Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1981 with the song "Horoscopes", composed by Jim Kelly, with lyrics by Joe Burkett, and performed by the female trio Sheeba. The Irish participating broadcaster, (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final. In addition, RTÉ was also the host broadcaster and staged the event at the RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin, after winning the with the song "What's Another Year" by Johnny Logan.
Before Eurovision
National Song Contest The seventeenth edition of the National Song Contest was held on 1 March 1981 at the RTE TV Studios in Dublin, hosted by Mike Murphy. The winner was chosen by 10 regional juries. Killarney was due to announce their votes after Dublin, but due to connection problems, they had to announce their votes last.
The interval act was Johnny Logan with his song "What's Another Year".
Sheeba had previously appeared at the National Song Contest in 1978, while member Maxi had performed for Ireland at the 1973 contest.
The song "Horoscopes" became a No. 3 hit in the Irish charts.
Artist Song Points Place 1Tara"Not Tonight Josephine"17 2Nicola Kerr"The One in My Life" 145 3Sheeba"Horoscopes"211 4Tony Kenny"Can't Be Without You"163 5Helen Jordan"Share My Love"145 6The Duskey Sisters"Where Does That Love Come From"163 7Sylvia McFadden"Don't Walk Away"08 8Karen Black and The Nevada"My Pet Parrot"182
+ Detailed Regional Jury VotesSong 1"Not Tonight Josephine"1 1 2"The One in My Life"15 112 13 14 3"Horoscopes"114132125121 4"Can't Be Without You"1 3322 32 16 5"Share My Love" 4 1162 14 6"Where Does That Love Come From"5 1 1322 216 7"Don't Walk Away" 0 8"My Pet Parrot"1 252 1 718
At Eurovision The Eurovision final in 1981 was held at the RDS in Dublin, Ireland. It was presented by Doireann Ní Bhriain. Sheeba were the 12th act to perform. Sheeba finished fifth in the Eurovision Song Contest final on 4 April. They received two maximums of 12 points during the voting. The overall winner was the .
Voting
+ Points awarded to Ireland Score Country 12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point
+ Points awarded by Ireland Score Country 12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point
References