Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

Children's show puppet Dustin the Turkey was selected to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 following his victory at Eurosong 2008

Eurosong 2008 was the national final format developed by RTÉ in order to select Ireland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. The competition was held on 23 February 2008 at the University Concert Hall in Limerick, hosted by Ray D'Arcy and broadcast on RTÉ One as well as online via the broadcaster's official website rte.ie.[8][9] The first part of the national final was watched by 499,000 viewers in Ireland with a market share of 36%, while the second part was watched by 820,000 viewers in Ireland with a market share of 53%.[10]

On 4 November 2007, RTÉ opened a submission period where artists and composers were able to submit their entries for the competition until 23 January 2008. Artists were also required to indicate the performance and staging details of their song.[7][11] At the closing of the deadline, 150 entries were received. The competing entries were selected through two phases involving two separate five-member jury panels appointed by RTÉ; the first phase involved the first jury reviewing all of the submissions and selecting a shortlist of entries, while the second phase involved the second jury selecting the six finalists. Entries in both phases were evaluated based on four criteria: suitability of the song for Eurovision, quality of the artist, experience of the artist and stage appeal of the entry.[12] The members of the jury that selected the six finalists were producer Bill Hughes, singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy, singer-songwriter and former contest winner Charlie McGettigan, agent and choreographer Julian Benson and RTÉ Assistant Commissioning Entertainment Editor Julian Vignoles.[13] The finalists were announced on 3 February 2008 with their songs presented on 21 February 2008 during The Derek Mooney Show broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1.[14][15]

The national final took place on 23 February 2008 and featured a guest performance from former contest winner Marija Šerifović as well as commentary from a panel that consisted of music manager Louis Walsh and former contest winners Šerifović and Dana Rosemary Scallon.[16] Following a public televote, "Irelande Douze Pointe" performed by Dustin the Turkey was selected as the winner.[17][18][19]

"Irelande Douze Pointe" was released as a CD single as part of the Irish entry's promotional activities.

The announcement of Dustin the Turkey as the winner of Eurosong 2008 caused mixed reactions from the hall audience, including audible boos and panellist Dana Rosemary Scallon describing the win as a "mockery of the competition". Dana also stated that Ireland would be better withdrawing from the competition than sending Dustin.[20][21] Former contest winning composers Frank McNamara and Shay Healy questioned the legitimacy of the jury panel that selected the six finalists for the competition, with the former stating that RTÉ was "giving two fingers to Irish songwriters".[22] Selection jury chairman Bill Hughes later defended the decision of including Dustin as a finalist, citing his song, which included a "strong female vocal", was "very funny" and "had a great melody".[23]

The controversial nature of his entry "Irelande Douze Pointe" was also said to have been in breach of the contest rules that could "bring the Shows or the ESC as such into disrepute". The song was ultimately not disqualified, however the lyrics were edited by EBU demand after the Greek broadcaster ERT complained over the use of "Macedonia" in the lyrics in light of the Macedonia naming dispute.[24][25][26] Dustin's participation and win at Eurosong 2008 also garnered international media exposure; he was mentioned in Spanish media and appeared in the United Kingdom on the ITV morning programme This Morning during the Saint Patrick's Day celebrations.[27][28] "Irelande Douze Pointe" was later released as a CD single and went on to chart at number five in the Irish Singles Chart.[29][30]

Dustin the Turkey during a rehearsal before the first semi-final

Dustin the Turkey took part in technical rehearsals on 12 and 15 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 19 and 20 May. The Irish performance featured Dustin the Turkey in a green, white and gold trolley which included a record deck with a display underneath and dressed in a silver suit, performing together with three male and two female backing dancers, the latter which also performed backing vocals: Kitty B and Ann Harrington. The dancers were dressed in black cloaks at the beginning, which were removed to reveal large green, white and gold wings on two of the male dancers, a gold jumpsuit on the remaining male dancer, and gold dresses, green gloves and green headdresses on the female dancers. The LED screens displayed rippling effects of black and white as well as waves of orange, white and green.[34][35]

At the end of the show, Ireland was not announced among the top 10 entries in the first semi-final and therefore failed to qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Ireland placed fifteenth in the semi-final, receiving a total of 22 points.[36]

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Ireland and awarded by Ireland in the first semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Poland in the semi-final and to Latvia in the final of the contest.