Irish Eurovision hopes go up, up and away as Murray fails to make final

Vocalist, managed by Louis Walsh, says Kiev experience the ‘best 3 minutes of my life’

Brendan Murray: Boy in a balloon chasing the Eurovision bubble

The 20-year-old hopes to rise above the competition in the second semi-final in Kiev

Sharon Courtney playing a key role in Monaghan’s renaissance year

The top defender says the team is ready to face their old enemy, Cork, in the All- Ireland senior semi-final

Gardaí rule out foul play in Macroom house fire deaths

Chip pan believed to have caused fatal blaze that killed two men in Co Cork

Tributes paid to Macroom fire victim Noel O’Mahony

O’Mahony a popular entertainer in mid-Cork during the 1990s – a talented, lively performer

Miriam Lord: What a shame we can’t do this every year

2016 Revisited: It was the people’s Rising as they got out of bed and . . . went into town for a wander

What’s hot and what’s not this week?

We're a bit cold and miserable, it's January alright?

Pet detectives: meet the new network helping to find lost dogs

There has been an online revolution in how lost dogs are tracked, writes Patrick Freyne

Eurovision: we’ve had our Dustin moments. Will we ever do a Dana again?

As the 60th contest approaches, RTÉ’s former Eurovision bosses David Blake Knox and Julian Vignoles have charted Ireland’s successes and failures

Make-A-Wish ... for dinner cooked by Gerald Kean, served by Brent Pope and cleared by Linda Martin

And if you want to query the bill, ask for David McWilliams

Twink makes emotional appeal for missing terrier Teddy Bear

Entertainer’s other dog Bertie Ahern died last week

Pantigate, ‘Prime Time’, Eurosong: is RTÉ stuck in a loop?

Every week the broadcaster gives viewers something to talk about

Staunton leads the way as Carnacon win back their All-Ireland club crown

Mayo star ensures Donaghmoyne pay a big price for their profligacy

Dance extravaganza gets in step with ‘Ireland of today’

Riverdance founders hope to also bring Heartbeat of Home around the world

Cork collect eighth title after hard-fought win over Monaghan

Eamonn Ryan’s side had to call on all their experience and wit to find a way to win

Cork break Monaghan hearts again to take eighth title in nine years

Valerie Mulcahy kicks vital late free as Rebelettes complete three-in-a-row

Watch Ryan Dolan's Eurovision final entry

With Ireland through to the final, tell us what you think of our chances in the comments

From Dana to Jedward: our Eurovision economy

Why hasn’t Ireland won the song contest since 1996? Perhaps because the boom years didn’t chime with our traditional appeal

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