Eurovision Uberthread

[Spudulika]

According to a colleague of mine in Germany (a German based NL fan can confirm this) but Lena is going to sing again next year for Germany! It was a smooth move to get an emo-pop-Brit-Yank type to sing a quirky Lily Allen punk song. It was a great performance from her. The Russian girl who sang for Armenia lost alot of East European votes because she looked too well. While the Azeri favourite just flopped on the night. Next year in Germany will be good, I'm considering paying it a visit. I was at Moscow last year and the buzz was amazing. The funniest part of all (in a darky comic way) was a gay pride march getting battered into oblivion by OMON officers (OMON in Russian script is OMOH, there's quite a good laugh to be had when you see a reflection in a shop front).

[mypost]

A somewhat bizzare statement. I don't doubt that some of the countries you seem to be referring to (we're Europeans too btw) put everything into it -too much some would say. But I'm not sure where they "get the rewards" you speak of. Only Ireland, Sweden and Norway have won the thing more than once in the last two decades. That fairly even spread of winners means all these other countries, including the one-time winners, who bust a gut for it every year actually have very little to show for it relative to their outlay.

Eurovision is one of the rare chances some of the Eastern countries get to get noticed. If they win, they get a huge boost in general interest and tourism the following year.

Of course, if you don't put the effort in as we generally don't, and treat it as a joke, you'll be the ones that end up getting laughed at instead.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Y'see I don't buy this. I know of absolutley no country that got a tourism bounce as a result of winning Eurovision. Having won 3 years straight -we should've have had a measurable mid-90's peak if such a bounce existed. I know the event itself creates a flurry of economic activity in and around the host town as opposed to host country but that's about the size of it.

Also, and I'm just curious, when approximately do you think RTE and whoever else is involved in the thing here stopped putting the effort in? Do they put less in now than when Ireland was winning it four years in five? Or has the nature of the show changed so uttlerly that it's just not possible to justify the outlay needed when the dividend is so intangible? I mean -back in the "good old days" of Irish dominance it could've bankrupted RTE. They weren't rolling in cash over it for sure.

[mypost]

Y'see I don't buy this. I know of absolutley no country that got a tourism bounce as a result of winning Eurovision. Having won 3 years straight -we should've have had a measurable mid-90's peak if such a bounce existed. I know the event itself creates a flurry of economic activity in and around the host town as opposed to host country but that's about the size of it.

Also, and I'm just curious, when approximately do you think RTE and whoever else is involved in the thing here stopped putting the effort in? Do they put less in now than when Ireland was winning it four years in five? Or has the nature of the show changed so uttlerly that it's just not possible to justify the outlay needed when the dividend is so intangible? I mean -back in the "good old days" of Irish dominance it could've bankrupted RTE. They weren't rolling in cash over it for sure.

You only have to look at Millstreet to see how Eurovision reflects on it. It is world-famous because of one thing and one thing only, it hosted Eurovision.

RTE put in some effort a couple of years ago. Now it's amateur hour again. The process to select the representative is held on one night on a talk show, not remotely like the massive stage used in the event itself. The pre-promotion of the songs consists of a broadcast on an afternoon radio show the day before, while the performers get one day to rehearse their performance.

Unlike us, very very few other countries use panellists views after their performances during the selection process. Most leave the viewers to make up their own minds instead. Kavanagh's song was lauded and practically driven over the line by RTE's panel, before a vote was cast for it last March. I for one, didn't like it, and feared it would get lost in a sea of ballads. European voters agreed.

Once it's chosen, little promotion work is done, sometimes not even a video is shot for it. The stage at the event is usually bare, the choreography is a shambles at best, if there is any, and the performer is usually poorly dressed. All minnowism, and the results reflect it on the night. That's all RTE's responsibility. It looks a joke, because it's treated as a joke.

As regards the outlay, it's the same as everything else. If you try, you might get something. If you don't try, you get nothing. Germany, Denmark, and Belgium finished in the top 5 this year, so RTE can't blame the usual Eastern bloc-voting excuse for the result this time.

[Lionel Ritchie]

You only have to look at Millstreet to see how Eurovision reflects on it. It is world-famous because of one thing and one thing only, it hosted Eurovision..
World Famous where now? When Millstreet is Googled - "Millstreet Recycling Center" is offered as an auto-complete ahead of the Arena. ...and check out their state of the art website
http://www.millstreet.ie/green%20glens/greenglens.htm


RTE put in some effort a couple of years ago. Now it's amateur hour again. The process to select the representative is held on one night on a talk show, not remotely like the massive stage used in the event itself. The pre-promotion of the songs consists of a broadcast on an afternoon radio show the day before, while the performers get one day to rehearse their performance. So you'd like Song For Europe or the National Song Contest back? I'm pretty sure they got rid of that or decided to give it a piggy-back on the Late Late due to lack of interest/low viewership ...and in the current era where half the broadcast output is a lack-of-Talent Show of one form or another then the National Song Contest -which essentially surrendered the airwaves to showband refugees and uppity wedding singers, would die on it's hole.


Unlike us, very very few other countries use panellists views after their performances during the selection process. Most leave the viewers to make up their own minds instead. Kavanagh's song was lauded and practically driven over the line by RTE's panel, before a vote was cast for it last March. I for one, didn't like it, and feared it would get lost in a sea of ballads. European voters agreed. Again that just "reduces it" to yet another version of Irelands Got Fame the Musical. Every Tidy Towns committ-ee out there will row in behind their local prize pig regardless of ability or hope. There'll be posters, flyers and ads everywhere. Equity will be released by doting parents to fund the shot of some delusional spoilt brats that this is their big chance. It's been tried before and Ireland sent the milky bar kid and his mutant sister -and on another occasion cantankerous fifth-columnists of my ilk voted for Dustin to torpedo it below the waterline before it got out of port.


Once it's chosen, little promotion work is done, sometimes not even a video is shot for it. The stage at the event is usually bare, the choreography is a shambles at best, if there is any, and the performer is usually poorly dressed. All minnowism, and the results reflect it on the night. That's all RTE's responsibility. It looks a joke, because it's treated as a joke. Videos cost a fortune -and again it's down to what return can reasonably be expected. Eurovision WINNING songs often don't sell well. Non-winning songs are tatty bread by sundown on the night of the competition.


As regards the outlay, it's the same as everything else. If you try, you might get something. If you don't try, you get nothing. Germany, Denmark, and Belgium finished in the top 5 this year, so RTE can't blame the usual Eastern bloc-voting excuse for the result this time. But there's no runners-up medals. I dunno what Denmark or Belgium spent -but it's dead rubber. No one but fetishists will pat them on the back for a top 5 finish. They lost.

[Wolfie]

I think we should send Dustin again next year - treat this farce with the contempt it deserves.

Consider it a final Harrrrumph, as we exit stage left, finally removing ourselves from this pantomime of a pathetic collection of zany Krauts, feudal headbangers and Marty Whelan.

[bennocelt]

Was at a comedy gig last monday and the Eurovision was reffered to as the Special Olympics of Singing, which sounds about right to me

[mypost]

So you'd like Song For Europe or the National Song Contest back? I'm pretty sure they got rid of that or decided to give it a piggy-back on the Late Late due to lack of interest/low viewership ...and in the current era where half the broadcast output is a lack-of-Talent Show of one form or another then the National Song Contest -which essentially surrendered the airwaves to showband refugees and uppity wedding singers, would die on it's hole.

Again that just "reduces it" to yet another version of Irelands Got Fame the Musical. Every Tidy Towns committ-ee out there will row in behind their local prize pig regardless of ability or hope. There'll be posters, flyers and ads everywhere. Equity will be released by doting parents to fund the shot of some delusional spoilt brats that this is their big chance. It's been tried before and Ireland sent the milky bar kid and his mutant sister -and on another occasion cantankerous fifth-columnists of my ilk voted for Dustin to torpedo it below the waterline before it got out of port.

Videos cost a fortune -and again it's down to what return can reasonably be expected. Eurovision WINNING songs often don't sell well. Non-winning songs are tatty bread by sundown on the night of the competition.

Satellite which won this year, went straight to No. 1 in Germany upon it's release. Since then, it's gone triple-gold. The winner came from a talent show.

For the first time in years, the Germans took it seriously, promoted their singer and song, produced a video, waltzed direct into the final, put on a good show for the crowd, and walked home with the prize.

With "jokes" like in the above post, you see the attitude why we came 3rd from last place.

[SkStu]

theres only one solution for this national shame.

Get J-Lo back.

[mypost]

In the second semi-final, Ireland got 43 points by televoting and 84 from the juries. The combined 13th and 6th place rankings, got us 9th spot so without the juries, we would have gone home early again.

In the final, we got 15 points from the televoters, putting us in 24th position. 62 jury points meant we were 16th best in their eyes, but not enough to drag us higher than 23rd place overall.

In contrast, with a single performance, Germany swept the boards to claim the victory, while the Brits got the sweeping brush, finishing last in both scoring systems.

So Pete Waterman won't be on their judging panel next year.

http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/15973

[Lionel Ritchie]

Don't know why I thought of this today but we're about half way between the last one and the next. Damn -this young wans been choppin' wood in her first 6 months as queen of Eurovision ...no. 26 in Austria!
Quite a career launcher this Eurovision malarkey. Must be why she's going back for another try next spring. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lena_Meyer-Landrut

[mypost]

She's also been No. 1 in 6 countries. With an English-language song, that got to No. 2 in Austria.

[Lionel Ritchie]

She's also been No. 1 in 6 countries. With an English-language song, that got to No. 2 in Austria.

...six months ago. The follow up stalled at 26 in Austria, somewhere in the teens in her native Germany and they don't appear to have even bothered releasing it in 5 of the six countries she topped the charts in -or anywhere else for that matter. Impressive no?

Sorry punctuated that badly ...Impressive? No.

[BonnieShels]

Was at a comedy gig last monday and the Eurovision was reffered to as the Special Olympics of Singing, which sounds about right to me

But everyone doesn't get a medal in the Eurovision.

[mypost]

...six months ago. The follow up stalled at 26 in Austria

So?

The fact the first song reached No. 1 in so many countries, shows the broad appeal it has. She will defend her title in Dusseldorf in May.

[Lionel Ritchie]

So?

The fact the first song reached No. 1 in so many countries, shows the broad appeal it has. She will defend her title in Dusseldorf in May.

So this amazing career launcher has once again given someone a career that's dead in the water before all the leaves are brown. The only people who go at Eurovision a second time are those who are down to their last card. She wouldn't be touching it with a bargepole otherwise.

[Wolfie]

There is so much inherently wrong with this annual farce of a competition that I wouldn't know where to begin.

Its certainly well beyond taking seriously, that's for sure.

[mypost]

So this amazing career launcher has once again given someone a career that's dead in the water before all the leaves are brown. The only people who go at Eurovision a second time are those who are down to their last card. She wouldn't be touching it with a bargepole otherwise.

Don't agree with any of the above. Two of our previous winners won at their second attempt. Another one had another go this year. Greece's last winner won it at their second attempt as well.

All artists get a low chart ranking at some point. Even the most successful.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Don't agree with any of the above. Two of our previous winners won at their second attempt. Another one had another go this year. Greece's last winner won it at their second attempt as well.

All artists get a low chart ranking at some point. Even the most successful. Wwwhaaaa?? it's not like she took a few years off to go back to college, see the world and start a family -It's her second single! The follow up to her all conquering Eurovision success and surely basking in the warm afterglow thereof.

As for previous winners from Ireland who went back -Logan was dropping his pants for spare change by the time 1987 rolled around. Linda Martin was back doing wedding gigs and Niamh Kavanagh was back behind the counter in the bank a long, long time ago -possibly needing time off on the first anniversary of her win.

[sligoman]

Jedward will be representing Ireland in this years Eurovision qualifiers, perfect Mickey Mouse act for Mickey Mouse show :D

The song:
waxWve1ddWo

[Magicme]

Cringe cringe cringe.

[strangeirish]

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo245/nobodysstar/Gifs/EpicFacePalm.gif

[paudie]

Better than Dustin is the only good thing you could say about that.

[SwanVsDalton]

Maybe I've been drinking a little too much, but I thought that was pretty funny. Well the first 30 seconds anyway, couldn't hack the rest...

[bennocelt]

Maybe I've been drinking a little too much, but I thought that was pretty funny. Well the first 30 seconds anyway, couldn't hack the rest...

Likewise, but thats the kind of crap that might do well in the Eurovision - obvious nod to Euro Disco in it

[mypost]

Oh it's crap alright, sending that rubbish to Eurovision. About the song instead, it would sound alright with competent artists, such as the female type singer it was originally written for.

Act should have been disqualified for the song leaking out well before everyone else had their chance to be heard. Instead RTE changed the voting to 33% public, 67% jury. You wouldn't expect juries to score that act well, but this is RTE, and generally whatever they want in Eurovision, goes for our entry.

If they get second last in the semi final, it'll be an achievement. No hope.

[Magicme]

I thought they are the perfect people to send. It's just the song was one of the worst I have ever heard.

[Neish]

Why do people get so worked up about this? The Eurovision(in the most part) and especially in the last 10 -15 years is nothing but a string of similar sounding manufactured pop acts, all is service to do is fill the pockets of some record company executive (i.e. Louie Walsh) whose use it to launch or re-launch lagging carers Up till 15 - 20 years ago it had a bit of credit as alot of the song in someway were a reflection of the countries traditional/folk musical styling but all it is 95% pop sh*t.

Also thinks it really funny the way everyone behind Ireland’s entry say that sending dustin the turkey made a mockery of the contest yet Jededward is perfectly acceptable.

Is the cost of holding this still covered by the tax payers because who really wants extra tax in the current economic climate

[horton]

I've not really been paying attention to this thread, so apologies if this has already been discussed(I'm not reading 37 pages to check!) but why are some people getting worked up about the damn thing? The contest has always been a farce, and self righteous numpties(yes I'm looking at you Terry Wogan!) complaining about political voting need to look at it's history. The reason why Ireland/UK/France have won it so much is because we've given each other top marks every year! With an expansion in participating countries, our little pact lost dominance, thus by putting forward rubbish acts, we can claim that it's to make a mockery of the competition, a competition which arguably was never really about the singing, just who had the most mates in Europe! Well anyway, that's my 2 cents on it.

[dochara]

I heard Jedward's effort on radio today for the first time and I would swear that it's someone else singing.

The voices don't sound remotely like the squeaks on The Late Late Show. I wonder . . . . ?

[mypost]

Why do people get so worked up about this? The Eurovision(in the most part) and especially in the last 10 -15 years is nothing but a string of similar sounding manufactured pop acts, all is service to do is fill the pockets of some record company executive (i.e. Louie Walsh) whose use it to launch or re-launch lagging carers Up till 15 - 20 years ago it had a bit of credit as alot of the song in someway were a reflection of the countries traditional/folk musical styling but all it is 95% pop sh*t.

And what's wrong with pop? People want upbeat, lively fun music in the contest, not the funerally flat ballad crap we've sent most of our contestants. Eurovision is I say again, a 100% live, no cover song contest. If you can hack it, you can hack it, if you can't, you're hung out to dry in front of several hundred million people. It's a cruel judge.

The good news this year: We've sent a pop song. The bad news: The performers can't sing, can't dance, and can't perform. So we're kind of screwed anyway.

[mypost]

With most delegations already in Dusseldorf, conducting rehearsals, holding press conferences, and doing promo work, our rehearsals are Wednesday, Sunday, and Wednesday/Thursday.

First rehearsal for us today, cost-conscious RTE arrived only yesterday, and will be delighted to be among the last delegations to arrive, as the song is the last song of the second semi-final.

Among the other competitors this year, Dana International is back again, Slovakia has it's own (and much better-looking) twins competing, the winner from last year Lena Landrut is back to sing again, Italy return to the contest with a direct pass to the final, and the Brits can't vote for us in the semi-final. Still, with no pan-European promotion, RTE hope that the viewing public from Poland to Portugal, and Iceland to Azerbaijan remember our song long enough on the night to wrestle a vote out of them.

But at least last year's winner, Lena, likes them.

[Lionel Ritchie]

.... the winner from last year Lena Landrut is back to sing again ....
But at least last year's winner, Lena, likes them. I'm just glad she turned up safe and well. I thought that Cold Case crowd were still investigating her disappearance.

[culloty82]

Probably says a lot for the songs this year that Armenia is comfortably the best so far, most of the hotly-tipped songs are competing Thursday.

[mypost]

Another signal that the jury vote works, is seeing Iceland and Switzerland qualify, and Armenia and Turkey sent home. The last two were perennial qualifiers without the juries.

The weirdos are on last on Thursday night, and with the UK unable to vote for them, I reckon we've got Dustin II episode on the cards.

[culloty82]

I'm not so sure - this site (http://www.eurovisionodds.co.uk/best-bets) regularly picks the winner, and they have us second-favourite at 17/2.

[mypost]

We're among the favourites with the Bookies every year, no matter how bad the song is.

It will be an achievement if the UK reality show/record company rejects qualify. They make Dustin look a serious music artist.

[ifk101]

We're among the favourites with the Bookies every year, no matter how bad the song is.

You're not a bookie anyways ......

[Wolfie]

It will be an achievement if the UK reality show/record company rejects qualify. They make Dustin look a serious music artist.

To paraphrase the old Kit Kat advert - "They can't sing, they can't play, they look weird - they'll go a long way".

This is Eurovision lads, the normal parameters of taste and sanity do not apply.

Jettison the political voting element to this "competition" and Jedward would stand a fighting chance of winning it outright.

[saint dog]

We're among the favourites with the Bookies every year, no matter how bad the song is.

It will be an achievement if the UK reality show/record company rejects qualify. They make Dustin look a serious music artist.

only because people are betting on them here , they were 20/1 last week and now 6/1 which will change tonight if (big if) they get through .

[corkharps]

Another signal that the jury vote works, is seeing Iceland and Switzerland qualify, and Armenia and Turkey sent home. The last two were perennial qualifiers without the juries.

The weirdos are on last on Thursday night, and with the UK unable to vote for them, I reckon we've got Dustin II episode on the cards.

You are way too interested in this!!!!
I thought they were great, up there with bob the builder and ben 10 for keeping the kids occupied for 3 minutes.:soldier:

[mypost]

Hungary still strong favourites imo. It appeals to the juries, the voters, has several key changes in tone that keeps viewers interested. I think Serbia will score well too. As usual, you can forget about UK and France. The German song is weak imo, and doesn't seem to know what it's about.

The leading contenders are always the countries that finished top 3 in the semi-finals, and it's those that usually win. I doubt Jedward are very popular with juries. They are Number 6 in the final.

[DeLorean]

The JedHeads were just awesome. Forget penalty shoot outs in Genoa and drop goals in Cardiff, it's nights like last night that Irish pride runs deepest.

[mypost]

Respectable placing in the end, 8th with a decent haul of points. Probably would have got more had we sent someone who could dance properly, or even sing instead of shout, but could be worse. We came 8th in the semi-final.

I can imagine the scene though in RTE, BBC, ORF, RUV, NDR, and lots of other cost-conscious Western tv network boardrooms upon finalising the arrangements for next year's haul to Baku. It's not going to be a laugh-a-minute job.

http://en.trend.az/news/society/1876259.html

Considering it was 4am local time when the show had finished, that's a decent turnout to celebrate. Would be nice to see people celebrating on O'Connell Street, Patrick Street, or Eyre Square if we won it again. But we'd probably be moaning about the cost of holding it instead, as ever.

But as Gene Kerrigan writes in his paper today, the nation is happy not to win it, as we can't foresee the benefits of hosting it, and only see the bill involved. Instead, we can get back to debating the national obsession whether to pay off anonymous senior bondholders, junior bondholders, guaranteed bondholders, unguaranteed bondholders, those covered by the bank guarantee, those not covered by the bank guarantee, or whether or not to just destroy the bondholders altogether. Unlike with hosting Eurovision, that's a bill we have no flexibility or feel-good factor with.

[OwlsFan]

Marty Whelan, like last year with Niamh Kavanagh, talked up our chances. He claimed everyone was talking about Jedward and he said the same last year until we got about 20 votes. He was very silent as the first 3 countries to vote gave us null poins.

Most annoying thing about the Eurovision: the people giving the votes from the individual countries who talk ad nauseum about what a great show it was etc etc. Just give us the votes please. We have 40 others to get through. The Polish one really went over the top and hung around for at least a minute before she's tell us who got the 12 and it was someone irrelevant like Lithuania. I love watching the voting though. Most obvious mutual 12 points: Greece/Cyprus. I think Denmark/Iceland are also nailed on mutual 12 pointers. The former republics of Yugoslavia always vote for each other despite killing each other a short time ago. Spain/Portugal are mutual 12 pointers as well. Most neutral is us I think although the UK will always get a few votes.

[Lionel Ritchie]

....But as Gene Kerrigan writes in his paper today, the nation is happy not to win it, as we can't foresee the benefits of hosting it, and only see the bill involved. ......Unlike with hosting Eurovision, that's a bill we have no flexibility or feel-good factor with.

Perhaps you'd best spell out the benefits of hosting it that we can't foresee but that visionaries like yourself and Gene Kerrigan can. We've been through all this before earlier in the thread -there is NO tourism or other dividend -if there was we'd have seen a quantifiable spike in the mid-to-late 90's. The host regions hotels gets to milk it for the weeks running up to it -that is all -that and the "feel good factor". Now if you want to flush millions of your own bucks to watch howling drunks dance 'round an Eyre Square fountain at 4am ...go for it.

Incidently -fair play to those lads Jedward. First time in three decades I actually wanted "us" to do well. They make people smile and laugh-and that's good enough for me right now. Their silly little song was probably the best on show as well. In fact, send them again next year. "We" (the grand we again) give effective contracts of indefinite duration to lots of other people in and around this malarky (marty Whelan for example) -why not the lads?

[mypost]

Marty Whelan, like last year with Niamh Kavanagh, talked up our chances. He claimed everyone was talking about Jedward and he said the same last year until we got about 20 votes. He was very silent as the first 3 countries to vote gave us null poins.

He does it every year. Everyone did talk about Jedward, and laugh at them too.


Most annoying thing about the Eurovision: the people giving the votes from the individual countries who talk about what a great show it was etc etc. Just give us the votes please. We have 40 others to get through. The Polish one really went over the top and hung around for at least a minute before she's tell us who got the 12 and it was someone irrelevant like Lithuania. I love watching the voting though. Most obvious mutual 12 points: Greece/Cyprus. I think Denmark/Iceland are also nailed on mutual 12 pointers. The former republics of Yugoslavia always vote for each other despite killing each other a short time ago. Spain/Portugal are mutual 12 pointers as well. Most neutral is us I think although the UK will always get a few votes.


The final lasts 3,5 hours. I think I can wait a few seconds while the spokespersons show their appreciation for the great job the Host Broadcaster puts on. It's a very slick operation now though, the days when presenters couldn't see their own scoreboard, and international phone lines went down in the middle of the voting are long gone.

We can't complain about the bloc-voting, as we do it ourselves with the Brits. The likes of Holland/Belgium/Switzerland/Malta are always "scattergun" votes though.

You need more than bloc votes to win though, now with the juries back, so the result can't be questioned, as the winning song deserves to win.



there is NO tourism or other dividend. The host regions hotels gets to milk it for the weeks running up to it.

:D

And what industry are they in???

43 national delegations spending 2 weeks here, = hotels make a windfall (especially these days). 10-20,000 show spectators flying in to watch up to 3 contests from all around Europe. More megabucks for (rip-off) hotels/hostels.

They all have to be fed and watered for the time they're here, so hundreds of thousands of income for local shops/bars/cafes/restaurants, who can charge any price. Performers off-stage to sing in various places around the area, extra cash for clubs/theatres.

When away from the singing, there's the need for entertainment shows for tourists and delegations. More money for theatres/venues/sports stadiums. Exhibitions on the ground and sightseeing tours on land/boats/rivers = windfall time for those companies. Then they go home after the contest, and tell their friends/families their impressions, leading in turn to more visitors later on. There's your tourism dividend, and it all adds up to hundreds of millions of Euro just from the contest time alone. It takes a brave businessman to stick his fingers up to that amount of sales and revenue, and tell everyone to shove it.


Now if you want to flush millions of your own bucks to watch howling drunks dance 'round a fountain at 4am ...go for it.

All very well until you find out that Azerbaijan is a Muslim country and so people don't drink. Nothing needs to be "flushed" away. I'm sure they will put on a fine show and reap the rewards in time.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Then they go home after the contest, and tell their friends/families their impressions, leading in turn to more visitors later on. There's your tourism dividend, and it all adds up to hundreds of millions of Euro just from the contest time alone. It takes a brave businessman to stick his fingers up to that amount of sales and revenue, and tell everyone to shove it. Then I can only conclude they thought ireland consistently sucked as there is nothing, not a scrap of data out there to indicate three (or was it four) wins in the nineties did a jot for subsequent visitor numbers here. What you describe as tourism is nothing of the sort -it's essentially business travel with some expensive frills thrown in and those who participate are as likely to go home and, with a strong degree of truth to it, tell their friends they were financially ass-raped at every coffee shop, deli, pub and restaurant.

[mypost]

What you describe as tourism is nothing of the sort -it's essentially business travel with some expensive frills thrown in and those who participate are as likely to go home and, with a strong degree of truth to it, tell their friends they were financially ass at every coffee shop, deli, pub and restaurant.

aka tourism and tourist revenue. They're off to a concert, not to attend a NATO meeting. People in general, come here to sample the entertainment and the experience we offer. Nobody comes here for the prices or the sunshine. They know what they're getting on that score.

The three wins were 15-20 years ago. Much has changed and developed here since. There's a tourist market available and exchequer revenue from that to be made, should the Contest come around here again.

[Partizan]

Its Eurovision 2012 time again...

Alright folks, whats the verdict/forecast/bets?