The Eurovision Song Contest 1997 was the 42nd edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest, held on 3 May 1997 at the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ) and presented by Carrie Crowley and Ronan Keating, the contest was held in Ireland following the country's victory at the 1996 contest with the song "The Voice" by Eimear Quinn. The 1997 contest was the seventh – and to date last – edition to be staged in Ireland, as well as the fourth to be produced by RTÉ in five years. The Point Theatre served as the host venue for the third time, following the 1994 and 1995 contests, becoming the only venue to have been the site of three Eurovision Song Contests.
Ireland has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 57 times since making its debut at the 1965 contest in Naples, missing only two contests since, in 1983 and 2002. The current Irish participant broadcaster in the contest is Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). Ireland shares a joint record total of seven wins with Sweden, and is the only country to have won three times consecutively. Ireland has finished second four times, while Sweden has done that just once.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1994 with the song "Rock 'n' Roll Kids", written by Brendan Graham, and performed by Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final, which ultimately won the contest. In addition, RTÉ was also the host broadcaster –for the second year in a row– and staged the event at the Point Theatre in Dublin, after winning the previous edition with the song "In Your Eyes" by Niamh Kavanagh.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1995 with the song "Dreamin'", written by Richard Abbott and Barry Woods, and performed by Eddie Friel. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final. In addition, RTÉ was also the host broadcaster –for the third year in a row– and staged the event at the Point Theatre in Dublin –for the second time in a row–, after winning the previous edition with the song "Rock 'n' Roll Kids" by Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 with the song "The Voice", written by Brendan Graham, and performed by Eimear Quinn. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final, which eventually won the contest.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 with the song "Mysterious Woman", written by John Farry, and performed by Marc Roberts. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final. In addition, RTÉ was also the host broadcaster –for the fourth time in the last five years– and staged the event at the Point Theatre in Dublin –for the third time in the last four years–, after winning the previous edition with the song "The Voice" by Eimear Quinn.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 with the song "Is Always Over Now?", written by Gerry Morgan, and performed by Dawn Martin. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1999 with the song "When You Need Me", written by Bronagh Mullan, and performed by The Mullans. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1993 with the song "In Your Eyes", written by Jimmy Walsh, and performed by Niamh Kavanagh. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final, which ultimately won the contest. In addition, RTÉ was also the host broadcaster and staged the event at the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet, after winning the previous edition with the song "Why Me?" by Linda Martin.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1992 with the song "Why Me?", written by Johnny Logan, and performed by Linda Martin. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final. The entry eventually won the Eurovision Song Contest, becoming the fourth ever victory for Ireland in the contest, and the third by Johnny Logan.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1991 with the song "Could It Be That I'm in Love", written by Liam Reilly, and performed by Kim Jackson. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final. Reilly had already represented Ireland at the 1990 contest, with Jackson providing backing vocals for that entry.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1990 with the song "Somewhere in Europe", written and performed by Liam Reilly. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1989 with the song "The Real Me", written by Kiev Connolly, and performed by Kiev Connolly and the Missing Passengers. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1988 with the song "Take Him Home", written by Peter Eades, and performed by Jump the Gun. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final. In addition, RTÉ was also the host broadcaster and staged the event at the RDS Simmonscourt Pavilion in Dublin, after winning the previous edition with the song "Hold Me Now" by Johnny Logan.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 with the song "What's Another Year", written by Shay Healy, and performed by Johnny Logan. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final. The entry eventually won the Eurovision Song Contest.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1987 with the song "Hold Me Now", written and performed by Johnny Logan. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final. The entry eventually won the Eurovision Song Contest.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1986 with the song "You Can Count on Me", written by Kevin Sheerin, and performed by the group Luv Bug. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1982 with the song "Here Today Gone Tomorrow", written by Sally Keating, and performed by The Duskeys. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final.
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1967 with the song "If I Could Choose", composed by Michael Coffey, with lyrics by Wesley Burrowes, and performed by Sean Dunphy. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final.
Ireland was represented by Red Hurley, with the song "When", at the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 3 April in The Hague. "When" was chosen as the Irish entry at the national final on 8 February.
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