According to the Irish Independent, Brian Kennedy will represent the green island during the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest in Athens. In a televised selection in early spring, television viewers can select the winning song out of four entries. Brian Kennedy performed as lead vocalist in the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest's interval act, Lumen.
Kennedy, who recently published a book titled Roman Song, had several book signings and promotional appearances on radio and TV in Dublin and Belfast. Concerts are scheduled in Belfast and Derry later this month, to promote his new album Red Sails in the Sunset, released in February. In 2000, Kennedy became a member of Riverdance, the Eurovision Song Contest's most successful interval act. With the group he performed 290 times on Broadway. Brian has already performed in the Eurovision Song Contest in the past: in the song contest that took place in Dublin in 1995 he was the lead vocalist in the interval act Lumen, before the voting sequence.
Last month, RTÉ already announced not to send the You're a star winner to the Eurovision Song Contest anymore. Although the show will take place again, Ireland's hope at the Eurovision Song Contest will most likely come from Belfast. The Irish Independent stated that RTÉ will reveal more details later today.
The decision to enter a professional singer and performer in the upcoming contest follows Ireland's defeat at last year's contest, when the McCauls failed to reach the final with Love?.
UPDATE: Broadcaster RTÉ confirmed the news. This means Brian Kennedy is the first announced participant for the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest.
