Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1970 with the song "All Kinds of Everything", written by Derry Lindsay and Jackie Smith, and performed by Dana. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final.[1] The entry eventually won the Eurovision Song Contest.
Before Eurovision
National Song Contest
The sixth National Song Contest was due to be held on 8 February 1970 but was postponed until Sunday 1 March 1970 because of a technicians' strike at Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ).[2] The deadline for countries to submit entries to the EBU for the Eurovision Song Contest 1970 was 23 February 1970, but RTÉ were given a three week extension.[3][4] Eight entries were chosen out of 397 submissions received by RTÉ.[5] It was broadcast live from the RTÉ studios in Dublin on RTÉ Television, and hosted by Brendan O'Reilly. The winning song was decided by 10 regional juries, each consisting of six members, throughout Ireland.[6]
Dana had previously participated in the Irish national final in 1969, and finished in second place. Both Anna McGoldrick and Tony Kenny had sung in the national contest in 1968.
Valerie McGovern commentated on RTÉ Television, and Kevin Roche on RTÉ Radio. RTÉ appointed John Skehan as its spokesperson to announce the Irish jury vote in the contest.
Every participating broadcaster assembled a jury panel of ten people. Every jury member could give one point to his or her favourite song.