The public broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) confirmed this Thursday, September 17, that Ireland will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, which will take place in Burgas (Bulgaria) on May 11, 13 and 15. The broadcaster also announced that it will not broadcast the contest, just as happened in the recent 2026 edition.
In a brief statement, RTÉ stated that its critical stance on Israel’s participation in Eurovision “remains unchanged”, referring to the ongoing loss of life in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis affecting the territory. The Irish broadcaster also expressed its “deep concern” over the lack of independent access for international journalists to Gaza.
The decision by RTÉ comes after Ireland decided not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, citing the same reasons outlined by the broadcaster on this occasion. At the time, the Irish public broadcaster announced its withdrawal after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed that the Israeli broadcaster Kan would be allowed to participate in the contest.
Ireland was among the five countries that did not participate in the 2026 edition. Alongside it, Slovenia, Spain, Iceland and the Netherlands also decided not to compete in the contest held in Vienna (Austria). For now, of all of them, Ireland is the first confirmed absence, alongside the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, which returned responsibility for the participation of the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, its parent broadcaster NPO is looking for alternatives in an attempt to maintain the country’s presence in the contest.
Ireland, first confirmed absence from Eurovision 2027 in protest against Israel’s participation
In this way, Ireland will once again be absent from the contest in 2027, maintaining the position adopted by the broadcaster over the past year. It will therefore mark its second consecutive absence.
For the time being, RTÉ has not announced any change in its stance regarding future editions. The Irish broadcaster has reiterated that its position regarding Eurovision remains unchanged, considering Israel’s presence an unacceptable red line.
For its part, the EBU has not yet published the final list of participating countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, amid requests from several broadcasters for more time to decide. The organisation has granted extensions, despite the deadline having been reached this Tuesday, September 15.
During the Vienna 2026 edition, Martin Green CBE, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, expressed his desire to find a “way back” for RTÉ and the other members that decided to withdraw.
However, the contest’s director explained that the EBU’s position remained the same: they consider that broadcaster Kan, as the public broadcaster of Israel, should not be held responsible for the decisions of the Israeli Government, although he acknowledged the concerns expressed by the broadcasters that chose not to participate. He also stated on several occasions that a new vote on Israel’s participation was not planned.
Over the past few months, the brief but telling statements that emerged in the media from some RTÉ officials had already made it clear that Ireland’s position had not changed, despite the reforms introduced in the Eurovision Song Contest.