Ireland’s Most Expensive Non-Finalist? RTÉ’s Basel Bill Revealed
Ireland may have been left empty-handed at Eurovision 2025, but its national broadcaster RTÉ certainly didn’t leave empty-pocketed. New figures show that sending Norwegian singer Emmy (yes, a Norwegian representing Ireland – insert sigh here) to Basel cost a tidy €385,761, even though “Laika Party” failed to book a place in the Grand Final.
Where the money went (spoiler: not into points)
A Freedom of Information request spilled the receipts:
- €100,270 went straight to the European Broadcasting Union fee – essentially the price of entry and the right to air three nights of glittery chaos.
- €50,785 was shelled out on hotels for the 19-strong Irish delegation (that’s nearly €2,700 per head – we hope the minibars were at least Eurovision-themed).
- €79,242 on production costs – including staging, rehearsals, costumes, props, pyros, graphics, choreography, and, presumably, the price of a dog costume to match the “Laika” theme.
- €7,503 on economy flights to Basel (proof that at least somebody tried to be sensible).
- €1,407 on transport while in Switzerland (probably taxis to the arena and back).
RTÉ points out that the delegation was smaller than in 2024, down by two people, which supposedly brought “average costs down 7%”. Alas, still not low enough to dodge the humiliation of a semi-final exit.
The price of a flop
Subtracting the unavoidable EBU fee, Ireland still spent €285,491 on what boiled down to three minutes of performance time – or about €95,000 per minute. That bill covered everything from song recording to postcard filming, promotional events, choreography, designer fees and more.
Emmy and her “Laika Party” may have failed to take Ireland back to Eurovision glory, but RTÉ’s accountants will be nursing the hangover for much longer.
Source: The Irish Mirror
