What’s another year?

The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 & Marty’s Magic Eurovision Moments, Saturday, RTÉ One

There were no boom-bang-a-bangs or ding-a-dongs last year and nobody met their Waterloo but fear not, the Eurovision Song Contest is back in 2021 with a glittery bullet. is year’s extravaganza takes place in Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena and, as ever, the night’s proceedings will be accompanied by Marty Whelan’s dulcet tones. Marty’s rst trip to the song contest was in 1987, when Johnny Logan triumphed with Hold Me Now. He has been our man at the Eurovision since Sweden in 2000, when Eamonn Toal represented Ireland and Denmark took home the big prize. is year, he’ll be observing matters from afar, but that won’t stop him getting into the Eurovision spirit, as he tells Insider.

Typically, Marty, how much research and preparation goes into these big Eurovision nights?

I give it a good 10 or 15 minutes, generally! Seriously, the great thing about technology is that before I go anywhere, I can hear songs and see singers and nd out stu well in advance. e di erence is you’re only seeing videos. e song can be completely di erent when you see it performed on stage, depending on the presentation. ey could have a monkey in a cage, or they’re hoovering, or it’s Polish girls churning butter!

Do you have any pre-eurovision rituals?

I will always wear my enamel tricolour badge. And I always have my lucky socks! ey have proven to be of no value in recent years, so this year, I might be switching to lucky underpants. Another thing I will always do is dress up for the event. In days of yore, the Eurovision commentators would wear dickie-bows. For me, it’s about looking and feeling as good as I can. Another ritual is that I love to mingle with the fans before the show, but sadly, that’s not going to happen this year.

Apart from the Irish victories, what has been your most memorable Eurovision moment in 20 years of commentary?

My rst one was 1987, back when I was a small boy and Johnny Logan went and won it. I got the gig again in 2000 and have been doing it ever since. But my big memory will always be Johnny Logan: there can’t be a better night than winning the bloomin’ thing! Especially when it was my rst one.

At the risk of o ending any Irish music legends, what is your favourite Eurovision song of all time?

I’m going to put my hand on my heart and go back to 1987 and tell you that it’s Hold Me Now. I also think that Niamh Kavanagh’s In Your Eyes is one of the most beautiful songs ever heard in the Eurovision Song Contest. But because of Johnny and because of the moment, Hold Me Now will forever be my favourite.

Finally, is there ever a time when you just think to yourself, I can’t take any more boom-bang-a-bangs, Russian grannies or Polish butterchurners?

I always remember standing beside Terrywogan one year when the UK entry had been badly received and whatever had won was less than pleasing. It was kind of rainy, and I can’t remember when or where it was, but I do recall that he just looked at me and said, ‘Ah, I think I’ve had enough of this!’ For me, the night is the craic and however we do, we’ll always have a good time. at’s how I deal with it!