On the 12th of May, Lisbon will be hosting the 63rd Eurovision Song Contest with Ryan O'Shaughnessy hoping to go the distance for Ireland. Dare we hope he could bring back the country's first win in 22 years? At this stage though, we're happy with getting into the final after five years of just missing out on it.
That was not the case back in the nineties however as we had Eurovision wins coming out of our you-know-wheres and it seemed Ireland had finally found something we were good at. Italia '90 it wasn't but when Ireland secured win after win - becoming (the still unbeaten) most successful country in the contest - it was hard not to join in on the sheer elation on the streets. We even produced 'Riverdance' in all our excitement.
In this special Eurovision series for entertainment.ie, we will be chatting to those singers who managed to bring home the gold for Ireland, and find out just what it really means to win the longest-running annual international TV song competition. Looking at how the competition has changed over the years and previous winners' thoughts on Ireland's chances this year.
Next up is, Eimear Quinn, who has the honour of being the last Irish winner we had in the competition. Dubliner Eimear wowed the crowd in the Oslo Spektrum in Norway in 1996 with her spine-tingling Celtic song The Voice, which was written by Brendan Graham, who (fun-fact time) had also written and composed Rock 'N' Roll Kids, the Irish winner from the 1994 Contest.
Since her win, Eimear has continued working in the music industry touring and releasing albums and has been bestowed such honours as performing for Queen Elizabeth during her State Visit to Ireland in 2011 as well as in the Royal Albert Hall in 2014 to celebrate the state visit of Irish President Michael D Higgins to the UK.
Like our other winners, Eimear has fond memories of her time in the Eurovision.
A basic one to start, but what did it feel like to win?
I felt elated, overwhelmed, and mostly Immensely proud to have achieved something under the Irish flag.
The Voice is to this day one of the more unique Eurovision songs, do you think it would win today?
I have not a single doubt that it would win again. The song has its own mysterious energy, that builds and builds as it's being sung. To this day, it never ceases to thrill me as I sing it, and the audience comes along for the ride. I've yet to sing it without the audience standing in appreciation afterwards. It's actually very moving, I don't know if it's because it refers to our past and our history, but to me it's the perfect song. I love it!
How do you feel about the Eurovision and winning when you look back at it now?
I actually still can't believe that I won it, it's still slightly surreal. To look back on it, it's like a dream that I am immensely grateful for.
What impact did the win have on your life and career?
It's actually changed my trajectory altogether. I was on a path of entirely classical music, and this opened up a whole other world of musical possibilities. And I met my husband!
Who is your favourite Eurovision winner of all time (doesn't have to be an Irish winner)?
It has to be Poupée de Cire sung by France Gall in 1965. I adore her voice and how it's slightly off key in that French style, so of it's time.
What do you think of Ireland's chances this year?
Excellent! Such a pretty song. Come on!!
The Eurovision Contest takes place this Saturday, May 12th in Lisbon.
Ireland's Eurovision Winners: We chat to Niamh Kavanagh
Ireland's Eurovision Winners: We chat to Linda Martin
Ireland's Eurovision Winners: We chat to Charlie McGettigan and Paul Harrington
