The Irish participating broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), selected its entry through a national final.

Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ) held the national final on 8 February 1976 at its studios in Dublin, hosted by Mike Murphy.

Other participants included past and future Irish representatives The Swarbriggs (1975 and 1977), Cathal Dunne (1979) and Linda Martin (winner in 1992) who performed as a member of the group Chips.

[1] On the evening of the final Hurley performed 7th in the running order, following Belgium and preceding the Netherlands.

[2] Ireland received one maximum 12 from Italy, which the Irish jury reciprocated by awarding their 12 to the Italian song – oddly, neither country received a maximum vote from any other national jury.