United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 member of the "Big 5", the United Kingdom automatically qualified to compete in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Prior to the 2018 contest, the United Kingdom has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest sixty times. Thus far, the United Kingdom has won the contest five times: in 1967 with the song "Puppet on a String" performed by Sandie Shaw, in 1969 with the song "Boom Bang-a-Bang" performed by Lulu, in 1976 with the song "Save Your Kisses for Me" performed by Brotherhood of Man, in 1981 with the song "Making Your Mind Up" performed by Bucks Fizz and
Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976 Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976 Ireland was represented by Red Hurley, with the song '"When", at the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 3 April in The Hague. "When" was chosen as the Irish entry at the national final on 8 February. The final was held at the studios of broadcaster RTÉ in Dublin, hosted by Mike Murphy. Eight songs took part, with the winner chosen by voting from eight regional juries. Other participants included past and future Irish representatives The Swarbriggs (1975 & 1977), Cathal Dunne (1979) and 1992 Eurovision winner Linda Martin, who performed