Despite finishing last at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, the show remained a ratings hit for Irish broadcaster.

The number of people in Ireland who tuned into the show during its broadcast on channel RTÉ One for one minute or more reached over 1.8m (1, 826,000 to be exact), with just under 800,000 viewers watching the entire show. At 10.59pm, as Ryan Dolan took to the stage in Malmö to sing Only love survives, the peak minute viewing figure hit 1, 079, 700.

We’re thrilled with the viewing figures, said Michael Kealy, Ireland’s Head of Delegation. It’s clear to see that the viewing public really got behind Ryan.

These viewing figures are an improvement on last year’s. In 2012, an average of 764, 500 tuned in for the whole three-hour final. The peak minute viewing figure was 1, 011, 900 while the number of people tuning in for one minute or more reached 1, 751, 700.  An improvement of nearly 75, 000 viewers.

Earlier in the week, however, RTE had suffered a drop in ratings compared to last year when Ryan Dolan performed in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013. 386, 700 people in Ireland tuned in to watch Dolan compete in his semi-final. Last year, 468,000 Irish viewers watched Jedward perform Waterline in their semi-final, a drop of 17%.

Speaking to journalists of the grand final, Michael Kealy said: (Ryan) performed superbly on the night and while the result was disappointing, he can be proud of his performance and take comfort in the fact that the Irish public think it was undeserved to be placed last.

Ryan is a star already, he added. I have no doubt that he has a successful career ahead of him.

Watch Ryan’s performance here