The contest was initially organised by the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce as part of a drive to increase tourism in the town.
The first contest had 70 entries from the UK and Ireland, and the final was hosted by Gay Byrne.
[3][4] The winning song bore the Irish version of the town's name, Caisleán A' Bharraigh.
However, the 1974 contest was broadcast live from the Old Royal Ballroom and Theatre[7] and Travellers Friend Hotel[8] in Castlebar nationally on RTÉ.
[5] James Haldane O'Hare was the TV Designer for RTÉ for the majority of the broadcasts.