Jedward

Olympic Getaway of Ireland,

Ireland as a getaway from London, not Scotland, not Wales, but a different country! Seems daft, but could be quiet a clever move for the recession hit nation.

During the Celtic Tiger years the Irish tourism industry boomed. Riverdance, dodgy international boy bands and a history of strong American visitors helped the nation establish itself as a beacon of peace and tranquility for visitors.

Now with just under ten days until the Olympics kick off, Tourism Ireland is never one to miss a genuine opportunity. Whether it was drafting in Jedward after their Eurovision appearance for an ad campaign or now hopping on the Olympic bandwagon.

The clever and quirky campaigns feature the theme of “escape the madness” with Ireland portrayed as a quieter, relaxing alternative to the bustle and madness of inner city London.

The video is partially voiced by The IT Crowd actor Chris O’Dowd and maximizes the humorous side of a culture known for its happy-go-lucky attitude to life.

How To Pen A Eurovision Song: Songwriter Sharon Vaughn Speaks on Jedward

JEDWARD MANIA

Q1, How does one go about penning a Eurovision song?
I REALLY DON’T KNOW. ALL WE DID WAS WRITE THE BEST POP SONG WE
COULD AT THE TIME.

Q2, How did you feel when you knew Jedward would perform it?
I WAS ECSTATIC AND COMPLETELY SURPRISED

Q3, What are the essential elements to a good pop song?
IT HAS TO HAVE A HOOKY MELODY AND LYRIC. WATERLINE IS A VERY DIFFERENT
AND UNUSUAL TITLE BUT THE SONG ITSELF IS VERY SING-ALONG-ABLE.
AS YOU CAN TELL FROM THE FANS!

Q4, What do you think is needed besides a song to win Eurovision?
JEDWARD ARE THE PERFECT ACT FOR EUROVISION BECAUSE THEY EMBRACE THE ENERGY,
FUN AND THE GLITZ OF THE EVENT.

Q5, Have you looked at the other competitors entries and if so which
do you feel are strong?
TO BE HONEST, I HAVEN’T. THOUGH I AM WATCHING THE SWEDISH
MELODIFESTIVALEN VERY CLOSELY. THERE ARE SOME INCREDIBLY
TALENTED PEOPLE IN THE COMPETITION. ALSO A FRIEND OF MINE IS THE
WRITER-WINNER FOR NORWAY, SO I WISH HIM WELL, OF COURSE.

Q6, Do you have any words of advice for those wanting success in the
music industry today?
MY ADVICE… IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE… BUT ALMOST DOESN’T SCARE AWAY
THE ONES WHO MAKE IT. AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DONE IT A LONG TIME… JUST
KEEP DOING IT AS LONG AS IT IS JOYFUL THERE ARE SO MANY NAY-SAYERS AND
NEGATIVE REPORTS ABOUT PIRACY AND THEFT OF INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTIES AND ALL OF THAT IS TRUE AND TERRIBLE. BUT THE FACT ONE CAN MAKE
A LIVING WRITING SONGS IS A GLORIOUS AND WONDERFUL THING.
IT IS THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD… AS LONG AS IT IS A JOY TO YOU…
IF NOT, DON’T TRY IT OR QUIT AND MAKE ROOM FOR SOMEONE ELSE WITH THE
FIRE IN THEIR BELLY.

Eurovision or Euroschism: Interview With Klaus Woryna ESC Fanclub President Germany

Ukraine Eurovision Winner Ruslana

Q1 . DO you think the eurovision has entered a new era with more credibility and world attention?

eurovision has the same credibility as ever but the media echo is more positive after a the victory of a Western European country

Q2 do u think the new jury will remove block voting?

it depends how objective the jury is founded, it might be easy to “convince” few jury members of a certain result

Q3 with the recent european economic crash do you think some countries in crisis could feel the pinch if they have to host the competition next year?

no ESC is a matter of national pride, so each country will do its best to promote itself in the world, and hosting ESC brings back more money than that was spent on ESC (taxes, guests,….)

Q4 Do you believe as a european community the eurovision projects a strong and positive view of our continent abroad?

it Does; it shows no matter what politiians say, the people of Europe are united in partying and celebrating, they love music and struggle peacefully for a winner, that shows humaity and cleverness

Q5 Germanys success in showing a more fun and energetic side worked in 2006 with the world cup, do you think the eurovision showcases the more fun side of German people and culture?

well the answer is a mixed one. The funny side is important and shows that Germans may have humour indeed. But on the other hand the shows lack a typical German sign. They are mainstreamed, show multicultural interest and modernity, but lack the fever of ESC and most of all, as said before, something that remembers the people that the show is from Germany. So with that the message of Germans being funny gets lost a bit

Q6 have u experiened a larger world interest in eurovision from outside europe?

yes, here are at least 30 people from Australia that show that ESC is one of the most popular TV shows in Australia; on the other hand the music markets have an eye on ESC as far away countries broadcast ESC

Q7 Have jedward shown Eurovision spirit and represented us well?

they show their own spirit and that is a fresh one, as far as fun and partying is concverned that is the spirit of ESC, they represent Ireland quite well and bring fresh blood to ESC

Q8 can germany do the double and win back to back titles?

yes, Lena is my fav and for weeks I think she will make it although the most guys here now prefer Ireland

The Spring is in its Autumn, The Summer in its Free Fall

The Queen in Ireland

So we are one third of the way through 2011, and what has changed?
Emigration is still soaring, unemployment rampant, and confusion and discontent omnipresent.

Enda Kenny’s role as Taoiseach has been to many a success, in that he hasn’t done any severe damage as of yet which is always a plus!
The removal of the Seanad however is a contentious issue and he has touched a nerve, the reality is that we don’t actually need it, similar to the British Royal Family, it serves very little purpose but may have in the past but surely won’t in the future.

Nationalism and Anglo Hatred aside, the hullabaloo over the Royal Wedding is uncalled for, the level of farce and fickle nonsense that British Press has descended to, is pathetic, from a nation that once prided itself on its literary and media outlets it has become one obsessed with Jordan’s breast size and Kerry Katona’s coke rise. A come down from Shelley and Keats. Android phones, I-PADS, I-PHONES, I-TURNIPS and the progression of technology and WIFI has made news more accessible than ever but the over exaggerated claims that 2 billion people watched the prince of whatever-his-name is and the Kate chick walking down the gap is rubbish.

We live a world where one would think that everyone should have the ability to be journalists and share news and explore and educate the masses but instead we are resorting to spreading nonsense and bullshit through these mediums that should be used to better ourselves.

As a society we are reducing ourselves intellectually while claiming we are educated because we read papers or know the headlines! This does not deem one an intellectual it just means your eyes work proficiently. With a summer of discontent and emigration ahead, the embassies of the world will once again face the illegal immigrant syndrome of Irish abroad who have a fondness for the lack of rain. As our brain drain resumes and Australia and Canada fill we send our most esteemed academics since Joyce and Yeats to represent us in front of 100 million of our European peers. Already seen as a joke of a nation and experiencing subtle racism due to our debts to our EU cousins we then show them how we are spending our time. While we could be financially rebuilding ourselves we instead are funneling attention into Jedward for Eurovision.

As May day approaches and 80 countries across the world celebrate the workers movements we can at least spare a pleasant thought for Obama and the Queen who must be wondering what to do and what to wear and say when they arrive on our little island of saints and scholars and John and Edward.