Ryan Dolan, Ireland's 2013 Eurovision performer, has hit the ground running in Malmö, Sweden, where the contest is being held next week. Dolan and his five-person support act performed the first rehearsal of their song, Only Love Survives , on the stage of Malmö Arena on Tuesday. Dolan says he was "blown away" by the scale of the arena and the scenic design.

Each participating delegation is allowed two 30-minute rehearsals of their song in the week before the contest, during which they agree camera angles, lighting choices and other technical elements with the local production team. Michael Kealy, head of RTÉ’s Eurovision delegation, said the team was “very happy” with the first rehearsal. Three dress rehearsals of the first semi-final, in which Ireland performs, will follow next Monday and Tuesday.

Dramatic beginning
Audiences can look forward to a dramatic beginning for the Irish act, featuring Colm Farrell and Alan McGrath playing bodhráns on a small front stage surrounded by audience members. A sweeping overhead camera shot will then zoom in on Dolan.

Eurovision fan websites are already buzzing about Farrell and McGrath's appearance: they perform shirtless and wearing leather trousers.

'Slightly futuristic'
Stylist Joanne Costello says she has combined "modern and even slightly futuristic" look for Dolan with designs for the rest of the performers that "provide a link to Ireland's Celtic past".*

“Everyone’s really gotten behind me since the national final,” he says.

Ireland performs 13th of 16 acts in Tuesday’s semi-final. The online betting site Oddschecker predicts Ireland will qualify for the contest final and be placed 14th overall.

A poll by international fan club OGAE has Ireland finishing 16th overall. Denmark is favourite with the bookies and the fans to take top honours.

*This article was amended on May 9th 2013 to reinstate a sentence removed in the editing process