The Eurovision Song Contest 1997, was the 42nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Dublin, Ireland, following the country's victory at the 1996 contest with the song "The Voice" by Eimear Quinn. It was the seventh time that Ireland had hosted the contest, having previously done so in 1971, 1981, 1988, 1993, 1994 and 1995. It was the fourth time in five years, that Ireland hosted the contest - and a record sixth time that it was staged in Dublin. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), the contest was held at the Point Theatre, with the final on 3 May 1997. The live show was presented by Carrie Crowley and Ronan Keating.
The Eurovision Song Contest 1997, was the 42nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Dublin, Ireland, following the country's victory at the 1996 contest with the song "The Voice" by Eimear Quinn. It was the seventh time that Ireland had hosted the contest, having previously done so in 1971, 1981, 1988, 1993, 1994 and 1995. It was the fourth time in five years, that Ireland hosted the contest - and a record sixth time that it was staged in Dublin. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), the contest was held at the Point Theatre, with the final on 3 May 1997. The live show was presented by Carrie Crowley and Ronan Keating. Twenty-five countries participated in the contest, equalling the record of the 1993 and 1994 editions. Italy returned after their three-year absence. Denmark, Germany, Hungary, and Russia, returned after their last participation in 1995, despite all of them taking part in the non-televised 1996 pre-qualifying round in which they failed to qualify and therefore were absent. Belgium, Finland, and Slovakia were relegated due to having the lowest average scores over the previous four editions. The winner was the United Kingdom with the song "Love Shine a Light", performed by Katrina and the Waves and written by band member Kimberley Rew. This was the United Kingdom's fifth victory in the contest, following their wins in 1967, 1969, 1976 and 1981. Ireland, Turkey, Italy and Cyprus rounded out the top five. Turkey's third place finish was their best result in the contest at this point, finishing in the top five for the very first time. This year, televoting was tested in five countries: Austria, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The results of the televoting countries were, in some cases, different from those that used a jury. Iceland received 16 of its 18 points from these five countries. The use of televoting would be further implemented the following year, and be the primary method of voting in the contest for the next decade.