Join the Irish Eurovision Fan Club for our Christmas Meetup, Friday December 8th from 8 till late in The Loft, Upstairs at The George – Dublin
Eurovision 2024 Ticket Ballot entries now open
An email has gone out to members about entering the ballot for ticket packages for Eurovision 2024. Entry to the ballot closes on Saturday November 4th. If you have not received the email please contact us directly for check the members section for more details.
We expect sale of the tickets to happen around the end of November.
Irish Eurovision Fan of the year 2023 results
Well done to all entrants in the inaugural Fan of the Year competition held by OGAE Ireland, there was some good entries!
There was an independent jury from the Australian club judge the entrants and all votes have been independently confirmed!
First place!
Iona! For her many many handmade quilted flags and indoctrinating her kid into Eurovision! Congratulations on being Ireland’s number one Eurovision fan for 2023! 🎉🎉🎉
You win an automatic first choice allocation for the Eurovision ticket package that the club may receive as well as some official merchandise! T&Cs apply
“I was supposed to go to Eurovision in 2020, but we all know how that went. Instead, I channelled my enthusiasm in to learning to quilt and embroider and I made bunting. It’s very difficult to photograph them all because there’s so many flags. I’m delighted nice easy-to-sew Luxembourg are back next year! Some of my personal favourites are San Marino and Moldova because I think they turned out well.
Also, a bonus picture* of my daughter in her Eurovision t-shirt, ensuring the flags become a family heirloom by indoctrination.”
*We’ve left out the kids photo, trust us, she’s adorable!
Second place!
Emma! Talking about her love of and journey to the Eurovision and the experience that was Liverpool!! 🥳
You win a selection of official Eurovision merchandise!
I had first heard about Eurovision when I was young. Every year I watched along with my
parents not really sure what it was but enjoying nonetheless. I didn’t realise growing up that many of the songs I had been listening to were in fact from the Eurovision. Little did I know that the older I grew, the more infected I’d become with Eurovision fever, and how that love would lead me to Liverpool in 2023. Every year friends and families would come over and watch the final together in celebration. We’d cook food from other countries and pull songs out of hats to pick someone to cheer for. There were silly costumes, questionable home cooking but most importantly a love for music. Only after Kalush Orchestra took the win for Ukraine did the thought occur to me. What if I went next year? A series of what if questions suddenly snowballed into careful research about tickets, hotels and flights.
On a very cold Monday night, I sat in my Irish class answering questions. When I got to my
turn, my teacher looked curiously at me as I excitedly exclaimed that my summer plans
weren’t jetting off to Amdarstown or Spain like my college peers; they were actually to
England for the Eurovision Song Contest. Despite having no tickets, flights, or hotel booked, I was determined that I would be in the arena. For months, I had been carefully researching ticket release dates and bopping profusely to Eurovision songs to manifest tickets. For months, I had sped along in my car, singing along, pretending I knew the lyrics to this year’s songs.
Finally, it was the day of ticket sales. I had a study room booked in the college library and a
Ticketmaster account ready to go. I joined the queue and nervously awaited as the tickets
flew out. I anxiously waited for a few minutes before I excitedly told my friend over the phone that the numbers on my screen were dropping. I watched in disbelief as the numbers steadily dropped: 2000, 1000, 750, 500… And suddenly, before I knew it, the only thing between me and the song contest was one other person. I left the library (broke), but so high up I couldn’t even see cloud nine. The manifestations and several watches of the Eurovision movie asking the elves for good luck had paid off. And in the next few months, excitement would build, hotels would be booked, and the sparkliest of outfits would be planned. And any poor fool who would listen to me would know I was going to the Eurovision Song Contest.
The night before our birthdays was Christmas in my eyes. At ten o’clock the next day, I
grabbed my bag, collected my friend, and set off on what would become my biggest
adventure. Landing in Liverpool, there was something in the air. Over half a million people
were coming together to be united by music. New connections were made through the
simple question, “Are you here for Eurovision?”., “this country was robbed” and “a sure we
might qualify next year”.After exploring Liverpool (and sampling the local beverages), we headed to the M&S Bank
Arena. Seeing the bright pink lights for the first time filled my heart with joy. Before I knew it, the concert began, and I danced and sang my little heart out. The energy in the arena was electric, as fans from all over the world cheered and sang along to their favourite Eurovision songs. The atmosphere was contagious, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging among this diverse and passionate crowd. It was a night filled with unforgettable
performances and shared moments of pure excitement, making it an experience I will
cherish forever. Seeing the artists in the green room during the voting was something
special. Watching them cheer and celebrate after being sent through to the live final We
hoped for our favourite artists as the qualification spaces got lower, with me cheering for
Slovenia and my friend for Denmark.
Even now the night of the semi final two plays in my head like a movie. I feel so incredibly
lucky to have gone and I’d give anything to relive that night. When I think about why I love
Eurovision, one main reason emerges. It’s because it brings people together. In that area
there were so many people all from different walks of life. And all of those people came
together for a music competition that meant something to them. It’s so empowering to see
the impact that this contest has on people. There are songs that empower women and
encourage self- confidence like ‘Queen of kings’ or songs about love like the iconic ‘fairytale’ by Alexander Rybak. But no matter what the songs are about there’s such a cathartic response and connection to each other. All of the songs present us with a story and those stories are how we connect with each other regardless of if we understand the lyrics.
At first I had thought I’d only go to Eurovision because it was so close, but now I don’t think that’s true. In Liverpool I had met a man who told me that he’d been to twenty seven
Eurovisions and suddenly I had a new life goal. Now I think despite my rampant fear of
spiders I’d even go all the way to Australia for Eurovision. I hope this essay is enjoyed as
much as I enjoyed the Eurovision and hopefully I’ll see you in Sweden!
Third place!
Micheál! For his journey of 25,000 km to visit the last few Eurovision contests and the unusual things that happened on the way! 🎊
You win a selection of official Eurovision merchandise!
I have travelled 25,000 miles to attend Eurovision over the past six years and endured the wrath of Reddit and Judy Murray!
I’ll be in touch in the next day about your prizes! Stay tuned for more competitions throughout the year, and start thinking about your entry for 2024!
Last few days to enter for Eurosong 2024
The last push is on to get your song in for Eurosong 2024 and be in with a chance to represent Ireland at the Eurovision in Malmo 2024.
Have you contacted your favorite band or singer yet? Reach out to them before it is too late and get them to submit an entry.
The closing date for submissions is 6pm on Friday 20th of October 2023. All applicants have to submit through RTE https://www.rte.ie/tv/programmes/1247211-submit-your-entry-to-the-eurovision-song-contest-2024/
EuroBash Cork
Upstairs in the Oyster Tavern, Cork City
November 18th, 8pm till late – Admission Free and the first 40 entrants get a free drink!
Followed on Sunday by
Drag Eurovision Brunch Sun, 19 Nov 2023 12:00 – 14:00 GMT
You can get your tickets to Eurovision Drag Brunch here
You can see the menu here
Access only €10/ Access, set menu, and bottomless €55 in BIO/Eventbrite for our last drag brunch in the Oyster
Join our MC Lucina Schynning with special guests @queenmagentafox and singing live @angel_the_queen_x Dj Mia Poland will be in the decks until 2PM for the brunch. Book now, limited space.
EUROBASH DUBLIN
⏰ 9PM – 2.30AM
📆 Friday, October 27th
📍 The Bourbon Bar @ The Odeon, D2
🎃 Eurovision Fancy Dress Edition
Dance to over 5 hours of Eurovision hits!
GO_A Live in Dublin
Selective Memory presents
GO_A
Opium, Dublin | IRISH DEBUT
December 3rd. Doors 8pm
Tickets €24.50 + bk fee
Get ready for a musical experience like no other as Ukraine’s electrifying folk-electronic sensation, GO_A, makes their debut appearance in Ireland this October! With their unique blend of ancient Ukrainian folk traditions and cutting-edge electronic beats, GO_A has taken the global music scene by storm, earning widespread acclaim for their innovative sound.
You can get tickets here: https://events.ticketbooth.eu/event/go_a23
Vote for the Ogae Song Contest 2023
Voting closes Saturday 21st of October 2023
In 1986, five OGAE clubs came together to showcase a new song from each of their respective countries. This little contest to pass time after the main Eurovision Song Contest became what is now known as the OGAE Song Contest, one of the most respected Eurovision-style contests aside from the show itself, which aims to promote and celebrate new music from a wide variety of countries, cultures and genres.
This year, we have 31 entries from across Europe and elsewhere vying for the title, and we are excited to share with you the entries. It is being hosted by our sister club OGAE Australia.
Give a shout out to Doozy the mascot!
Niall Horan is representing Ireland this year.
You can view all entries here https://ogaeaustralia.com/ogae-song-contest-2023
There’s a Youtube playlist as well
And when you are ready to vote, head on over to https://s.surveyplanet.com/aqlx8yuv and submit your vote – Please vote otherwise poor Doozy will be very upset
New Petition Urges RTÉ to ‘Recommit to Eurovision’ and Fans
This article was written by OGAE Ireland members Ryan Cunningham and Joe Cronin who are behind the Ireland’s Eurosong Future petition
As Irish Eurovision fans, PED (Post-Eurovision Depression) isn’t the only thing we face after a season ends… there’s also the overwhelming sense of dread, and feeling that there’s no way Ireland could ever return to its glory days, all things remaining the same.
Not only this, but we’re also exposed to both extremes of perspectives in the media and amongst the public on social media. It ranges from feelings that Ireland was ‘robbed’, that voting is nothing but ‘political’ and that Europe has an axe to grind with us; to turning on the very artists that put months of hard work into representing us. Then there’s us, in the middle, knowing that none of these views are going to make anything better.
Frustrated by years of this cycle repeating itself, where our 10-year performance streak now comprises just two qualifications across ten contests, and little innovation or reflection appears to be happening to do much in the way of changing this poor streak, Ireland’s Eurosong Future was created with the intention to unite Irish fans that want more from our national broadcaster when it comes to Eurovision.
Our core objective is to implore RTÉ, Ireland’s delegation broadcaster, to hold a public consultation period for interested parties (i.e. fans, songwriters, performers etc.) to submit their own perspectives and suggestions when it comes to all things that relate to Ireland at Eurovision. Since our petition was started in May 2023, we have amassed a very significant 1,100+ signatures to date, and this keeps growing.
We are extremely confident that Ireland is far from a lost cause in the contest. From a Eurovision standpoint, we share the title of the most wins (7) with just one other country (Sweden); we’ve won the contest a staggering three times in a row; and again, with Sweden (Loreen) we have a two-time Eurovision winner in Johnny Logan, who also wrote Linda Martin’s winning song. Outside of the contest, Ireland is home to some of the world’s greatest musicians with an extremely talented, and increasingly diverse, music scene.
Sadly, while Ireland is a very musical nation, there are a number of issues that occur, before, during and after the national selection process, and systemic issues with the broadcaster’s handling of Eurovision overall.
For one, we recognise that the internal Eurovision resource at RTÉ is effectively made up of one person who is not afforded the time or additional resources to give it the attention that it duly deserves, due to his other roles and responsibilities stretching him thin. All the while, many other participating countries afford either more time, or more heads, to their delegations.
There is a lack of adequate strategy and planning in our process (likely due to inadequate resourcing and budgeting from RTÉ) and, as the saying goes, if you keep doing things as you have always done them, you will always have the very same outcome.
To see change, we need to make change.
Ireland’s Head of Delegation, Michael Kealy, was quoted saying “I think everything should be on the table to have a look at, absolutely” after our non-qualification in Liverpool this May, so we know there is a desire to explore solutions and devices for change. Now it’s time for RTÉ to carry through on this, and engage with us fans, whose perspectives are extremely valuable.
We know, from various polls that we have run with our Instagram followerbase that confidence in RTÉ’s ability to bring about Eurovision success is very low, with just 13% believing the broadcaster can deliver Eurovision success. Furthermore, just 9% believe that the Irish delegation engages with Irish fans to a satisfactory level.
Some other poll data includes the following:
- 9 in 10 believe that the Late Late Show is unsuited to hosting our national selection
- 5% are proud of our national selection compared to that of other countries
- 9 in 10 do not believe the song submission period is adequately promoted
- 70% do not think that artists consider representing Ireland at Eurovision to be an attractive thought
There is a common notion that RTÉ’s attitude to Eurovision is not dissimilar to how it is portrayed in a very famous Father Ted episode. Our recent track record at Eurovision does not do much in the way of challenging this notion. With this in mind, we need RTÉ to recommit to Eurovision, and that starts by giving fans and musicians a platform to express their views.
We want to focus on our shared goals with RTÉ, strengthening the link between the broadcaster and Irish fans of the contest through a solutions-oriented dialogue.
At the beginning of the month, we reached out to relevant executives within RTÉ, comprising both the delegation, and more senior officials that we would be consider to be ‘decision-makers’, and urged them to consider this. As of yet we await a response from RTÉ, but are hopeful that the broadcaster will accept this opportunity to better engage fans and musicians, and to reassure the public that Eurovision is in good hands with RTÉ.
We would like to thank OGAE Ireland for providing us with this platform to share our campaign.
Cork Pride
It was a great honor to march in Cork Pride representing all our colours. This is the first of many public appearance the club will be present at going forward.
