Ireland to Skip Eurovision 2027 in Protest of Gaza Violence

WHO:

ABC News - Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ

Deadline - Irish broadcaster RTÉ

IJR - RTÉ

WHAT:

ABC News - Ireland will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest for a second year due to Israel’s participation.

Deadline - RTÉ confirmed it will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest.

IJR - RTÉ will not participate in or broadcast the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria.

WHERE:

IJR - The 2027 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Bulgaria.

WHEN:

Deadline - Ireland's boycott is for the Eurovision Song Contest scheduled in 2027.

WHY:

Deadline - The boycott is due to the "appalling loss of lives in Gaza."

IJR - RTÉ cited humanitarian concerns and worries about independent access for journalists in Gaza.

HOW:

IJR - Ireland's abstention follows its 2026 withdrawal amid broader European boycotts over Israel’s participation and Gaza-related tensions.

(UPDATED September 17, 2026 13:59 UTC)

Ireland will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest for a second consecutive year, confirming it will not participate in the 2027 event set to take place in Bulgaria. The decision stems from humanitarian concerns and the "appalling loss of lives in Gaza," as well as worries about independent access for journalists in the region. This follows Ireland's withdrawal from the 2026 contest amid a wave of European boycotts related to Israel’s participation and ongoing tensions in Gaza.