# Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997

Ireland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 with the song "Mysterious Woman", written by John Farry, and performed by Marc Roberts. The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final. In addition, RTÉ was also the host broadcaster –for the fourth time in the last five years– and staged the event at the Point Theatre in Dublin –for the third time in the last four years–, after winning the previous edition with the song "The Voice" by Eimear Quinn.

## Before Eurovision
### National final
#### Réalta '97

Réalta was a radio song contest started in 1995 by RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta exclusively for Irish songs. The first edition of the contest was not related to Eurosong, but from 1996 until 1999, the recent winner of Réalta would qualify to Eurosong. The 3rd edition of Réalta took place on 22 November 1996. The running order and some of the results of Réalta '97 are unknown.
| Artist | Song | Songwriter(s) | Place |
| Aidan Coleman | "Slán go fóill" | Aidan Coleman, Pádraig Mac Fhearghusa | — |
| Ann Marie Nic Dhonnchadha | "An t-earrach" | Pádraig Ó Conghaile, Ann Marie Nic Dhonnchadha | — |
| Art Ó Dufaigh | "Gairm na seirce" | Art Ó Dufaigh | — |
| Barry Ronan | "Cailín álainn" | P.J. Flaherty, Eugene Killeen | — |
| Evelyn Curry | "Carnán cloch" | Cathal Ó Catháin, Evelyn Curry | — |
| Helen Uí Dhunáird | "Uaigneas" | Seán Ó Coisdealbha, Helen Uí Dhunáird, Jane Simmons, Steven Simmons | 1 |
| Mícheál Ó hAllmhúráin | "Tógaigí sos" | Siobhán Ní Mhurchú, Mícheál Ó hAllmhúráin | — |
| Nioclás Breathnach | "Saol búca" | Nioclás Breathnach | — |
| Seán Monaghan | "Cáwockatú" | Seán Monaghan, Danny Monaghan, Maoilre de Búrca | 2 |
| Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin | "Seo an talamh" | Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin | — |

#### Eurosong

RTÉ held the final on 9 March 1997 at the Institute of Technology in Waterford, hosted by Pat Kenny. Eight entries competed in the final and the winner, "Mysterious Woman" performed by Marc Roberts, was determined by the votes of ten regional juries.
Final – 9 March 1997 :
| Draw | Artist | Song | Songwriter(s) | Points | Place |
| 1 | Tommy Quinn | "Good Life" | Teresa Keogh | 59 | 5 |
| 2 | Miranda | "I Am Here" | Jim Walsh | 48 | 7 |
| 3 | Darren Holden | "Suddenly" | Darren Holden | 91 | 2 |
| 4 | Michelle Costelloe | "Never Far Away" | Michelle Costelloe | 45 | 8 |
| 5 | Helen Uí Dhúnaird | "Uaigneas" | Seán Ó Coisdealbha, Helen Uí Dhunáird, Jane Simmons, Steven Simmons | 54 | 6 |
| 6 | Gary O'Shaughnessy | "Love and Understanding" | Michael Heffernan, Kevin Smith | 87 | 3 |
| 7 | Maggie Toal | "My Love" | Tony Adams-Rosa | 67 | 4 |
| 8 | Marc Roberts | "Mysterious Woman" | John Farry | 99 | 1 |

## At Eurovision

Ahead of the contest, Ireland were considered one of the favourites among bookmakers to win the contest for an eighth time, featuring alongside the entries from Italy, United Kingdom, Germany and Estonia. Roberts performed 5th in the running order on the night of the contest. "Mysterious Woman" went on to be placed 2nd with 157 points. To date, this was the last time that the Irish entry placed in the top five.