What's Another Year? Ireland's Eurovision glories

Glamour, razzmatazz and songs that captivate us: it can only be the Eurovision.

In 'What’s Another Year?' Mick Lynch goes behind-the-scenes of Europe’s premiere televisual event, with personal stories behind the songs, the singers and songwriters. Featuring contributions from Mickey Joe Harte, Dana, Linda Martin, Johnny Logan, Gay Byrne, Maxi, Bill Whelan, Larry Gogan, Phil Coulter, Louis Walsh and more, with an exclusive foreword from Shay Healy, the composer of the award-winning song entry 'What's Another Year?' from 1980.

In 1965, the National Song Contest, along with the dulcet tones of Brendan Bowyer and Dickie Rock, won over the hearts of the nation. Over five decades, no country has won the competition more often. Why has Ireland been so successful, and what does it take to win?

Mick Lynch asks the people who have been there and who have seen it first-hand. From the backing singers, stagehands, directors, producers, songwriters and singers, right up to the winning artists, we are given a rare insight into what the camera never captures. Featuring revealing, warm interview, this book tells the lively, tightly-knit Irish scene that was Ireland's romance with the Eurovision.

Mick Lynch grew up in Mountmellick surrounded by music. His dad played with several showbands, including the Artane Boys Band, but Mick’s attempts to master the keyboard failed miserably. Mick studied journalism and began working freelance. He has contributed to various books, radio shows and websites over the years. His first book, The Beatles and Ireland was published in 2008. The Eurovision Song Contest was always a guilty pleasure.He has attended Eurovision events in the UK, Denmark, and the Ukraine, and has met many of the people associated with Eurovision over the years, including the competition’s first ever winner Lys Assia.

Mick Lynch goes behind-the-scenes of Europe’s premiere televisual event, with personal stories behind the songs, the singers and songwriters.