It’s a familiar face leading Ireland’s charge towards Eurovision glory in 2016.
Nicky Byrne is better known as one fifth of former Irish boyband Westlife and he’s been chosen to pick up the baton for the Irish this year in the hope of European triumph.
Ireland has achieved plenty of success in Eurovisions past, winning first in 1970, then (thanks to Johnny Logan) again in both 1980 and 1987, plus four more times since 1992 (including three in a row between 1992 and 1994).
But the last time Ireland won was in 1996 and, apart from their second place finish the following year, they’ve not placed top five since. And in the past two years, they’ve failed to even make it through the semi finals.
Hence the familiar face ready to lead the way. But is his song ‘Sunlight’ enough to shine on Europe’s biggest stage?
Well, given it’s peaked at a disastrous No.68 in usually fiercely supportive Ireland, he’ll be pushing shit uphill to convince the rest of Europe of its worth.
It’s okay. With Nicky’s raspy vocal, it feels like something that could have been ripped from the Bryan Adams back catalogue, but is it special enough to win the whole thing? Nup. Six points.
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