Dervish

As most of you know the song to represent Ireland at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki in Finland is They Can't Stop the Spring , composed by Tommy Moran and John Waters. It will be performed by the excellent traditional Irish band from Sligo, Dervish.

So, there I was on a Sunday night in the Gleneagle Ballroom in Killarney during the Gathering Festival, waiting to see Dervish play. Dessie O'Halloran was on stage, followed by Niamh Ni Charra, from Park Road, Killarney, who launched her CD On Da Thaobh/From Both Sides that night. The audience were in mighty form.

Little did I expect to bump into RTE's John Masterson, long-time executive producer of the Late Late Show. John is the man with the task of steering the Eurovision song on its path to Helsinki and, hopefully, to Eurovision glory. When he heard that I wrote for the Kerryman's Arts Attack, John immediately whisked me backstage so that I could meet with Dervish after their gig.

Everyone seemed remarkably calm and controlled after what was the band's first live performance in almost a month and after having just picked up the mantle of Ireland's Eurovision hope for 2007.

"Yes, we're calm," agreed singer Cathy Jordan, "It was hectic in the week running up to the Late Late Show, you know, rehearsing and arranging the songs, but now I think the hard work is done. That night was tough because I had to sing four totally different songs that I'd only just learned for a live TV audience but in Helsinki, even though there'll be 600 million people watching, I'll just be singing one, so I'll be grand."

600 million is a big figure and it testifies to the growing popularity of the Eurovision Song Contest. It is without doubt a major musical event and one that Dervish are delighted to be associated with.

"Frank Gallagher from Derry was the producer," fiddle player Tom Murrow explained, "and our job was to put the Dervish stamp on the song."

They certainly did that. The Dervish formula is enchanting. The five men are consummate musicians and produce a tight and flawless sound. In their dark clothes they are dignified cohorts for Cathy, a fiery and fascinating front woman with a voice that is truly unique.

Cathy is, as they say, in her element when she's performing and obviously delights in the multi-layered rythms, whether she's crouching over her bodhran or leaping to her feet and dancing like a marionette. On stage there's an intensity about her that is born of a very free-spirited and natural artistry, almost reminiscent of an Irish Bjork.

I was disappointed not to hear They Can't Stop the Spring on that night in the Gleneagle. However, as it will be released in the next few weeks, we won't have long to wait before it's in the shops and on the air waves. I think it's a great song, the best Eurovision entry we've had in years. Let's keep our fingers crossed on 12 May.