Ireland qualified for the Eurovision final last night - here are the best reactions

For the first time in five years, Ireland will have someone to cheer for in Eurovision after we got through last night's semi-final in Lisbon.

Now, Ryan O'Shaughnessy will take his song 'Together' to Saturday's grand final, where he will attempt to further restore some of our national dignity in the competition by winning the damned thing.

People on Twitter were delighted that we didn't fall at the first hurdle yet again - and many praised the LGBT-positive message that the staging provided.

The moment Ireland qualified #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/9sDI6a1fBN

— BBC EurovisionðŸ‡¬ðŸ‡§ (@bbceurovision) May 8, 2018

Ireland rising from the ashes after 4 years of not making the final ðŸ™ŒðŸÂ?»#Eurovision #irl pic.twitter.com/67qNOdrlQf

— Rach Leahy ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡º (@RachLeahy) May 8, 2018

THIS MAN NEARLY HAS A HEART ATTACK WHEN IRELAND GETS THROUGH TO THE EUROVISION FINAL! ðŸ˜‚ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡ªðŸ˜‚ Video Credit: RTÉ's Derek Mooney! pic.twitter.com/eIeVLKXXF3

— Colm Flynn (@ColmFlynn1) May 8, 2018

YES IRELAND IS GIVING THE GAYS WHAT THEY WANT #Eurovision ðŸÂ?³ï¸Â?‍ðŸŒˆðŸÂ?³ï¸Â?‍ðŸŒˆðŸÂ?³ï¸Â?‍ðŸŒˆ pic.twitter.com/1LMDxIsJOT

— love, paola (@aintitphan) May 8, 2018

Ireland: "Ok, we have a white guy with a high pitch and an acoustic guitar."
Europe: ðŸ˜'
Ireland: "We also have two gay dancers"
Europe:#Eurovision pic.twitter.com/TxAzwHjmjy

— ÑÂ?Ð¾ss (@rossbrienO) May 8, 2018

• Bread Shortage
• Irish Heatwave
• Ireland Qualifies for #Eurovision

Reeling in the Years 2018 is going to be some episode.

— Justine Stafford (@JustineStafford) May 8, 2018

Me when Ireland was first released: Eugh, boring, another ballad, NQ.

Me now: YOU SAID WE'D BE TOGETHER 'TIL WE DIEEEEE.#Eurovision #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/s43SyDVfn5

— Lewis J 815 ðŸ‡¨ðŸ‡¿ðŸ‡³ðŸ‡´ðŸ‡ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡µðŸ‡± (@LJay815) May 4, 2018