RTÉ has confirmed that Ireland will not take part in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest and that it will not broadcast the competition.
In a statement, the broadcaster said its position on participation “remains unchanged”, citing the ongoing loss of life in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there.
RTÉ also said it remains “deeply concerned” by the continued denial of independent access to international journalists to the territory.
Responding to RTÉ decision, Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green said the EBU regretted that the broadcaster would not be participating in 2027, but they “fully respect their decision”.
“They remain a valued part of our family and will be missed,” he said, adding that the EBU would remain in dialogue with RTÉ.
“We will remain in dialogue with RTÉ and hope to welcome them back to the Contest in the future.”
The decision follows RTÉ’s withdrawal from the 2026 Contest in Vienna, after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed that Israeli public broadcaster KAN would be allowed to take part. RTÉ also chose not to broadcast the competition.
DARA won the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year for Bulgaria with the song Bangaranga
Ireland was one of five countries, along with Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain, which did not participate in this year’s Contest.
The 2027 Contest will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, with the Grand Final being held at Arena Burgas on 15 May. The semi-finals will take place on 11 and 13 May.
Bulgaria earned the right to host the Contest after DARA won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with Bangaranga, the country’s first victory in the competition.
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has also said it will not participate in Eurovision 2027, with responsibility for any Dutch participation now returning to the NPO, the umbrella organisation which oversees public broadcasting in the Netherlands.
The final list of countries taking part in the 2027 Contest has not yet been announced by the EBU.
Ireland first entered Eurovision in 1965 and has won the Contest seven times. Its most recent victory came in 1996, when Eimear Quinn won with The Voice.