RTÉ has confirmed that Brian Kennedy will represent Ireland in next year's Eurovision song contest in Athens.
Kennedy has had three albums in the Top 30 of the Irish album charts simultaneously, and has performed and recorded with Van Morrison, The Corrs, Tina Turner, Paul Brady, Sinead O'Connor and actor, Adrian Dunbar.
Brian Kennedy: chosen to represent Ireland in Athens
RTÉ's Commissioning Editor for entertainment programmes Kevin Linehan said the contest had "evolved into an increasingly complex, competitive, professional contest in recent years".
After last year, the State broadcaster decided to review the format for the selection of the entrant. Last May the You're a Startalent competition for newcomers chose brother-and-sister act, Donna and Joe McCaul, who failed to make it to the final in May
This year the song will be chosen by the public, and budding and established songwriters have been invited to submit compositions.
All compositions should be entered before December 17th, and a shortlist of four-songs will be made. A committee chaired by two-time Eurovision-winning songwriter Brendan Graham, former Eurovision winner Shay Healy and singer songwriter Paul Brady will select the final four songs.
The four songs will be performed by Kennedy and voted on by the public in a one-hour television special to be broadcast in early spring.
Mr Linehan added: "I believe he [Kennedy] will do us proud in Athens and enable us to give it our very best shot.
"He is prolific in a wide range of musical genres and contexts; from traditional Irish songs in intimate venues to international showstoppers on the Riverdance stage. The challenge now is to find the show-stopping song Brian will perform on the night."