John Lydon has taken to social media to announce that Public Image Ltd "will be competing to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2023 with their new single Hawaii."

The new track is available on streaming services now – and will be performed by PiL on The Late Late Show on February 3, as part of the competition to select Ireland's Eurovision song for 2023.

According to the band's website, the song is "a love letter to John’s wife of nearly 5 decades, Nora, who is living with Alzheimer’s. A pensive, personal yet universal love song that will resonate with many, the song sees John reflecting on their lifetime well spent and in particular one of their happiest moments together in Hawaii."

“It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most,” Lydon comments. “It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.”

'Hawaii' will be released on limited edition 7" vinyl later this year, with a new album also set to be released over the months ahead.

Lydon – formerly known as Johnny Rotten – founded PiL in 1978, following his departure from the Sex Pistols. Public Image Ltd made their much-welcomed return to Dublin back in June, for a lauded show at The National Stadium. Read our full live report here.

On numerous occasions over the years, the iconic singer has spoken to Hot Press about his desire to represent Ireland in the Eurovision.

“It was put across in the media as a bit of a joke but I was dead serious and really up for it,” he told Stuart Clark in 2018. “I’d have improved the entire situation no end. We were going to put in a very interesting piece of music, which most people would see as an eye-opener. It has cowbells. No dance routine yet, but we’ve a year to sort one out. We’ll come back with it again in 2019. I can’t guarantee every fucker will give it douze points but your toe will tap! We’re a very, very, very talented bunch of folk.”

He also discussed the topic as recently as summer 2022, in an interview with Pat Carty – reflecting on his plans to pen the Irish entry in 2018.

“We were actually in the process of writing a song for that,” he revealed. “The powers that be in Ireland turned it down. That was a great shame because we might actually have won it. You can't take the Irish out of me..."

Listen to 'Hawaii' below:

Also in the running to represent Ireland at Eurovision in Liverpool this May are:

Wild Youth with 'We Are One'

ADGY with 'Too Good For Your Love'

CONNOLLY with 'Midnight Summer Night'

Leila Jane with 'Wild'

K Muni & ND (Kofi Appiah and Nevlonne Dampare) with 'Down In The Rain'