The Castlebar Song Contest was an annual international song contest that was first staged in 1966 in Castlebar

Castlebar

Castlebar is the county town of, and at the centre of, County Mayo in Ireland. It is Mayo's largest town by population. The town's population exploded in the late 1990s, increasing by one-third in just six years, though this massive growth has slowed down greatly in recent years...

, County Mayo

County Mayo

County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...

, Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

. The contest was initially organised by the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce as part of a drive to increase tourism to the town. It was hoped that the competition would produce a song that would make the town famous just as songs such as The Rose of Tralee, Galway Bay, Mary of Dunloe, etc., had done for their respective towns. The winning song bore the Irish version of the town's name - Caisleán A' Bharraigh.

After the first contest, the emphasis changed from finding a song named after the town to one of promoting the town through attracting composers from all over the world to the town. This strategy was hugely successful and the town (and some of the neighbouring towns) were thronged with contest participants for the first week of October for the remainder of the contest's life. From very humble beginnings with a mere £50 in prizes the event grew in status to a point where its prizemoney at £20,000 was bettered only by the Yamaha Song Contest in Japan.

In 1970 the contest was recorded for television by RTE (the national television station) and transmitted on the following Sunday. The 1971 and 1973 contests were similarly recorded and shown later. However, the 1974 contest was broadcast live from the Old Royal Ballroom and Theatre and Travellers Friend Hotel in Castlebar nationally on RTÉ

RTE

RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...

. Apart from 1987, when there was no contest, the event enjoyed live television coverage from 1974 until the event finished in 1988.

In 1981, the future of the song contest became political when it was debated in Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...

.

Winners

Year	Section	Composer	Singer(s)	Song Title	Country
1966	Overall	Sheila Fawsitt-Stewart	Dragoons	Caisleán A' Bharraigh
1967	Folk/Ballad	Peter McKenzie	McLoughlin Folk Group	Where Did They Go
1967	Pop	Vera Traynor	Butch Moore	No One Else
1967	Straight	Andy Galligan	Joan Connolly	One and One
1968	Folk/Ballad	Joe Burkett/Tony Hyland	City Folk	Dividing Line
1968	Pop	Eileen Coyle	Tony Keeling	The World is Ours Today
1968	Straight	Sean Sharkey/Eddie Masterson	Pat Lynch & Airchords	Reflections of You
1969	Folk/Ballad	Ruth Kiernan	Tara Folk	Soldier Boy
1969	Pop	Mai O'Higgins/Joan McBreen	Gary Street & Fairways	Jodi
1969	Straight	Pat Walsh	Joe Doherty & Millionaires	A Country & Western Song
1970	Folk/Ballad	Noel & Ann Connaughton	Melody Fayre	Mary I'm Nay Leaving You
1970	Pop	John Lavery	Gerry & Ohio	One Step Away
1970	Straight	Seamus McHugh/John Fahy	Red Hurley	The World Is Such An Empty Place
1971	Folk/Ballad	Vic Dawton	Joe Cuddy	Diana of the Roses
1971	Pop	Michael Murphy	La Salle	Feeling I've Got It Made
1971	Country	Donal McGrath/K. Doohan	Ian Corrigan	Slumbering Goldmine
1971	Overall	Michael Murphy	La Salle	Feeling I've Got It Made
1972	Folk/Ballad	Sheila Roberts	Frank Holder	Song for Jenny
1972	Pop	Dick Farrelly Dick Farrelly Dick Farrelly born Richard Farrelly was an Irish songwriter, policeman and poet, composer of "The Isle of Innisfree", the song for which he is best remembered. His parents were publicans and when Dick was twenty-three he left Kells, County Meath for Dublin to join the Irish Police Force...	Mary Lou	That's What Love Is Made Of
1972	Country	Teresa O'Donnell	Gerry Cronin	He Travels Fastest
1972	Straight	Pat Coyle	Helen Jordan	Shall I Ride
1972	Overall	Sheila Roberts	Frank Holder	Song for Jenny
1973	Overall	Vince Hill/Ernie Dunstall	Joe Cuddy	I'm Gonna Make It
1974	Overall	Cathal Dunne	Cathal Dunne	Shalom
1974	Country	Tibor Koncz/Iván Szenes	Kati Kovács Kati Kovács Kati Kovács is a Hungarian singer and actress.She became first famous nationally in 1965 when she won the seminal TV talent show in Hungary “Who Knows What?”...	It Would Be So Good To See You Again
1975	Overall	Joe Burkett/Andy Galligan	Des Smyth	Roulette
1976	Joint Winners	Ray Davies Teresa O'Donnell/Joe Bollard	Tony Steven Teresa O'Donnell/Joe Bollard	My Woman Let's Star All Over
1977	Overall	John Brown	John Brown/Mary Clifford	You are My Destiny
1978	Overall	Sarah Byron/Liam Hurley	Sarah Bryan	Onion
1979	Overall	Zack Laurence/Paul Ferguson	Kim Goody	Talkin' to a Stone
1980	Overall	Ed Welch/Barry Mason	Linda Jardim	Don't Stay for the Sake of the Children
1981	Overall	Miki Anthony/Robin Smith	Carol Kenyon	I Wasn't Born Yesterday
1982	Overall	Barry Mason/Don Gould	Barry Mason	Big Enough for Me & You
1983	Overall	Shay Healy Shay Healy Shay Healy is an Irish songwriter, broadcaster and journalist. He is best known for his role as host of Nighthawks, a RTÉ Television chat show of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and for composing "What's Another Year", Ireland's winning entry in the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest.-Early life:Shay...	Linda Martin	Edge of the Universe
1984	Overall	Brian O'Reilly	Brian O'Reilly	Spread Your Wings
1985	Overall	Ulf Nordquist	Sten & Stanley	Don't Play A Sad Song After Midnight
1986	Overall	Tim Norell & Ola Håkonsson	KATZ	Oh, Johnny Dance With Me Tonight
1988	Overall	Brendan Graham	Linda Martin	If I Should Ever Lose Your Love

Juries

=Year=	Name	Organisation	Country	=Year=	Name	Organisation	Country
1966	Sean Dunphy Joe McCarthy Johnny McEvoy Des Moore Terry O'Sullivan Patsy Dyke Tom Hennigan	Hoedowners Showband Dixies Showband Ramblers Folk Group Irish Independent Evening Herald Sunday Press Evening Press	Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland	1967	Sean Dunphy Dickie Rock Brendan Bowyer Joe McCarthy Shay O'Hara Johnny McEvoy Frances Hall Lord Altamount Tom Hennigan Noel Conway Billy Duffy Terry O'Sullivan Des Moore	Hoedowners Showband Miami Showband Royal Showband Dixies Showband Royal Blues Singer/Songwriter Composer Westport House Evening Herald Irish Press Evening Press Evening Press Sunday Independent	Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland
1968				1969	Shea Cribben D. J. Curtin Roly Daniels Sean Dunphy Pat Ely Dermot Hegarty Bill Henrique George Kay Kelly Johnny Kelly Tony Kenny Big Tom Pat McGeegan Butch Moore Mike O'Brien Gene Stuart John Coughlan Tom Hennigan Ken Stewart Jan Kaye Billy Duffy Michael Hand Shay Healy Gerard O'Grady Michael Ó hUanacháin John Woods	Riviera Showband Kerry Blues Nevada Showband Hoedowners Smokey Mtn. Ramblers Plainsmen Virginians Smokey Mtn. Ramblers Nevada Capitol Showband The Sands The Mainliners Big Four Capitol Showband Real McCoy Mighty Avons New Spotlight Evening Herald Evening Press Emerald Records Evening Press Sunday Press Singer/Songwriter Evening Press R. T. E. Pye Records	Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland
1970	Doc Carroll Brian Coll Shea Cribben D. J. Curtin Tommy Drennan Sean Dunphy Pat Ely Gregory Dermot Hegarty Tony Hughes Red Hurley Big Tom Tony Kenny Frankie McBride Jim Nash Tony O'Leary Joe Quigley Gary Street Gene Stuart Jim Swarbrigg Jim Tobin Mervyn Solomon John Coughlan Jim Dunne Ken Stewart Tony Wilson Bill O'Donovan	Royal Blues Buckaroos Riviera Kerry Blues Monarchs Hoedowners Smokey Mountain Ramblers Nashville Ramblers Plainsmen Cotton Mill Boys Wheels Mainliners Sands Polka Dots Swallows Capitol Royal Blues Tom Kelly Sound Mighty Avons Times Firehouse Emerald Records New Spotlight Sunday Mirror Evening Press Evening Herald RTE	Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland	1971	John Woods Rev Brian Darcy Billy Duffy Michael Hand Ken Stewart Michael Clare Tom Hennigan Kevin Roche	Pye Records Editor 'The Cross' Evening Press Sunday Press Radio Presenter Record Retailer Evening Herald RTÉ	Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland
1972	Michael Clare Rev Brian Darcy Tommy Ellis Doug Fleet Mike Hennessy Kevin Roche Ml Geoghegan Des Moore Terry O'Sullivan Tom Hennigan	Music Week Music Gazette Emma Music Songwriters Guild Billboard RTÉ Irish Record Factors Sunday Independent Evening Press Evening Herald	Ireland Ireland Ireland England Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland	1973	Ml Geoghegan Mike Hennessy Michael Casey John Woods Michael O'Riordan	Irish Records Factors Billboard RTÉ Polydor Records Release Records	Ireland England Ireland Ireland Ireland
1974	Kevin Roche Anick Descoubes Mike Hennessy Bob Barratt Les Reed	RTÉ Composer Billboard Songwriters' Guild Composer/Songwriter	Ireland France England England England	1975	Jimmy Kennedy John McHale Espem Erikson Tony Janssens Ed Welch	Songwriter CISC Director Intl Impressario Record Producer Composer/Arranger	Ireland Ireland Norway Belgium England
1976	Jimmy Kennedy Teddy Holmes Ml O'Riordan Harry Gold Jim Torrance Tony McNieve	Composer Chappell Music Release Records Arranger Songwriter Music Promoter	Ireland England Ireland England USA Ireland	1977	Kevin Roche Steve Allen Kathy Nugent Jorgen Skov Mike Hennessy Jure Robeznik	RTÉ Radio 1 BBC Radio 2 Professional Singer Denmark Radio Billboard Composer/Arranger	Ireland England Ireland Denmark England Yugoslavia
1978	Pierre Cour Michael Murphy Ingrid Blum Dave Gold Nigel Hunter	Eurovision Winner Newsreader/Composer Music Journalist Composer/Arranger Music Week	France Ireland Germany England England	1979	Brian Willey Ans Von Derveekern Vera Morgan Frank Patterson Werner Buttstaedt Bill Cochran	Ivor Novello Awards Editor Limburg Dagblad Singer/Actress Tenor TV Presenter Songwriters Guild	England Holland Ireland Ireland Germany England
1980	Brian Willey Shay Healy Joe Delaney Armado Moreno Susan Moynihan Harald Heinzinger Paddy McGuinness	Performing Rights Society Eurovision Winner Las Vegas Producer President FIDOF Music Student Phonographic Academy Chamber of Commerce	England Ireland USA Yugoslavia Ireland Germany Ireland	1981	Valerie Avon Uri Alony Lawrence Ross Adele King (Twink) Joe Harris Iain Sutherland Liam Hurley Philip Green	Singer/Composer Radio Presenter ASCAP TV Presenter Nashville Conventions Conductor Arranger Composer	England Israel England Ireland USA England Ireland England
1982	Michael Murphy Billy Wall Joe Delaney Tim Van Baek Paddy McGuinness Reg Tilsley	Songwriter Radio Producer Broadcaster Concert Pianist CISC Composer/Arranger	Ireland Ireland USA Germany Ireland England	1983	Des Gilroy Carolyn Fisher Roy Tempest Eva Nagl Peter Horak Henry McGlade	Berger Paints RTÉ Music Publisher Music Tourism Bratislavia Lyra CISC	Ireland Ireland England Austria Slovakia Ireland
1984	Des Gilroy Eva Nagl Roy Tempest Henry McGlade Peter Horak Carolyn Fisher	Berger Paints Music Columnist Composer/Publisher Contest Director 1981 Bratislavia Song Festival Television Presenter	Ireland Austria England Ireland Slovakia Ireland	1985	Des Gilroy Maxi Karl Markhardt Richard Gillinson Henry McGlade Dariusz Michalski Annette Griffin	Berger Paint Radio Presenter Disc Jockey Composer/Publisher CISC TV Producer Singer	Ireland Ireland Austria England Ireland Poland Ireland
1986	Des Gilroy Gisela O'Connor John McHale Paddy McGuinness Sean Horkan David Flood Peadar Flynn	Berger Paints Composers' Liaison Officer CISC Director 1966-1974 CISC Director 1975-1977/1981/1983 CISC Director 1978-1979 CISC Director 1980 CISC Director 1984-1986	Ireland Germany Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland	1988	Frank Flannery Michael Hughes Johnny Carroll Karen McMahon Kevin Hough Michelle Rocca Jim Kavanagh	ReHab - Sponsor NCF - Sponsor Irish Showbands Western Rose 1988 RTÉ RTÉ CISC	Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland Ireland

Guest Artists

=Year=	Guest Artist(s)	=Year=	Guest Artist(s)	=Year=	Guest Artist(s)
1966	Denis Franks Tom & Paschal Deirdre McDaniel Gerry & The Ohio Andrea & The Saints Swingtime Aces Larry Cunningham Larry Cunningham Larry Cunningham is an Irish country music singer, who was one of the leading figures of the showband scene in the 1960s and 1970s.-Life and career:...  & The Mighty Avons Dermot O'Brien Johnny Flynn The Saints The Leaders	1967	Brendan Bowyer Tom & Paschal Joe Dolan Sean Dunphy Dickie Rock Shay O'Hara Doc Carroll Joe McCarthy Riviera Showband Frielmen Jack Ruane Royal Chords Gerry & The Ohio The Times Johnny McEvoy Coterie Four Kelly's Ballad Group St. Mary's Showband Beat Minstrels The Exciters The Dubliners Ollie Maloney Frankie Forde Swingtime Aces Muriel Brennan San Antones Don & The Legionaires	1968	Emmet Spiceland Frank O'Donovan Charlie Byrne Noel Healy Johnny Luther Fr. Michael Cleary Roberto & Kavie Tony Kenny Pat McGeegan Art Supple Big Tom The Moy Folk The Kelly Folk Group Frankie Forde Shay Healy Shay Healy Shay Healy is an Irish songwriter, broadcaster and journalist. He is best known for his role as host of Nighthawks, a RTÉ Television chat show of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and for composing "What's Another Year", Ireland's winning entry in the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest.-Early life:Shay... Brendan O'Brien Pat Lynch Tommy Ellis Trio The Johnsons Sweeney's Men Eugene Lambert Patricia Cahill George B. Jordan The Recordites Frankie McBride
1969	Fr. Michael Cleary Pat McGeegan & Big Four The Dubliners Ivy Folk Bill Quinn The Abilene The Recordites	1970	The Recordites Johnny Regan The Pattersons Patricia Cahill Charlie Byrne Weaver Folk Bridín Gilroy Marie Devine Dana Shay Healy Wolfe Tones Coterie Gingermen Ivy Folk The Mountaineers	1971	Johnny McEvoy The Pattersons Tommy Fee Anna McGoldrick The Rib Ticklers Liam Clancy John McNally The Coterie Angela Farrell Joe O'Toole & The Apples
1972	Horslips Barley Corn Shay Healy David Beggs La Salle Cecil Sheridan Cecil Sheridan Cecil Sheridan was an Irish comedian and actor who performed in variety shows and pantomimes in Ireland and Great Britain during a versatile career spanning over forty years.-Early life:...	1973		1974
1975	Tony Kenny Paddy Reilly Frank Kelly Cahir O'Doherty & Dazzle Band Dermot O'Brien Christy Moore Eamonn Morrissey Shaskeen Shaskeen Shaskeen is a musical group, based in Ireland, which performs Irish traditional music. It was formed in the 1970s and was still performing and recording as of 2010.- Albums : is maintained at the band's own Web site... Peggy Dell Peggy Dell Margaret Tisdall , better known by her stage name Peggy Dell, was an Irish singer and pianist who became a popular music hall entertainer.... Eithne Troy Austin Gaffney	1976	Sonny Knowles Brendan Grace Tony Kenny Des Smyth Frank Carson	1977	Berni Flint Colm C. T. Wilkinson Red Hurley Billy Brown Gemma Graven Acker Bilk
1978	Tony Kenny Joe Dolan Wolfe Tones Mary O'Hara Mary Sheridan	1979	Gloria Joe Cuddy Brendan Bowyer The Furey Brothers/Davey Arthur The Bachelors	1980	Peters & Lee Barbara Dickson The Chieftains Johnny Logan
1981	Donnacha O'Dualing The Bards Susan McCann Stockton's Wing The Wolfe Tones Kenny Ball	1982	Frank McCaffrey Joe Dolan Wolfe Tones Brendan Grace Clifford T Ward	1983	Ralph McTell Brendan O'Brien & The Dixies Susan McCann Paddy Cole Hank Locklin
1984	Joe Dolan Christy Moore Johnny McEvoy	1985		1986	Trish O'Brien Tony Stevens Johnny Logan
1988

Orchestras

Year	Name	Instrument	Year	Name	Instrument	Year	Name	Instrument
1966			1967			1968
1969			1970			1971
1972			1973	Colman Pearce	Conductor..............	1974
1975	Colman Pearce Audrey Park	Conductor Leader	1976			1977
1978	Noel Keelehan Audrey Park Loretto Nelson Clodagh McSwiney Teresa Costello Eileen Kohlmann Patrick Fitzgerald David Lillis Authur McIver Donal Roche Doris Lawlor Siobhán Ní Cheileachair Martin Walsh	Conductor Leader First Violin First Violin First Violin First Violin First Violin First Violin Second Violin Second Violin Second Violin Second Violin Bass		Kathleen Behan Christine Cooley Nora Gilleece William Dowdall Ann Kinsella Peter Healy Patricia Harrison John Finucane Damien Frame James Bolger Benny McNeill Joseph Cassells Mike Nolan	Cello Cello Cello Flute Flute Oboe Oboe Clarinet Clarinet Bassoon Trumpet Trumpet Trumpet		Fergus O'Carroll Lorraine Fox David Weakley John Tate Harry Knowles John Fennessy John Wadham Helen Davies Richie Burbridge Dick Keating Eamon Campbell Pat Dunleavy Frank Murphy	Horn Horn Trombone Trombone Trombone Percussion Percussion Harp Keyboards Keyboards Guitar Librarian Manager
1979	Jim Doherty Jim Farley Ken Aust John Curran Keith Donald Roger McGuinness	Musical Director Alto Saxophone Alto Saxophone Tenor Saxophone Tenor Saxophone Baritone Saxophone		Joe McIntyre Mike Nolan Earl Gill Jack Bayle Victor Prouse Sean Hearns	Trumpet Trumpet Trumpet Trombone Trombone Trombone		Des Reynolds John Wadham Des Moore John Drummond Dick Keating	Percussion Drums Lead Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboards
1980
1981
1982	Noel Keelehan	Conductor
1983
1984	Andy O'Callaghan Pat Fitzpatrick Dick Keating Andy O'Callaghan Des Moore Tommy Donoghue	Musical Director Acoustic Piano Electric Piano Synthesiser Guitar Guitar		John Drummond Dessie Reynolds Bernard Reilly Mike Nolan Tom Bourke Victor Prouse	Base Drums Percussion Trumpet Trumpet Trombone		Fergal O'Callaghan John Curran Pat Reilly Anne Bushnell Rita Madigan	Horn Tenor Saxophone Backing Vocals Backing Vocals Backing Vocals
1985	Andy O'Callaghan Earl Gill Mike Nolan Victor Prouse John Curran	Musical Director Trumpet Trumpet Trombone Woodwind		Fergal O'Callaghan Dessie Reynolds Des Moore Eamon Campbell John Drummond	Horn Drums Guitar Guitar Base		Pat Fitzpatrick Noel Keeleghan Bernard Reilly Rita Madigan Pat Reilly	Keyboards Piano Percussion Backing Vocals Backing Vocals
1986	Andy O'Callaghan Earl Gill Stephen McDonald Brian Jack John Curran	Musical Director..... Trumpet Trumpet French Horn Woodwind		Victor Prouse Des Moore Eamon Campbell John Drummond	Trombone Guitar Guitar Bass		Dessie Reynolds Bernard Reilly Noel Keeleghan Chris Kenevey	Drums Percussion Piano Keyboards
1988

Comperes

=Year=	Name	=Year=	Name	=Year=	Name	=Year=	Name
1966	Gay Byrne	1967	Heats Gay Byrne Mike Murphy Din Joe Prizewinners Concert David Timlin	1968	Heats Larry Gogan Terry Wogan Frank Hall Prizewinners Concert Des Keogh	1969	Heats Gay Byrne Shay Healy Prizewinners Concert Des Keogh
1970	Heats Gay Byrne Frank Hall Shay Healy Prizewinners Concert Des Keogh	1971	Heats Shay Healy Des Keogh	1972	Heats Shay Healy Prizewinners Concert Mike Murphy	1973	Heats Des Keogh Valerie McGovern Prizewinners Concert
1974	Heats Des Keogh Prizewinners Concert Mike Murphy	1975	Heats Brendan Balfe Larry Gogan Des Keogh Liam Devalley Finals Mike Murphy	1976	Heats Val Joyce Larry Gogan Pat Kenny Finals Terry Wogan Terry Wogan Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...	1977	Heats Michael Murphy Val Joyce Larry Gogan Finals Terry Wogan Terry Wogan Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...  -
1978	Heats Gay Byrne Mike Murphy Val Joyce Finals Mike Murphy	1979	Heats Gay Byrne Ronan Collins Ronan Collins Ronan Collins is an Irish radio and television presenter. His radio show on RTÉ Radio 1 has been running for many years. He began his national radio career on RTÉ Radio 2, having worked on pirate radio. He presented the celebrity game show Play the Game from 1984 to 1995... Val Joyce Finals Mike Murphy	1980	Heats Val Joyce Ronan Collins Paschal Mooney Finals Ruth Buchanan & Mike Murphy	1981	Heats Val Joyce Ronan Collins Jim O'Neill Finals Mike Murphy
1982	Heats Donncadha O'Dualing Adele King [Twink] Val Joyce Finals Mike Murphy Paul Clarke	1983	Heats Val Joyce Dermot Langan Red Hurley Finals Mike Murphy	1984	Heats Val Joyce Dermot Langan Finals Mike Murphy	1985	Heats Finals
1986	Michael Murphy	1988	Shay Healy

RTÉ Production Team

Year	Producer	Design	Lighting	Sound	Crew Members
1967
1968
1969
1970	Jeremy Swan	Quentin Mitchel
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977	Ian McGarry	Jim O'Hare	Paddy Brady	Charles Byrne	Don Farrell (Graphics); Gerry Fitzgerald (Radio Sound);
1978	Ian McGarry	Jim O'Hare	Paddy Brady	Charles Byrne	Don Farrell (Graphics); Gerry Fitzgerald (Radio Sound);
1979	Ian McGarry	Jim O'Hare
1980	Ian McGarry	Jim O'Hare	Paddy Brady	Charles Byrne	Don Farrell (Graphics);
1981	Ian McGarry	Jim O'Hare	Paddy Brady	Charles Byrne
1982	Ian McGarry	Michael Grogan	Paddy Brady	Charlie Byrne
1983
1984	Ian McGarry	Michael Grogan	Paddy Brady	Sean Clancy {Private}
1985	Ian McGarry	Michael Grogan	Paddy Brady	Sean Clancy {Private}
1986	Ian McGarry	Alan Farquharson	Paddy Brady	Jack Peoples	Irene Hayden, Rae Lindsay, Bill Cadwell, Paddy Robinson, Don Irwin, Walter Harrington, Dermot Flanagan, Theo O'Grady, Peter Butler, Mick Murray, Des Long, Tony Gannon, Wendy Pleass, John Havelin, Ann Quinn, Joe Kavanagh, Andy Hersey and Sean Lacken.

Organising Committees

Year	Director	Secretary	Treasurer(s)	International Relations	Press Officer	Committee Members
1966	Michael Joe Egan	John McHale				Paddy Jennings, Gerry McDonald, Lex Creedon, Thomas F. Durcan, Paddy Irwin.
1967	John McHale	Tom Gillespie				Gerry McDonald, Paddy Irwin, Thomas F. Durcan. Stage Management: Anton Condon & Paddy McGuinness
1968	John McHale	Tom Gillespie	Paddy Irwin			Gerry McDonald, Frank O'Brien, Thomas F. Durcan Stage Management: Anton Condon & Paddy McGuinness
1969	John McHale	Tom Gillespie	Paddy Irwin			Michael J. Egan, Chairman, Gerry McDonald, Francis O'Brien, Thomas F. Durcan. Stage Management: Anton Condon & Paddy McGuinness
1970	John McHale	Tom Gillespie	Paddy Irwin			Michael J. Egan, Chairman; Rev. Thomas Shannon, Musical Director; Gerry McDonald, Francis O'Brien, Thomas F. Durcan, P. J. Hennelly. Stage Management: Anton Condon & Paddy McGuinness
1971	John McHale	Sean Rice	Colm O'Reilly			Michael J. Egan, President; Frank Murphy, Musical Director; Gerry McDonald, P. J. Hennelly, Larry Hingerton, Patrick Irwin. Stage Management: Anton Condon & Paddy McGuinness. Producer: Tom McGrath.
1972	John McHale	Sean Rice	Colm O'Reilly			Michael J. Egan, President; Richie Burbridge, Musical Director; Frank Murphy, Musical Advisor; Gerry McDonald, P. J. Hennelly, Larry Hingerton, Patrick Irwin. Stage Management: Anton Condon & Paddy McGuinness. Producer: Tom McGrath.
1973	John McHale	Sean Rice	Colm O'Reilly			Michael J. Egan, President; Gerry McDonald, P. J. Hennelly, Tom Gillespie, Larry Hingerton, Tom Rowley, Sean Horkan, Patrick Irwin. Set Design: Jim O'Haire. Stage Management: Paddy McGuinness. Producer: Tom McGrath.
1974	John McHale	Tom Gillespie	Colm O'Reilly	Gisela O'Connor		Michael J. Egan, President; Gerry McDonald, P. J. Hennelly, Tom Gillespie, Larry Hingerton, Tom Rowley, Sean Horkan, Patrick Irwin, Vincent McDermott, Stephen Burns, Dermot Fahey, Jim Kavanagh, Frankie Forde, Margaret Mandel, Derek Mandel, John Durcan, Michael Cuffe, Nat Ruane, Sean Horkan. Set Design: Jim O'Haire. Stage Management: Paddy McGuinness. Producer: Tom McGrath.
1975	Paddy McGuinness	Tom Gillespie	Sean Horkan Dermot Fahey	Gisela O'Connor	Tom Courell	M. J. Egan, (President); Nancy O'Brien, John Healy, Sean Rice, Frank Nolan, Gerry McDonald, Angela Corcoran, Sue Murphy, Michael McDermott, Paddy McGuinness, Lynda Colgan, Stephen Burns, Jim Kavanagh, Tom O'Dea, Tom Shiel, P. J. Hennelly, Derek Mandel, Margaret Mandel, Tom Rowley, Vincent McDermott, Heather Heneghan and Frankie Waldron.
1976	Paddy McGuinness	Tom Gillespie	Sean Horkan Dermot Fahey	Gisela O'Connor	Tom Courell	M. J. Egan, (President); John McHale, (Vice President); Colm O'Reilly, (Irish Liaison Officer); John Healy, Sean Rice, Frank Nolan, Ger Lavelle, Gerry McDonald, Angela Corcoran, Michael Groarke, Heather Heneghan, Michael Cuffe, Jim Kavanagh, Joe Murtagh, Tom O'Dea, Tom Shiel, P. J. Hennelly, Willie Fahey, Nat Ruane, Derek Mandel, Tom Rowley, John Durcan, Frankie Waldron, Larry Hingerton and James Cahill.
1977	Paddy McGuinness	Tom Gillespie	Dermot Fahey Tom O'Dea	Gisela O'Connor	Tom Courell	M. J. Egan, (President); John McHale, (Vice President); Colm O'Reilly, (Irish Liaison Officer); Sean Horkan, Sean Rice, Frank Nolan, Ger Lavelle, Gerry McDonald, Angela Corcoran, Michael Groarke, Heather Heneghan, Jim Kavanagh, Joe Murtagh, P. J. Hennelly, Willie Fahey, Derek Mandel, Frankie Waldron, Larry Hingerton, Henry McGlade, Paddy Gormally, .
1978	Sean Horkan	Tom Gillespie	Jim Kavanagh Brendan O'Hara	Gisela O'Connor	Tom Courell	M. J. Egan, (President); John McHale, (Vice President); Paddy McGuinness, (Vice President); Dermot Fahey, (Artistic Director); Jim Kavanagh, (Joint Treasurer); Brendan O'Hara, (Joint Treasurer); Gisela O'Connor, (International Relations Officer); Tom Courell, (Public Relations Officer); Colm O'Reilly, (Irish Liaison Officer); John Healy, Paddy Bourke; Sean Rice, Frank Nolan, Paddy Gormally, Gerry McDonald, Angela Corcoran, Sue Murphy, Noel Rogan, Billy Irwin, Heather Heneghan, Dave McHale, Benny Martin, Joe Murtagh, Tom McNamara, P. J. Hennelly, Willie Fahey, Eileen Dunleavy, Derek Mandel, Margaret Mandel, Henry McGlade, Frankie Waldron, and Marion Beirne. Stewards: Pat Quigley, Eddie Egan, Michael O'Donnell, Val Donegan, Paddy Glynn, Sean Mellett, Sean Coakley, Iosaf McGowan, Stephen Burns, Sean Taylor, Brendan Parsons, John McHugh, Michael Cuffe, Kieran Mongey, Vincent Ward and Sean Hopkins.
1979	Sean Horkan		Jim Kavanagh Brendan O'Hara	Gisela O'Connor	Tom Courell
1980	David J. Flood	Marian Beirne	Jim Kavanagh Brendan O'Hara	Gisela O'Connor	Tom Courell	Michael J. Egan (President, Sean Horkan (Vice President), Paddy McGuinness (Vice President), Colm O'Reilly (Irish Liaison Officer), Pat Jennings, Frank Nolan, Billy Irwin, Willie Fahy, Joe Murtagh, Margaret Mandel, Derek Mandel, Paddy Gormally, Frankie Waldron, Angela Corcoran, Benny Martin, P. J. Hennelly, Heather Heneghan, Dave McHale, Henry McGlade, Des Byrne, Dermot Fahey, Eileen Dunleavy, Maureen Donahue, Jim Donahue, Seamus Cashin, Gerry Walshe.
1981	Paddy McGuinness			Gisela O'Connor		M. J. Egan, (President); Sean Horkan, (Vice President); Daid J. Flood, (Sponsorship Director); Jim Kavanagh, (Joint Treasurer); Brendan O'Hara, (Joint Treasurer); Tom Courell, (Press Officer); Colm O'Reilly, (Irish Liaison Officer); Henry McGlade, (Public Relations Officer); Marian Beirne, Frank Nolan, Willie Fahey, Derek Mandel, Margaret Mandel, Paddy Gormally, Frankie Waldron, Billy Irwin, Benny Martin, Dave McHale, Des Byrne, Eileen Dunleavy, Maureen Donahue, Jim Donahue, Pat Jennings, Gerry Walsh, Gerry Tonra, Una Hughes, Tom Gillespie and Padraic Dolan.
1982	Henry McGlade	Marian Beirne Una Hughes	Jim Kavanagh Brendan O'Hara	Gisela O'Connor	Tom Courell	M. J. Egan, (President); Sean Horkan, (Vice President); David J. Flood, (Vice President);Frank Nolan (Vice President), Paddy McGuinness (Vice President), Colm O'Reilly, (Irish Liaison Officer); Peadar Flynn & Padraic Walshe(Finance), Pat Doherty (Promotions), Willie Fahey, Derek Mandel, Margaret Mandel, Paddy Gormally, Frankie Waldron, Billy Irwin, Benny Martin, Dave McHale, Des Byrne, Eileen Dunleavy, Maureen Donahue, Jim Donahue, Pat Jennings, Gerry Walsh, Kevin Coady, Eamon Donelon, Linda Gilroy, Catriona O'Farrell, Marion Silke, John Melvin, Breda Coady, Paddy Kenny, Martina Nevin, Concepta Cannon, Mary Walshe, Rory O'Connor, Marion McKeon and Padraic Dolan.
1983	Paddy McGuinness	Marian Beirne	Jim Kavanagh	Gisela O'Connor	Tom Courell	M. J. Egan, (President); Sean Horkan, (Vice President); David J. Flood, (Vice President);Frank Nolan (Vice President), Colm O'Reilly, Peadar Flynn, Padraic Walshe, Pat Doherty, Willie Fahey, Derek Mandel, Margaret Mandel, Paddy Gormally, Frankie Waldron, Billy Irwin, Benny Martin, Dave McHale, Des Byrne, Eileen Dunleavy, Maureen Donahue, Jim Donahue, Pat Jennings, Gerry Walsh, Linda Gilroy, Catriona O'Farrell, Marion Silke, Maurice Silke, Una Hughes, Teresa Casey, Tom Jennings, Tony Cawley, John Browne, Seán Ó'Healaí, Anton Condon, Gearóid Browne and Padraic Dolan. Stewards: Pat Quigley, Iosaf McGowan, Eddie Egan, Vincent Murphy, Stephen Burns, Chris Creighton, Brendan Parsons, Pat Gormley, Tommy Walshe and Sean Hopkins. Stage Construction: Padraic O'Malley, Tony Green & Gus Gavin.
1984	Peadar Flynn	Gisela O'Connor				Marion Beirne, Jim Kavanagh, Tom Courell, Peadar Flynn, Pat Doherty, Jim Donohue, Maureen Donohue, Dave McHale, Maurice Silke, Marion Silke, Una Hughes, Linda Gilroy, Teresa Casey, Billy Irwin, Gerry Walshe, Tom Jennings, Des Byrne, John Browne, Sean O'Healai, Anton Condon, Gearoid Browne, Frankie Waldron, Paul Waldron, Joe Maguire, Heather Heneghan, Pat Jennings, Tony Cawley, Derek Mandel, Margaret Mandel, Colm O'Reilly, Iosaf McGowan, Benny Martin, Eddie Egan, Pat Quigley, Willie Fahey, Pat Gormley, Sean Hopkins, Chris Creighton, Stephen Burns, Vincent Murphy, Tommy Walshe, Padraic O'Malley, Tony Green, Gus Gavin.
1985	Peadar Flynn	Marion Beirne	Jim Kavanagh	Gisela O'Connor	Tom Gillespie Tom Courell	Michael Joe Egan, President; Sean Horkan, Vice President; David Flood, Vice President; John McHale, Vice President; Frank Nolan, Vice President; Henry McGlade, Vice President; Paddy McGuinness, Vice President; Pat Doherty, Frankie Waldron, Dave McHale, Teresa Casey, Paul Murphy, Liz Collins, Ailish Tuite, Kieran Tuite, Noreen Byrne, Pat Jennings, Eamonn Courell, Colm O'Reilly, Des Byrne, Anton Condon, Geróid Browne. Stage Construction: Padraic O'Malley & Gus Gavin
1986	Paddy McGuinness	Ailish Tuite	Kieran Tuite	Gisala O'Connor	Tom Courell Tom Gillespie	Michael Joe Egan, President; Sean Horkan, Vice President; David Flood, Vice President; John McHale, Vice President; Frank Nolan, Vice President; Henry McGlade, Vice President; Paddy McGuinness, Vice President; Pat Doherty, Public Relations; Liz Collins, Tom Jennings, Donal O'Dwyer, Eamon Courell, Padraic Walsh, Paul Murphy, Kevin McNicholas, Dave McHale, Gerry McHale. Stage Construction: Padraic O'Malley & Ray King. Bunting & Banners: Denis Conaty, Sean Hopkins & Brendan Howie.
1988	Paul Murphy

Other Song Contests

• Eurovision Song Contest
  Eurovision Song Contest
  The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
  
  -The biggest and most famous Song Contest.
• Asia-Pacific Song Contest—Asia-Pacific version.
• Junior Eurovision Song Contest
  Junior Eurovision Song Contest
  The Junior Eurovision Song Contest , is an international song competition which has been organised by the European Broadcasting Union annually since 2003 and is open exclusively to broadcasters that are members of the EBU. It is held in a different European city each year.The competition has many...
  
  —held annually since 2003, for artists under the age of 16.
• MGP Nordic
  MGP Nordic
  MGP Nordic is a Scandinavian song contest for children aged 8 to 15, organized by DR, NRK, SVT and YLE through FST5...
  
  —Nordic contest similar to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
• Sopot International Song Festival
  Sopot International Song Festival
  The Sopot International Song Festival is an international song contest held in Sopot, Poland. It was the biggest Polish music festival altogether with the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole, and one of the biggest annual song contest in Europe...
  
  —held in Sopot
  Sopot
  Sopot is a seaside town in Eastern Pomerania on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea in northern Poland, with a population of approximately 40,000....
  
  , Poland, annually since 1961.
• Intervision Song Contest
  Intervision Song Contest
  The Intervision Song Contest was the Eastern Bloc equivalent to the Eurovision Song Contest. Its organiser was the Intervision, the network of Eastern Europe television stations. It took place in the Forest Opera in Sopot, Poland....
  
  —held by the Eastern bloc
  Eastern bloc
  The term Eastern Bloc or Communist Bloc refers to the former communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, generally the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact...
  
   countries between 1977 and 1980.
• World Oriental Music Festival—first held in Sarajevo
  Sarajevo
  Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
  
   in 2005; includes participants from Europe and Asia.
• Bundesvision Song Contest
  Bundesvision Song Contest
  The Bundesvision Song Contest is an annual competition created by German TV entertainer Stefan Raab in 2005. For each of the 16 states of Germany a song is chosen by regional radio stations. The songs are performed on live television in order to find the most popular song in the competition...
  
  —held annually between the 16 states of Germany
  Germany
  Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
  
   since 2005.
• Baltic Song Contest—held annually in Karlshamn
  Karlshamn
  Karlshamn is a locality and the seat of Karlshamn Municipality in Blekinge County, Sweden with 12,957 inhabitants of the city core and 30 918 in the municipality ....
  
  , Sweden
  Sweden
  Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
  
  .
• Cavan International Song Contest, County Cavan
  County Cavan
  County Cavan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Cavan. Cavan County Council is the local authority for the county...
  
  , Ireland
  Ireland
  Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
  
  .
• Viña del Mar Song Festival
  Viña del Mar International Song Festival
  The Viña del Mar International Song Festival is a music festival held annually during February since 1960 in Viña del Mar, Chile. It is considered the most important musical event in Latin America....
  
  —held in Viña del Mar
  Viña del Mar
  Viña del Mar , is a city and commune on central Chile's Pacific coast. Its long stretches of white sandy beaches are a major attraction for national and international tourists. The city is Chile's main tourist attraction. Known as "La Ciudad Jardín" , Viña del Mar is a Chilean Municipality located...
  
  , Chile, annually since 1960.
• OTI Festival
  OTI Festival
  OTI Festival was an annual singing competition, held between 1972 and 2000, among active member countries of the Organización de Televisión Iberoamericana .- Venues and Presenters :- Winners :-By country:...
  
  —Ibero-American spin-off of Eurovision, celebrated between 1972 and 2000.
• Bratislavská lýra (Bratislava song contest), Slovakia
  Slovakia
  The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
  
  .

External links

• Mr. Michael McDermott, former president of Castlebar Chamber of Commerce
• Sten & Stanley page on Swedish Wikipidia
• Irish Songwriter Dick Farrelly on Wikipedia
  Dick Farrelly
  Dick Farrelly born Richard Farrelly was an Irish songwriter, policeman and poet, composer of "The Isle of Innisfree", the song for which he is best remembered. His parents were publicans and when Dick was twenty-three he left Kells, County Meath for Dublin to join the Irish Police Force...