Here is the next confirmed artist for the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest: the Irish national broadcaster has today confirmed that Ryan O’Shaughnessy has been internally selected to represent the nation at the upcoming Portugal-hosted event this coming May, competing with his entry Together.

As predicted, the Irish national broadcaster – RTÉ – has opted to, once again, select their act for Eurovision via an internal selection. This is the third consecutive year that the broadcaster has selected their act through this process.

The search for the country’s next act got underway in September 2017, with RTÉ calling for songs in the bid to become the country’s next Eurovision entry. Submissions closed 2 months after, with the broadcaster since internally deciding their act for the competition from all of the 300 submissions.

Rumours have been spreading over recent months; from Heathers to the Sex Pistols’ Johnny Rotten, artists from across the nation and beyond have been named as potential entrants for the competition.

Today speculation has come to an end, with Ireland’s broadcaster confirming that Ryan O’Shaughnessy will be the country’s next Eurovision representative this May, competing with his entry Together.

About Together

Together was written specifically for the Eurovision Song Contest by O’Shaughnessy himself, together with the songwriting team founded by Hamlet Sweeney, The Nucleus.

Speaking of his entry, O’Shaughnessy said:

As one of three songwriters on Together, I’m delighted it has been chosen to represent Ireland in Eurovision 2018, and on top of that, to be asked to perform for my country is an absolute honour. I plan on doing Ireland proud by bringing a song and performance to Eurovision that we haven’t seen since the days of Rock and Roll Kids. I can’t wait to get onto that stage and perform an honest piece for millions of people.

The song, confirmed as a ballad, is set to be officially unveiled over the coming weeks, with a release date expected in due course.

Who is Ryan O’Shaughnessy?

Ryan O’Shaughnessy, born 27 September 1992, in an Irish singer-songwriter and actor from the national capital of Dublin.

O’Shaughnessy’s career started within the world of acting, playing the part of Mark Halpin in the Irish soap Fair City throughout his early life from 2001 to 2010.

Undertaking a music course with the Brighton Institute of Modern Music in his early years, O’Shaughnessy redirected his focus in his search to become a musician.

Talent show participations

In 2012, O’Shaughnessy entered 2 talent shows at around the same time: The Voice of Ireland and Britain’s Got Talent.

Whilst being eliminated from The Voice during the first live show, the Irish performer managed to advance to the final of Britain’s Got Talent, finishing in 5th place in the competition.

O’Shaughnessy became known for his performances of his own self-composed music, receiving recognition throughout both Ireland and the United Kingdom. During Britain’s Got Talent, the singer performed 2 of his own songs: No name and First kiss.

Post-competition career

Since his talent show participations, O’Shaughnessy went on to sign a record deal with Sony Music, releasing his debut mini-album in August 2012 featuring self-written tracks.

Following his appearance in the Irish song-writing competition – The Hit – back in 2013, the singer has since continued to work on his own material, establishing the Dublin-based record label, Bayview Records, in 2015.

The same year, O’Shaughnessy released 2 new tracks, Fingertips and Evergreen, followed shortly after by yet another self-composed single, She won’t wait.

O’Shaughnessy will now continue his music career with his 2018 participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, in which Ireland will be competing in the second half of the first semi-final on the 8 May.

Can O’Shaughnessy take the nation back to the final of the competition, the last of which being in 2013?