RTÉ File | Eurovision entertainment comes to Ireland

The Eurovision Song Contest in Ireland will be held for the first time at the Gaiety Theater in Dublin.

Ireland hosted the Eurovision Song Contest after Dana won in Amsterdam last year. The event took place at Dublin’s Gaiety Theater on April 3, 1971 and was hosted by Bernadette née Galchwar.

The Eurovision Song Contest was broadcast to millions of viewers in 29 countries around the world and it was a great job for RTÉ’s production team. The show was also one of the first outdoor shows RTÉ produced in color. She represented 18 countries in the competition, which was won by Monaco and Chevrine, with the song “Un Banc, Un Arbre, Une Rue”.

Prelude to the Eurovision Song Contest, Bernadette as née Galcourt. Photo by Roy Biddle

Ireland’s entry into the competition was Angela Farrell’s One Day Love song, which ranked 11th.

The opening film features Grace O’Shaugnessy and Brian McGrath in a horse-drawn carriage from Merrion Square to Gaiety Theater.

Adrian Cronin presents his award to Séverine, who represents Monaco.

For Séverine, it’s the start of a new career and for RTÉ the end of a year of hard work.

The 1971 Eurovision Song Contest was broadcast by Telefís Éireann on April 3, 1971.

Eurovision Song Contest Scoreboard (1971)

The photos of each participant from the participating countries are presented here in order of ranking in the final vote. (Note: Sweden and the Netherlands ranked sixth, while Belgium and Yugoslavia were ranked 14).

1. Monaco – Severin “Bench, Tree, Street”

Severin won the Eurovision Song Contest (1971) performed by Roy Biddle.

2. Spain – Carina “In a New World”

Spanish Carina at the Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo by Roy Biddle

3. Alemania – Katia Epstein, “This World”

German Katia Epstein at the Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo by Roy Biddle

4. Reino Unido – Clodagh Rodgers “Jack in the Box”

Clodagh Rodgers from Great Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo by Roy Biddle

5. Italien – Massimo Ranieri, “Moment Love”

Massimo Ranieri training for Eurovision (1971). Photo by Roy Biddle

6. Sweden – Fourth Dynasty “Vita Vader”

Swedish actor at Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo by Roy Biddle

6. Holland – Saskia and Serge “Time”

Dutch participants Saskia and Serge in the Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo by Roy Biddle

8- Finland: Markku Aro and Koivistolaiset “The Road to a New Day”

Markku Aro represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo by Roy Biddle

9- Portugal – Tunesha Minina do Alto da Serra

Tonica represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo by Roy Biddle

10. France – Serge Lama, “A Garden on Earth”

French Serge Lama at the Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo by Roy Biddle

11. Ireland – Angela Farrell, Valentine’s Day

Angela Farrell represents Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo by Roy Biddle

12. Switzerland: Peter, Sue and Mark, 20 Years of Illusions

Peter, Sue and Mark represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo: RTÉ Guide

13. Luxembourg – Monique Melsen “Apples, apples, apples”

Monique Melsen will represent Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest (1971) Photo: RTÉ Guide

14. Belgium – Lily Castel and Jacques Raymond “Good morning, tomorrow”.

Belgian actor at Eurovision Song Contest (1971)

14. Yugoslavia – Kronoslav Slapenak, “Your son is grieving.”

Kronoslav Slapenak from Yugoslavia in the Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo by Roy Biddle

16. Austria – Marian Mint “Music”

Marian Mint represents Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest. Photo: RTÉ Guide

17. Norway – Hanne Krogh “Happiness is”

Han Krug represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo: RTÉ Guide

18. Malta – Joe Gresh, “Mary Maltese”

Joe Gresh represented Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest (1971). Photo: RTÉ Guide

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