Why is Ireland not taking part in this year's Eurovision?

Ireland's boycott is the latest in a series of moves that has seen the country at odds with Israel over its war in Gaza.

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Ordinarily the country, which holds the joint record for most wins with Sweden, would join the rest of Europe in eagerly awaiting Saturday's grand final.

But not this year.

Ireland is one of five countries, with Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain, boycotting the contest over the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU's) decision to allow Israel to participate.

The competition features no Irish entrant and national broadcaster RTÉ will not be showing events from Austria, airing a Eurovision-themed episode of sitcom Father Ted instead.