Nicky Byrne confirmed as our Eurovision hopeful for 2016

RTÉ has announced that Nicky Byrne will represent Ireland in Eurovision 2016 in Sweden with the song ‘Sunlight’.

Nicky, who is originally from Seagrange in Baldoyle, has performed in arenas around the world and has sold 45 million records as part of Westlife. The song was co-written by himself, renowned songwriter Wayne Hector and award-winning composer Ronan Hardiman.

RTÉ selected Nicky and the song in a departure from the Eurosong and mentor formats which it has engaged over the last eight years.

Confirming the news, Nicky Byrne said: “Like many of us, I have grown up watching the Eurovision Song Contest. It always brought great excitement to our house down through the years and I was lucky enough to see Ireland win it on many occasions.

“I have a great memory as a nine-year-old of dancing around our sitting room in a tri-colour sweatshirt when Johnny Logan lifted the trophy in 1987.”

Nicky, who once considered a professional football career as a goalkeeper, will perform in the Eurovision semi-final in the Globe Arena in Stockholm on either Tuesday May 10 or Thursday, May 12 to qualify for a place in the final on Saturday May 14.

The draw to decide which semi-final Ireland is to perform in will take place at the end of January.

You can take a listen to ‘Sunlight’ here.