Cork town still cherishes the memories when Millstreet proudly hosted the Eurovision

In 1993, Millstreet proudly hosted the Eurovision, and the Cork town still cherishes the memories.

This weekend, as the Eurovision Song Contest unfolds in Liverpool, a wave of memories rushes back. It has been a remarkable 30 years since Millstreet hosted the event in 1993, a week that Millstreet and the outright winner Niamh Kavanagh will forever remember.

Ireland seized outright victory from the United Kingdom, captivating hundreds of millions of viewers across Europe and around the world. This triumph was the perfect culmination of Noel C Duggan’s dream to host the Eurovision Song Contest in the Green Glens International Complex, and it became a reality in a grand and extravagant manner.

RTÉ, with its expertise and technology worth £2.2m, impressed the global audience with a breathtaking and remarkable set, adding to the amazing sights that greeted viewers worldwide.

On May 9, 1992, Linda Martin achieved victory for Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest with her captivating performance of ‘Why Me’. As she concluded her encore on the Malmo stage, Noel C Duggan began to lay the foundation for an extraordinary achievement. He outlined his visionary plan on the back of an envelope, submitting an application to bring the 1993 Eurovision to Millstreet.

The subsequent events became part of history when Niamh Kavanagh staged a thrilling late comeback, securing a crucial maximum of 12 points from the Malta jury to astonishingly snatch victory from the United Kingdom. This turn of events paved the way for jubilant celebrations in Millstreet, where Taoiseach Albert Reynolds enthusiastically stood up to commend Noel C Duggan and acknowledge Millstreet’s remarkable accomplishment, marking it as a tale of excellence and a fairytale success.

After successfully securing the hosting rights for Eurovision, Millstreet underwent a remarkable transformation, emerging as the ultimate capital of the universe. Within a span of six months, significant efforts were dedicated to enhancing the town’s infrastructure and making extensive preparations for one of the most colossal entertainment events in the world.

As the 1993 Eurovision approached, the magnificent Green Glens Arena fulfilled all the necessary specifications. The absence of any supporting pillars that could obstruct viewing, combined with its well-equipped lighting, made the venue perfectly suited for an exceptional television presentation.

The area exuded a profound sense of pride and joy, knowing that the north Cork town’s anonymity would be forever erased as greetings from all corners of Europe would elevate its fame. In the background, local groups and individuals pooled their energies and expertise to concentrate on the enormous task of organizing the event, earning applause from the current Chairman of the Community Council, Noel Buckley.

Noel stated, “All organizations actively participated, led by Dr. Michael Feeley and the Community Council, who coordinated a steering group and various subcommittees. It required tremendous effort, but in the end, it all proved to be worthwhile, resulting in the emergence of a truly remarkable event.”

Chairman Dr. Feeley and Secretary Ken Brennan led the coordination of eight subcommittees within the steering group. Ray Cawley assumed the role of coordinator to facilitate the smooth functioning of the committees.

To manage public and media inquiries efficiently, a dedicated ‘Euro Bureau’ was established in the Town Square. Additionally, various groups were formed to address specific areas such as finance, publicity, accommodation, entertainment, tidy towns, car parking and security, linguists, and county council liaison. This collaborative effort ensured all aspects of the event were well-managed and attended to.

Businesses and residents wholeheartedly embraced the Eurovision spirit, adorning the town with the vibrant colors representing the participating countries. This created a festive Mardi Gras atmosphere throughout Eurovision week, attracting thousands of people to experience the lively ambiance and partake in various events such as concerts, fashion shows, Eurovision dress rehearsals, fringe events, and outdoor entertainment.

On the night of the Eurovision finale, the Green Glens transformed into the world’s largest television studio. This impressive production required the installation of 60 miles of cabling, and 11 cameras captured the performances, transmitting the footage to Dublin and then relaying it via a satellite positioned above the African equator to broadcast the action across Europe.