IRELAND -An Irish band called The Rua have been tipped to represent Ireland at the Eurovision next year โ 50 years after their auntie Dana won the competition. The three-piece are celebrating after they entered the US Billboard Top 50 with their latest single. But the Irish Sun can reveal The Rua have set their sights set on Eurovision next May, exactly 50 years since Dana, aka Rosemary Scallon, won for Ireland with All Kinds Of Everything.
RTEโs closing date for song submissions to be Irelandโs Eurovision entry for 2020 was last Friday, October 25. The broadcaster is set to make their selection in the next ten days. The three Brown siblings โ sisters Roseanna and Alanna and brother Jonathan โ have just completed a 30-date Arena tour with Westlife.
FAMILY TIES
A source said: โRTE got a really great response to Eurovision entries. Thereโs every chance that Ireland could top the juries in Holland again on the anniversary of Danaโs first win there for Ireland. There would be a huge media interest in Danaโs nephews and nieces taking her place exactly 50 years later and representing Ireland at Eurovision.โ
In their call out, RTE stressed that Irelandโs Eurovision entry must have โprior experience of performing in public in front of large crowds.”Confidence and attitude are definite advantagesโ.
SUPPORTIVE AUNTIE
Alanna Brown said their auntie has always backed them to make it to the top. She said: โShe has always been very supportive and if we have any questions we go to her.โ
Roseanna added: โShe (Dana) wants us to stand on our own six feet, and didnโt want to get in the way, in any way at all. Sheโs there to support us, we know that. Sheโs interested in the songs, in everything we do, and sheโs there to give us advice. She wants us to have the freedom to be The Rua, and thatโs it, basically.โ
Dana previously revealed how she suffered โa complete breakdownโ after winning Eurovision.
DANA WON EUROVISION IN 1970
The singer was just 18 when she was catapulted to international fame in 1970, winning the contest in front of a TV audience of 200million people with All Kinds of Everything. However, the entertainer โ as well as getting a singing career from her win โ used her Eurovision fame as an MEP, winning a seat in the European Parliament in 1999. Friends say Dana could return to Rotterdam in Holland next May, a short distance from where she won in The Hague in 1970, to relive her Eurovision triumph.