"The reason behind the (Italians) refusal to participate is explained by the fact that "Italians are so passionate about their many singer-songwriters, cantautori. It's just for this reason that Italy no longer participates every year in the Europe-wide song festival called the Eurovision Song Festival."
"A few years back, when Italy came in a terrible position with a song and performance by one of their most treasured singer-songwriters, Enrico Ruggeri, they took their ball and well home, refusing to play with Eurovision any more. They accused their fellow broadcasters of catering to the masses' lack of musical sophistication and of politicized voting."
Hope that helps
Italy rejoined the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 and competed again in 2012, in both cases earning a respectable position in the final.
Ireland does enter the Eurovision Song Contest. Ireland has won it 7 times, more than any country. Because of the amount of countries that now participate, there are semi-finals. Only 25 are in the final. Ireland were in the semi-final in 2009, but did not reach the final. This was also the case in other years.
The United Kindom can vote for the Republic of Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest because they are separate countries.
Abba won the Eurovision Song Contest of 1974, which was hosted by Great Britain.
Poland are yet to win at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Eurovision (Song Contest)
The United Kingdom last won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997 with the song Love Shine a Light by Katrina and the Waves.
No, the Shadows never performed in Eurovision.
Jedward represented Ireland in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest.
Linda Martin won the Eurovision Song contest in 1992, representing Ireland.
Dustin the Turkey will be Ireland's representative in the 2008 Eurovision song contest.
Abba won the Eurovision Song Contest of 1974, which was hosted by Great Britain.
Jade Ewen represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "Its my time".
Ireland
Ireland won Eurovision Song Contest in 1996, with a song called "The Voice" performed by Eimear Quinn.
The Eurovision Song Contest was not in Ireland in 1996. Ireland won it in 1996, but the contest was held in the Oslo Spektrum in Oslo, the capital of Norway, as Norway had won the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest that was in the Point Theatre in Dublin.
Ireland has won it more times than any country, but the Eurovision Song Contest does not have a home. It will be held in Ireland again, the year after Ireland next win it.
Linda Martin for Ireland, singing "Why Me?"
John and Edward Grimes (Jedward) with the song Lipstick
Bonnie Tyler