Country Ireland Selection date(s) 28 February 2014 | Selection process Eurosong 2014 Selected song "Heartbeat" | |
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Selected entrant Can-Linn feat. Kasey Smith Selected songwriter(s) Jonas Gladnikoff
Rasmus Palmgren
Patrizia Helander
Hazel Kaneswaran | ||
Ireland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Irish entry was selected through the national final Eurosong 2014, organised by the Irish broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). Can-Linn featuring Kasey Smith represented Ireland with the song "Heartbeat", which failed to qualify from the second semi-final placing 12th in a field of 15. This was the third time that the Irish Eurovision entry was written by songwriter Jonas Gladnikoff, along with Rasmus Palmgren, Patrizia Helander and the entry mentor Hazel Kaneswaran.
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Eurosong 2014
Eurosong 2014 was the national final format developed by RTÉ in order to select Ireland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. Despite placing last in the final of the 2013 contest, RTÉ indicated shortly after the conclusion of the previous year's contest that they would continue to participate, later confirming in July 2013 that they would definitely be among the participants for the 2014 contest.
On 31 October 2013, RTÉ announced that the Eurosong selection procedure would return, continuing as a special edition of The Late Late Show to be held on 28 February 2014 and hosted by Ryan Tubridy. Five mentors were responsible for each selecting a song and artist for the competition where the combination of a public vote and the votes of regional juries selected the Irish entry for Copenhagen. The mentors had until 3 January 2014 to submit details regarding their song and act, while the recorded version of the entry was required to be submitted to RTÉ by 3 February 2014. RTÉ revealed the names and titles of the competing artists and songs on 5 February 2014. The five songs were presented on 6 February 2014 during the RTÉ 2fm programme Rick in the Afternoon, hosted by Rick O'Shea and on the RTÉ Radio 1 programme Mooney, hosted by Derek Mooney.
The mentors for Eurosong 2014 were:
The national final featured commentary from a panel that consisted of Louis Walsh, Eoghan McDermott, Maia Dunphy and former contest winner Linda Martin. Guest performances included Johnny Logan performing a medley of "What's Another Year", "Hold Me Now" and "Why Me?" and Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan performing "Rock 'n' Roll Kids". After the combination of votes from the five regional juries and the public televoting, "Heartbeat" performed by Can-Linn featuring Kasey Smith was selected as the winner.
At Eurovision
During the semi-final allocation draw on 20 January 2014 at the Copenhagen City Hall, Ireland was drawn to compete in the second half of the second semi-final on 8 May 2014. In the second semi-final, the producers of the show decided that Ireland would perform 9th, following Finland and preceding Belarus. Ireland placed 12th with 35 points.
The Irish performance featured Kasey Smith performing with the members of Can-Linn which included two male backing dancers: Thomas Spratt and Tarik Shebani and two female backing vocalists: Jenny Bowden and Donna Bissett. Can-Linn and Kasey Smith were joined on stage by violinist Denice Doyle. The Irish performance featured a stage atmosphere of warm shades of reds, yellows and oranges with Celtic inspired shapes and patterns against a backdrop that transitioned from dark seas with lightning bolts to an orange sky with green water. The dress Kasey Smith wore was designed by Kathy de Stafford with a neckpiece designed by Oliver Doherty Duncan.
In Ireland, the first and second semi-finals were broadcast on RTÉ Two and the final was broadcast on RTÉ One with all shows being commentated by Marty Whelan. The second semi-final and the final were also broadcast via radio on RTÉ Radio 1 with commentary by Shay Byrne and Zbyszek Zalinski. The Irish spokesperson revealing the result of the Irish vote in the final was Nicky Byrne.
Split voting results
The following five members comprise the Irish jury:
Semi-final 2
The Irish votes in the second semi-final were based on 50% jury voting and 50% televoting results.
Final
The Irish votes in the grand final were based on 50% jury voting and 50% televoting results.