Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979
Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 with the song "Happy Man", written and performed by Cathal Dunne.The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final.Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ) held the national final on 4 February 1979 in Dublin, broadcast on RTÉ 1 and hosted by Mike Murphy.The winner, which was decided by ten regional juries throughout Ireland, was Cathal Dunne, who previously competed in the 1976 Irish National Final, but came 4th, losing out to Red Hurley who performed the song "When".Ireland performed 4th in the startfield and finished 5th with 80 points.