Following today’s announcement that Nicky Byrne is to represent Ireland at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, broadcaster RTÉ has released a list of what it considers the country’s greatest moments in the competition.

Ireland has competed 49 times in the Eurovision Song Contest since 1965 and has won no fewer than 7 times which, as of 2015, is more than any other country. The list of Ireland’s top ten most memorable moments was published on RTÉ 10’s website, and some of the entries on the list may surprise you…

1. Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan – 1994

Rock ‘n’ roll kids was Ireland’s third consecutive win, and second on home soil. So far, no other country has won three years in a row.

2. Riverdance – 1994

Riverdance remains the most famous of all Eurovision interval acts. It is still performed in theatres around the world 22-years later.

3. Johnny Logan – 1987

This was the second time Johnny won the competition. Hold me now still regularly features in polls of the most-loved Eurovision songs.

4. Dana – 1970

Ireland’s first Eurovision win. Following her victory over established stars like Mary Hopkin and Julio Iglesias, Dana, who’d been an unknown singer up until that point, returned to Derry and sang her winning song from a balcony to crowds of well-wishers.

5. Jedward – 2011/2012

Lipstick, Jedward’s first entry in the Eurovision Song Contest, was a number 1 hit in Ireland. The twins brought their unique style and unique sense of fun to the competition.

6. Johnny Logan – 1980

This was Ireland’s second win at Eurovision and Johnny’s first. He’d go on to win the competition two more times, once in 1987 as a singer and once in 1992 as a songwriter.

7. Eimear Quinn – 1996

Ireland’s seventh win and most recent to date. Will Nicky Byrne make it eight?

8. Niamh Kavanagh – 1993

The first win on home ground, the second win in a three-win streak. Niamh’s song was also the biggest selling single in Ireland that year.

9. Mickey Joe Hart – 2003

Having won the You’re A Star talent contest, the whole of Ireland was behind Mickey Joe. He finished in a respectable 11th place.

10. Linda Martin – 1992

The first of the three consecutive wins, a song with a memorable hook and a song performed in a memorable, one-sleeved green dress.

What do you think of the list? Is there anything you’d change, add, or take away?

Stay tuned to esctoday.com for the latest news on Ireland and the Eurovision Song Contest