The ‘Laika Party’ in Basel

Ireland has a long history of participation and success at the Eurovision Song Contest, stretching back to our first win in 1970 with Dana’s ‘All Kinds of Everything’. Having won the contest seven times in total, Ireland is tied with Sweden, proudly sharing the record for the most wins by any country in the contest.

Eurovision allows music fans to come together and celebrate under the theme ‘united by music’. The most recent contest was held in Basel from 12-17 May 2025, after Switzerland’s Nemo broke ‘The Code’ in Malmö 2024, the country’s first win since Johnny Logan handed over the trophy to Céline Dion in Dublin back in 1998!

For this year’s competition, Basel pulled out all the stops for the visiting delegations and fans alike, putting on a series of fantastic shows at the St Jakobshalle arena, as well as fan zones and public viewings across the city for the public.

This year Ireland was represented by Emmy with the song ‘Laika Party’, a reimagining of Laika’s fate as a pioneering space traveller.

Listen to the song on Spotify

The Embassy of Ireland, based in Berne, Switzerland, was keen to show its support for Team Ireland, and hosted the Irish delegation at their own version of a Laika Party in Basel on 12 May. Guests included the dedicated fans who travelled from Ireland, members of the Irish branch of the Eurovision fan club, and members of the local Irish community.

Speaking on the evening, Ambassador Aoife McGarry thanked all those in attendance and wished Emmy and her team the best of luck in their semi-final, before long-time Eurovision commentator Marty Whelan introduced Emmy, her brother Erlund, and their fantastic dancers for a performance of their very catchy song.

Although it wasn’t to be for Emmy and ‘Laika Party’, her brilliant performance in the semi-final and the celebration hosted by the Embassy highlight the powerful role music plays in connecting our communities.

Emmy and the wider Team Ireland, including the Irish fans, built an immense atmosphere of fun and positivity in Basel this year, cementing our strong ties to the people and communities in Switzerland.

The incredible JJ from Vienna, performing the operatic ‘Wasted Love', was the ultimate winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.

Irish fans will look forward to defending Ireland’s record of most wins at next year’s competition, as the Swiss hosts pass the baton to their Austrian neighbours.