Ireland qualify for first Eurovision final in five years
Ireland has made it through to the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest – for the first time since 2013.
Former Britain’s Got Talent star Ryan O’Shaughnessy succeeded in getting through to the next stage after singing his ballad Together, about the end of a love affair, at the semi-final in Lisbon.
It's possible that the whole arena just got emosh over @Ryan_Acoustic's 'Together' #ESC2018 #AllAboard #IRL pic.twitter.com/XknPKWjgnC
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 8, 2018
O’Shaughnessy’s ballad was accompanied by two male dancers acting out the romantic story of a couple, which got a huge cheer from the audience.
The moment Ireland qualified #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/9sDI6a1fBN
— BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) May 8, 2018
With seven victories, Ireland is the most successful country at the contest, but finished in last place at the final in 2013.
Can Ireland qualify purely based on choreography and dancers please? Amazing. #Eurovision #IRE
— Lindsay Richards (@Lounza) May 8, 2018
The winners of the first #ESC2018 Semi-Final are: 🇦🇹 🇪🇪 🇨🇾 🇱🇹 🇮🇱 🇨🇿 🇧🇬 🇦🇱 🇫🇮 🇮🇪 #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/kufj4sVE6b
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 8, 2018
We're through to the final!!!! Yessss! Well done @ryan_acoustic!!! #Eurovision #ESC2018 pic.twitter.com/iwSgjx7S7M
— RTÉ2 (@RTE2) May 8, 2018
The moment Ireland qualified #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/9sDI6a1fBN
— BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) May 8, 2018
Go on ya good thing Ryan....#Eurovision
— Dustin The Turkey (@DustinOfficial) May 8, 2018
Got a little bit of pushback when we selected Ryan for #eurovision this year, people saying we needed an upbeat song. Feck that, it was absolutely beautiful & the best by a country mile. Win, lose, draw, a gorgeous performance you sexy bastardo x
— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) May 8, 2018
Ireland escaped from what was dubbed the 'semi-final of death' along with hotly-tipped acts from the Czech Republic, Israel and Estonia.
Israel made it through and led the way when it came to the most eccentric performances, with its singer “clucking like a chicken”.
Netta Barzilai, who performed her song Toy, has been the favourite with bookmakers to win this year’s competition.
.@NettaBarzilai has certainly got the crowd moving here in the arena! #ESC2018 #AllAboard #ISR pic.twitter.com/o98ALt6xNP
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 8, 2018
She was dubbed “Bjork on steroids” for her energetic performance.
WE'RE ON! TURN ON YOUR TV AND COME HAVE FUN WITH US #Eurovision #TOY pic.twitter.com/Kz3dnL1bEZ
— Netta Barzilai (@nettabarzi) May 8, 2018
Giving it Bjork on steroids Israel #ISR #EUROVISION
— Holly Johnson (@TheHollyJohnson) May 8, 2018
The first of the two semi-finals – with the second to air on Thursday – also saw former X Factor contestant Saara Aalto make it through to Saturday night, representing Finland.
