IRELAND will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest grand final for the first time in five years.
Singer Ryan O'Shaughnessy (25) from Skerries in Co Dublin made it through last night's first semi-final with ballad Together.
Competing against 18 other countries, the former Britain's Got Talent and Voice of Ireland contestant was among 10 acts to advance to Saturday's final.
For the previous four years Ireland had failed to qualify for the Eurovision final.
Co Tyrone singer Ryan Dolan managed to progress in 2013 with his song Only Love Survives – but came last in the final with just five points.
The UK will be represented in the final at Lisbon's Altice Arena by 29-year-old singer SuRie with her track Storm.
As one of the so-called 'big five' that give the most funding to the contest, the UK gets an automatic pass to the final along with four other countries and host nation Portugal.
Ireland has won the contest the most times with seven victories, followed by Sweden with six, and the UK, France and Luxembourg each with five wins.
The last time Ireland won was in 1996 when singer Eimear Quinn triumphed in Norway with Celtic-inspired song The Voice.
This year is the 63rd edition of the annual contest, with 43 countries taking part.
Although the UK is leaving the European Union next March, it will still be able to compete in Eurovision post-Brexit.
This is because the BBC is still part of the European Broadcasting Union which organises the contest, and EU membership is not required.
For many years Eurovision's entrants have extended far beyond Europe's boundaries, with countries including Israel and even Australia now annually competing.
