I'm watching it just to see how many points we give the Brits. We're still allowed award points even though we didn't make the final aren't we?

I'm tempted to say it, I will say it -

"She hasn't gone away, you know".

LOL - poor maca, you'll have ruined his day !

Sorry - haven't quite mastered the art of adding web links yet....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/news/story/0,11711,1488671,00.html

Young Irelander

Only those taking part are allowed to vote. So no we will not be allowed to give points!

You mean we won't get to see a D-list Irish celebrity reading out our vote results? Bah! Now there's really no point in watching...

Anybody heard from Keith M since? I assume this brutal blow to the nation will send our favourite Dub into a pit of despair only matched by his reaction to a successfull election for Sinn Féin!

bring back dana!

I never even knew she was in Columbia. Boom. Boom. I'll get my coat.

All 39 entrants will be awarding votes in Saturdays final, all the 24 Finalists & the 15 who were unsuccessful last night.
Dana will present the Irish vote while its Cheryl Baker for the UK.

Is this true Scott? Huzzah!

Where's Keith Mills when you really need him? Aha, so that's where he is!!

Ah the Eurovision song contest. Were hundreds of Irish citizens are happy to be British for the night.... so they can vote for the Irish Eurovision entry!

Dana will present the Irish vote while its Cheryl Baker for the UK.

In the spirit of true peace and reconciliation, could Dana not present both...?!

Lol, Beano, but how would you explain the relatively high vote the UK gets from the Free State? ;-) West Brits?

In fact, you can have her. No, I insist!!

"Lol, Beano, but how would you explain the relatively high vote the UK gets from the Free State? ;-) West Brits?"

LOL @ Free State

But 1 or 2 points 'relatively high'?

The elimination of the Southern Irish entry is irrelevant to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is represented by the UK entry.

I seem to remember not so long ago the UK were glad to get our 7 points. Now, what was ye're final tally that year? ;-)

By the By, I was thrilled that those two failed to get through to the final. Lovely kids I'm sure, but god awful, singing, dancing, costumes etc.

It's a pity you go to the trouble, Willowfield, to make comment just to highlight your pet hate.

I can only assume you object to the use of the word Irish, to describe Ireland’s (as described by Eurovision) entry, btw have you ever explained to the Eurovision that Ireland should be called Southern Ireland?

You have, haven't you!!

How does this go again.

Willowfield - Ireland does not mean The Republic of Ireland.

smcgiff - Southern Ireland does not mean The Republic of Ireland.

Now, feel free to add the next couple of lines of our argument.

willow

I believe that east belfast girl Linda Martin represented Ireland a number of years ago,

I think she represented all of the island ??

Groundhog day .....

Saturday Night is Dr Who night! Yay!

'I think she represented all of the island ??'

I'll answer this one, Willowfield,

Likewise Dana was born and was a citizen of The North East of Ireland, but she represented the Republic. So did Linda. I'm sure she could equally have represented the UK, though. But neither of the two, represented the Island of Ireland.

The next person from NE Ireland will not be able to have people from NE Ireland vote for him/her.

But, KeithM's your man for a definitive answer.

You mean Billie Piper night, Davros!

LOL Seamus - looks like I'm not the only one then ;)

Unfortunately not! The ginger minger being the most objectionable.

I'd still be prepared to show her my Dalek, if I were single that is!!

willowfield

Northern Ireland is represented by the UK entry.

That is not the case. The UK entry represents the BBC and the Irish entry represents RTE. They are represented in their capacity as members of the European Broadcasting Union. Let's try to keep some perspective in all the excitement.

Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Not THIS again!

'Ireland' means the Irish state (as per the map outline on tonight's programme).

The UK means the UK, including Northern Ireland.

People in Northern Ireland whose prime national identity is Irish no doubt support the former, and whose prime national identity is British no doubt support the latter. So we can support either or both - isn't that great?! And Turks in Germany will support Turkey. And Hungarians in Romania will support Hungary. And of course, you don't have to be from a country to represent it (Switzerland, this evening represented by Estonians, once won with Celine Dion).

Henry is right, of course, because it's really all about the EBU (which is why countries such as Morocco and Lebanon are entitled to enter, although they usually happen not to).

Frankly I think the whole competition's in A LOT of trouble, the voting arrangements need serious reform. DeMOCKracy gone mad...

This contest illustrates perfectly that nationalism is more trouble than it's worth ;)

Yes Davros but do we really want peace love harmony and all holding hands in the spirit of international brother (and sister) hood for the rest of eternity.

God we'd all die of boredom!

Euroharmony nil points.

I have to say if ever there was proof that 'euroharmony' just ain't gonna happen it's the way neighbouring countries all vote for each other!

It's all a bit of a laugh and Wogan's brilliant, but the voting system's gotta go... now, where have I heard that before...?

Isn't that part of the whole fun. You are expected to believe the national juries vote on musical talent and then watch the former members of Yugoslavia , who were slaughtering each other a few years ago now awarding 'douze points' to each other not to mention all the other regional backstabbing and backslapping going on. .

It's a farce but it's a good laugh.

Did Dana (Derry and Ireland) and Clodagh Rogers (Newry and UK) sing in the same year? I note too that the Greek winner was actually a Swede!

The reason why the singer can come from Timbuktu is because the Eurovision (AND yes, I'm smirking as I write this) is about the song. It's the songwriter that wins the grand prix.

We now realise it’s cleavage, tomfoolery and a gimmick (Rock on Granny!) that win Eurovision.

But think back to the more simple days of Eurovision. It was the muppets jumping around the stage and dressed like peacocks that were mocked. Well, the peacocks have inherited the earth, if I can muddle up my metaphors.

"Wogan's brilliant"

ijp

you cannot be serious

jed

Well, admittedly it depends on your definition of 'fun' and 'brilliant'...

"admittedly it depends on your definition of 'fun' and 'brilliant'..."

Terry Wogan's commentary Certainly fits my definition of 'fun' and 'brilliant'.

archie

I believe that east belfast girl Linda Martin represented Ireland a number of years ago, I think she represented all of the island ??

You think wrong. She only represented the Republic.

Henry94

The UK entry represents the BBC and the Irish entry represents RTE.

As national broadcasters for the UK and Irish Republic.

willowfield,

I take offence at you calling my country the "Irish Republic". That is not its official name.;)

As a final footnote on the voting, the UK gave Ireland its only 12 on Thursday night and we gave the UK its first and biggest score (8 points) on Saturday. We can hardly blame anyone else for neighbourly voting.

Keith, there was no entry representing Ireland: it was the Irish Republic entry.