Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1975 with the song "That's What Friends Are For", written and performed by The Swarbriggs. The Irish participating broadcaster, (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final, after having previously selected the performer internally.
Before Eurovision National Song Contest Competing Entries (RTÉ) internally selected The Swarbriggs in October 1974 and opened song submissions. They received 335 entries from public submissions, 295 in English and 40 in Irish. RTÉ chose seven entries from the public submissions and another song was required to be composed by Tommy and Jimmy Swarbrigg, which was "That's What Friends Are For".
Final RTÉ held the eleventh National Song Contest at its studios in Dublin, hosted by Mike Murphy. This was the first edition of the National Song Contest to be broadcast in colour. For a second year, RTÉ pre-selected their representatives and The Swarbriggs performed eight songs which were voted on by ten regional juries.
+ Final – 9 February 1975 Song Points Place 1 "This Is Our Very Own Song" 10 4 2 "Butterfly Morning" 1 8 3 "Bláithín" 3 6 4 "Lady in Blue" 6 5 5 "Come and Keep Me Warm" 19 3 6 "That's What Friends Are For" 36 1 7 "Baberó Dederó" 3 6 8 "Goodbye To Goodbye" 22 2 + Detailed Regional Jury Votes Song Total1"This Is Our Very Own Song" 21221 2102"Butterfly Morning" 1 13"Bláithín" 1 1 1 34"Lady In Blue" 13 2 65"Come And Keep Me Warm" 51454196"That's What Friends Are For"577 51632 367"Baberó Dederó" 1 238"Goodbye To Goodbye"51 7 232 222
At Eurovision On the night of the final The Swarbriggs performed second in the running order, following the and preceding . At the close of voting "That's What Friends Are For" had picked up 68 points (including a maximum 12 from ), placing Ireland 9th of the 19 entries.
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