Ireland Extends Eurovision Boycott as RTÉ Sets Conditions for Return

Ireland will not return to the Eurovision Song Contest in May 2027, as RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst outlines the conditions for the country's potential comeback. Speaking on the RTÉ podcast Behind the Story, Bakhurst explained that the decision to extend the boycott stems from the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as public sentiment in Ireland.

Bakhurst noted that participating next year would have been extremely difficult. He emphasized that a return is unlikely unless there is a substantial shift on the ground or if Israel is excluded from the contest. However, he admitted that expelling Israel is improbable due to opposition from key European broadcasters, noting that nations like the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Austria publicly support Israel's continued participation.

Despite the ongoing Eurovision absence, Bakhurst stressed that RTÉ maintains strong and positive relations with the European Broadcasting Union across other domains. Ireland, which holds a record seven Eurovision victories alongside Sweden, previously withdrew from the 2026 contest in Vienna alongside Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain.