IRELAND will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria, broadcaster RTE has confirmed.
RTE also said it would not broadcast the competition, stating it “cannot be justified given the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis”.
Ireland, seven times winner of Eurovision, did not take part in the 2026 competition – in which Israel participates.
A statement said: “RTE is today confirming that its position regarding participation in the Eurovision Song Contest remains unchanged.
“RTE will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTÉ broadcast the competition.
“RTE feels that Ireland’s participation cannot be justified given the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.
“RTE also remains deeply concerned by the continued denial of independent access to international journalists to the territory.”
Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said: “We regret that RTE will not be participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, but we fully respect their decision and recognise the huge contribution they have made to the contest. They remain a valued part of our family and will be missed.
“The Eurovision Song Contest is at its best when broadcasters and their artists from different countries come together to share music, celebrate creativity and create connections between audiences.
“That power to bring people together is at the heart of what makes the contest so special, and is even more important now in an increasingly difficult and divided world.
“All broadcasters decide on an annual basis to participate in the following year’s contest. We will remain in dialogue with RTÉ and hope to welcome them back to the Contest in the future.”
