Yes, it's the time of year when you pay homage to the institution of the Eurovision: the annual festival of that unique pan-European showcase of "modern" music, sequins, big hair, and strange song titles is on tonight. This year, Ireland's entry is When You Need Me, a song written and composed by Belfast-born Bronagh Mullan (21) and performed by Bronagh and her sister Karen (18).
"We think we're the youngest people ever to sing for Ireland," Karen says confidently. "Hold on, though, wasn't there Dana?" interjects Bronagh. "Oh, Dana . . ." Karen says, pronouncing the name in the way one mentions Brontosaurus or Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The Mullan sisters have both been playing and performing "since we were no age", says Karen. Bronagh plays violin and piano and Karen plays the clarinet. They are good friends as well as sisters. "I'm dyslexic," Karen explains. "Bronagh has always looked out for me, and playing music together gave me the courage to believe I had talent for something."
They've already sung in Belfast's Waterfront, the Ulster Hall, the King's Hall, and the Grand Opera House - good preparation for singing for the huge Eurovision audience. They flew to Jerusalem last weekend and were joined by 17 members of their family a few days later.
Along with their musical career, both sisters have modelled in the past. Karen was the 1998 Antrim Rose at the Rose of Tralee festival: "there'll be more people coming out to Tel Aviv than came to Tralee," she says.
Aside from cheering on the sisters, the Mullan family have another reason for travelling to Israel. "Our grandfather - our father's father - is buried in Port Sudan, and none of the family has ever been out to visit the grave," explains Bronagh. Their grandfather, who was in the merchant navy, died in an accident when their father was only two. "So it'll be a very big occasion for all of us."
They have taken time off from their studies to prepare for the Eurovision, Bronagh from the College of Music in Bangor and Karen from food development in the Belfast Institute. "We're nervous, but being nervous gives us adrenaline," says Karen. They have avoided watching any of the other entrants so far.
The Mullan sisters have just released When You Need Me as a single, on the Universal label. Win or lose the competition, they would like to release an album. "We're going out with the attitude that we're going to enjoy ourselves and have a holiday," says Bronagh. "This is a great platform for us to launch our career and to be noticed."
And what will they be wearing, as they come out on stage in Jerusalem on Saturday? "It's a secret," they say in chorus. All they will reveal is that their (unmatching) dresses are being designed by Larne-based Geraldine Connon. "We're young, and we wanted what we wore to reflect that," Karen says. "They're two different dresses, but they come together well," she says. Then she grins, and offers mysteriously, "I'll just say that one part of my dress might start a whole new fashion."