Dubliner Ryan O'Shaughnessy has just been announced as the Irish 2018 Eurovision entry with the balled 'Together', co-written by O'Shaughnessy Mark Caplice and Laura Elizabeth Hughes. The final version of the song and video are currently in production and will be released to the public at a later date.

Our 2018 contestant is no stranger to the limelight having played the role of Damien Halpin's brother, Mark on the Irish television series 'Fair City' for over a decade before deciding to pursue a career as a professional songwriter and musician. Ryan cut his chops as a professional singer songwriter while studying at BIMM and also appearing in the finals of both The Voice of Ireland and Britain’s Got Talent.

Ryan said, "As one of three songwriters on Together, I’m delighted it has been chosen to represent Ireland in Eurovision 2018, and on top of that, to be asked to perform for my country is an absolute honour. I plan on doing Ireland proud by bringing a song and performance to Eurovision that we haven’t seen since the days of ‘Rock and Roll Kids'. Last year’s winning song from Salvador Sobral was a beautiful, melodic piece, and I think it may have carved the way for the Eurovision to revert back to being a song contest where true songs can flourish. I can’t wait to get onto that stage and perform an honest piece for millions of people."

He will perform the ballad at the first Eurovision Semi Final in Lisbon on Tuesday May 8.