We have got to understand how Eurovision works. The Big Five, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, UK qualify automatically each year for the final because of the money their respective television stations put into the contest. Australia while not being one of the Big Five or not even being in Europe qualified for the final probably because of the additional monies it will attract. The winning country of the previous year also qualifies for the final. It will be interesting to see if Australia will be in Eurovision in five years time. I hope they are. Unless we win, Ireland will have to compete in a semi final every year.
Like it or hate it, Ireland gets some valuable exposure across the world because of Eurovision. I know there is "neighbourly country voting" which ensures the wrong song wins, but that comes with the territory and adds to the expectation. I reckon Ireland should stick with Eurovision and use it to the Nth degree to attract tourism here.
While I am at it, Best of Luck to Ireland's Molly Sterling in the Eurovision Semi-Final tonight.