3rd edition of took place on 22 November 1996. The running order and some of the results of '97 are unknown.
Artist Song Songwriter(s) Place Aidan Coleman "Slán go fóill" Aidan Coleman, Pádraig Mac Fhearghusa — Ann Marie Nic Dhonnchadha "An t-earrach" Pádraig Ó Conghaile, Ann Marie Nic Dhonnchadha — Art Ó Dufaigh "Gairm na seirce" Art Ó Dufaigh — Barry Ronan "Cailín álainn" P.J. Flaherty, Eugene Killeen — Evelyn Curry "Carnán cloch" Cathal Ó Catháin, Evelyn Curry — Helen Uí Dhunáird "Uaigneas" Seán Ó Coistealbha, Helen Uí Dhunáird, Jane Simmons, Steven Simmons1 Mícheál Ó hAllmhúráin "Tógaigí sos" Siobhán Ní Mhurchú, Mícheál Ó hAllmhúráin — Nioclás Breathnach "Saol búca" Nioclás Breathnach — Seán Monaghan "Cáwockatú" Seán Monaghan, Danny Monaghan, Maoilre de Búrca 2 Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin "Seo an talamh" Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin —
Final
RTÉ held Eurosong '97 on 9 March 1997 at the Institute of Technology in Waterford, hosted by Pat Kenny. Eight entries competed in the final and the winner, "Mysterious Woman" performed by Marc Roberts, was determined by the votes of ten regional juries.
+ Final – 9 March 1997 Artist Song Songwriter(s) Points Place 1 Tommy Quinn "Good Life" Teresa Keogh 59 5 2 Miranda "I Am Here" Jim Walsh 48 7 3 Darren Holden "Suddenly" Darren Holden 91 2 4 Michelle Costelloe "Never Far Away" Michelle Costelloe 45 8 5 Helen Uí Dhúnaird "Uaigneas" Seán Ó Coisdealbha, Helen Uí Dhunáird, Jane Simmons, Steven Simmons 54 6 6 Gary O'Shaughnessy "Love and Understanding" Michael Heffernan, Kevin Smith 87 3 7 Maggie Toal "My Love" Tony Adams-Rosa 67 4 8 Marc Roberts "Mysterious Woman" John Farry 99 1 + 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 "Good Life" 6 4 7 6 6 8 6 8 5 3 59 2 "I Am Here" 5 3 5 8 3 3 3 5 3 10 48 3 "Suddenly" 10 8 10 12 7 6 10 4 12 12 91 4 "Never Far Away" 3 5 3 4 5 4 4 6 4 7 45 5 "Uaigneas" 4 7 4 3 4 10 5 3 6 8 54 6 "Love and Understanding" 8 10 8 10 8 12 7 10 10 4 87 7 "My Love" 7 6 6 5 10 5 8 7 8 5 67 8 "Mysterious Woman" 12 12 12 7 12 7 12 12 7 6 99
At Eurovision Roberts performed 5th in the running order on the night of the contest. "Mysterious Woman" went on to be placed 2nd with 157 points. To date, this was the last time that the Irish entry placed in the top five.
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