Next year will be our year...

RTÉ have announced today (Thursday, June 15) that submissions for Ireland's Eurovision 2024 entry are officially open. The broadcaster is looking for "contemporary performers and songwriters with the talent and ambition to compete and succeed in this highly competitive environment." If you are an "accomplished songwriter with a proven track record of success in the music industry" then RTÉ want to hear from you. All you have to do is submit an original song along with a short bio and a photograph. Songs must not go over three minutes. Upon submission, the entries will be looked over by a panel of music and entertainment industry members and selected fans of Eurovision. Interestingly, there's no mention of The Late Late Show, which usually hosts the national competition where the public vote for the winner. [caption id="attachment_582472" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Credit: Getty Images.[/caption] The 2024 competition will take place in Sweden after their entry, Loreen, won for the second time with her song 'Tattoo'. The Swede's victory also made history by matching Ireland's record of 7 wins in the competition. Next year's show will be especially significant as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of ABBA's first win in 1974.

Ireland will be hoping to improve on 2023

Ireland's entrants this year - Wild Youth - unfortunately didn't make it to the finals, failing to get past the semis as Switzerland and Serbia pipped them to the post. Ireland will be looking to seek a resurgence in the competition as we've let ourselves go from Eurovision darlings to barely making the finals in the past decade. One option we could take is calling up a proven winner to get back in the saddle, but that might not be what RTÉ are looking for, judging by their press release. Entries can be submitted through the online form on www.rte.ie/eurovision. CDs, cassettes or entries through third party sites won't be accepted, so make sure to watch out for that if you're thinking of going for it this year. Submissions are open until September 29, best of luck to all entries!

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