Ireland

Of all participating countries, Ireland has won the Eurovision Song Contest more than any other. Seven times to be exact, of which three on consecutive years:

1992: Linda Martin with Why me
1993: Niamh Kavanagh with In your eyes
1994: Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan with  Rock 'n' roll kids
And then, after breaking their streak in 1995, Ireland won again in 1996 with Eimear Quinn and The voice.

The first win came in 1970 from the lovely Dana and her equally sweet  All kinds of everything. Ireland is also the only country with a two-time winner: Johnny Logan won in 1980 (with What's another year) and again in 1987 (with Hold me now). Additionally, there have been four Irish runner ups, so it’s not surprising that Ireland also ranks highly on our alternative ranking list, which is worked out by percentages.

Although Ireland belongs to the group of ‘traditional Eurovision participants’, they first entered the competition in 1965. In recent years, the Irish haven’t been doing as well:  only once in the past five year did they manage to qualify for the Grand Final.

(T: Rebecca Hebden)