Brian Kennedy to Represent Ireland at Eurovision

Belfast-born Brian Kennedy has been selected by RTE to represent Ireland at next years Eurovision song contest.

Kennedy, 39, grew up on the Falls Road and has performed with the likes of Van Morrison and The Corrs.

His search for stardom took him to London at 18 and a number of odd jobs including a Tarzan kissogram.

In 1990, Kennedy recorded his first album, The Great War with Words and has since had three albums in the Top 30 of the Irish album charts simultaneously. He has also performed as a member of Riverdance, the Eurovision Song Contest’s most successful interval act.

The decision signals a busy year for Kennedy who he has recently published a second novel ‘Roman Song’, a sequel to his first titled ‘The Arrival of Fergal Flynn.’ He also has concerts scheduled in Belfast and Derry later this month to promote his new album Red Sails in the Sunset.

In its latest bid to revive Ireland’s Eurovision fortunes, the RTE has also invited songwriters from around the country to submit songs for the contest. Four songs will then be short-listed and Kennedy will perform all four on television in a one-hour special television programme.

The public is to vote on these and the Belfast-born singer will then perform this in Athens in May.

The decision to choose a professional singer is a departure from recent years when amateurs have been selected through the 'You're a Star' competition.

But with last years humiliating defeat in Kiev, in which Athlone brother and sister team The McCauls failed to make it to the semi-finals with their song, it seems the RTE were left without a choice.

Brian Kennedy is the first announced participant in the 2006 contest.