Ireland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1969 in Madrid, Spain. The participating broadcaster,

RTÉ (RTÉ) (; Irish language, Irish for "Radio & Television of Ireland") is the Public broadcaster, national broadcaster of Republic of Ireland, Ireland headquartered in Dublin. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on RTÉ Television, telev ...

, selected the entrant through a national final, which was won by Muriel Day. Joined by the Lindsays, they finished 7th place with 10 points in the final on 29 March 1969.

Before Eurovision

National final

The Irish national final was held on Sunday 16 February 1969 from the RTÉ studios in Dublin and was broadcast on RTÉ Television, and hosted by Brendan O'Reilly. The winning song was decided by 10 regional juries throughout Ireland. Four of the performers had represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in the previous four years. Butch Moore was Ireland's first representative in

1965 Events January–February * January 14 – The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and the Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland meet for the first time in 43 years. * January 20 ** Lyndon B. Johnson is Second inauguration of Lyndo ...

, where he sang " I'm Walking the Streets in the Rain" and finished 6th in Naples. Dickie Rock represented Ireland in

1966 Events January * January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko. * January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo i ...

where he sang "

Come Back to Stay The Irish National Final was held on Tuesday 25 January 1966 by RTÉ TV in Dublin, Brendan O'Reilly was hosting the event. Before Eurovision National final At Eurovision Ireland started at placement 17th at the end of the start field and finish ...

" and finished 4th in Luxembourg. Sean Dunphy flew the Irish flag in Vienna in

1967 Events January * January 1 – Canada begins a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Confederation, featuring the Expo 67 World's Fair. * January 5 ** Spain and Romania sign an agreement in Paris, establishing full consular and ...

singing "

If I Could Choose The Irish National Final was held on 12 February 1967 by RTÉ TV in Dublin, Ireland. Before Eurovision National final The final was hosted by Brendan O'Reilly at the studios of RTÉ in Dublin. The winner was chosen by postcard voting. At Eu ...

", which was the runner-up to the UK's Sandie Shaw. And Pat McGeegan performed the Irish entry in

1968 The year was highlighted by protests and other unrests that occurred worldwide. Events January–February * January 5 – "Prague Spring": Alexander Dubček is chosen as leader of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. * Januar ...

at the

Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...

in London with the song " Chance of a Lifetime", which ended up in fourth place.

At Eurovision

Muriel Day and the Lindsays performed 5th at the beginning of the startfield and finished 7th with 10 points.

Voting

References

{{Eurovision Song Contest 1969

1969 This year is notable for Apollo 11's first landing on the moon. Events January * January 4 – The Government of Spain hands over Ifni to Morocco. * January 5 **Ariana Afghan Airlines Flight 701 crashes into a house on its approach to ...

Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 1969

Eurovision The Eurovision Song Contest (), sometimes abbreviated to ESC and often known simply as Eurovision, is an international songwriting competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), featuring participants representing pr ...