Johnny Logan’s ‘Hold Me Now’ has been voted the ultimate Irish Eurovision song according to a Ladbrokes poll of 1,000 Eurovision fans.
The 1987 entry was voted the most popular Irish Eurovision song by 25% of the Irish population, while Mickey Joe Harte’s ‘We’ve Got The World Tonight’ came second with 15% of the country.
‘What’s Another Year’ also by Johnny Logan tied with ‘Rock N Roll Kids’ by Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan, both with 11% of the vote. ‘The Voice’ by Eimear Quinn trailed in last place with just 4%.
The survey, commissioned by Ladbrokes, also found that 41% of fans thought Johnny Logan was the ultimate Irish Eurovision icon. Surprisingly, 13% of respondents thought Dustin The Turkey was the most popular Irish act. 9% thought it was Linda Martin, while only 8% thought it should be Dana.
Riverdance’s debut during the interval of the 1994 Eurovision contest in Dublin was picked as the most iconic Irish Eurovision moment with over 50% of the public. 12% said it was Johnny Logan’s second Eurovision win.
When it comes to who the public want to represent Ireland in the future, 36% voted for Dermot Kennedy, 18% would like to see former One Direction star Niall Horan represent the country, while 12% would like to see Hozier do the honours.
The survey also found that 35% of the country found Gerry Ryan and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú to be their favourite Eurovision hosts of all time. This was followed by Pat Kenny and Michelle Rocca (22%) and Mary Kennedy (15%).
When it comes to a potential future act, 25% would like to see a collaboration between Johnny Logan and Eimear Quinn, while 23% would want to see Dustin the Turkey and Mickey Joe Harte collaborate. 22% said Niamh Kavanagh and Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan should get together.
The poll also uncovered which celebrities the public would like to invite to a Eurovision themed party. If they could invite anyone to a dinner, 36% would like to invite Graham Norton, 15% would opt for Dustin the Turkey and 10% would ask Jedward.
Nicola McGeady Head of PR from Ladbrokes said: It might be nearly 30 years since Michael Flatley and Jean Butler wowed a global audience with Riverdance, but our survey shows it’s still considered the most iconic Irish Eurovision moment. Dustin The Turkey came as a surprise to us, with those surveyed putting him ahead of Dana and Linda Martin!
**Poll Results
(Survey of 1000 Irish Eurovision fans, commissioned by Ladbrokes)
*Of the below, select what you believe to be the most iconic Irish Eurovision song of all time?
9% All Kinds of Everything, Dana
11% What’s Another Year, Johnny Logan
25% Hold Me Now, Johnny Logan
6% Why Me, Linda Martin
7% In Your Eyes, Niamh Kavanagh
11% Rock ‘N’ Roll Kids, Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan
4% The Voice, Eimear Quinn
6% Lipstick, Jedward
15% We’ve Got The World Tonight, Mickey Joe Harte
5% Irelande Douze Pointe, Dustin the Turkey
*Of the below, who do you think is the Ultimate Irish Eurovision Icon?
8% Dana
41% Johnny Logan
13% Dustin The Turkey
8% Jedward
8% Mickey Joe Harte
8% Linda Martin
7% Niamh Kavanagh
5% Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan
2% Eimear Quinn
*Which of the below would you say is the most iconic Irish Eurovision moment of all time?
12% Dustin the Turkey and his backing dancers performing ‘Irelande Douze Pointe’, 2008
3% Brendan Murray performing in a hot air balloon, 2017
4% Donne & Joe performing ‘Love?’ with an Irish Dancing Troop as backing dancers, 2005
50% Riverdance debut during the interval performance at Eurovision in Dublin, 1994
12% Dana being crowned the first Irish winner of Eurovision, 1970
12% Johnny Logan winning Eurovision for a second time, 1987
6% Linda Martin lifting the trophy, 1992
*Of the below, who would you most like to see representing Ireland at the Eurovision in the future?
12% Hozier
36% Dermot Kennedy
12% Imelda May
4% Bono
2% Crystal Swing
7% Christy Moore
18% Niall Horan
6% Una Healy
3% Daniel O’Donnell
*Which of the below Irish Eurovision hosts were your favourite?
22% Pat Kenny and Michelle Rocca
35% Gerry Ryan and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú
6% Doireann Ní Bhriain
2% Bernadette Ní Ghallchóir
5% Fionnuala Sweeney
15% Mary Kennedy
14% Carrie Crowley and Ronan Keating
*Of the below, who would you like to see collaborate on a Eurovision mash-up?
25% Johnny Logan and Eimear Quinn
16% Dana and Linda Martin
13% Jedward and Donna & Joe
23% Dustin the Turkey and Mickey Joe Harte
2% Niamh Kavanagh and Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan
*Of the below personalities, who would you most like to attend a Eurovision themed dinner party with?
9% Johnny Logan
3% Dana
6% Niamh Kavanagh
5% Linda Martin
6% Marty Whelan
36% Graham Norton
10% Jedward
9% Ryan Tubridy
15% Dustin the Turkey