Trivia

Judges were flown to Ireland, and housed in Bunratty Castle.

Up until the previous year, only soloists and duos were allowed to perform, accompanied by a nameless background chorus of up to three voices. Some groups had appeared however, but they were forced to participate with one or two of them as the main act and the others as nameless chorus. From this year 1971, however, groups started being allowed, although only of up to 6 people of any kind, performers, chorus singers, dancers, etc. This rule of six has remained active ever since and is still active nowadays.

Belgium were going to be represented by Nicole & Hugo with the song "Goeiermorgen, morgen" ("Good Morning, Morning"). They even recorded the video-clip for the song, as rules asked from any country. However, just weeks before the contest, Nicole became ill with jaundice and couldn't attend the competition. Her husband Hugo withdrew with her and new singers had to be called in extremis to perform the song. Jacques Raymond, who had already represented Belgium in 1963, and Lily Castel were chosen to perform the same song, "Goeiermorgen, morgen", in Dublin, though they never recorded the song. Nicole & Hugo would eventually represent Belgium two years later, in 1973.

Hanne Krogh was 15 years old this year, when she represented Norway with the song "Lykken Er..." ("Happiness Is..."). 14 years later, she, together with Elisabeth Andreassen, would give Norway their first victory as part of the duo Bobbysocks with the song "La det swinge" ("Let it Swing").

This was only the second Irish Television production in color, following the 1971 Railway Cups Finals which was produced shortly before.