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

Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ) held the national final on 30 March 1986 at its studios in Dublin, hosted by Mike Murphy.

Eleven regional juries across Ireland selected the winning song, "You Can Count on Me", performed by the group Luv Bug and composed by Kevin Sheerin.

Luv Bug performed twelfth on the night of the contest, following Israel and preceding Belgium.

[1] This high placing was the third of five straight top ten finishes, and was the run-up to Ireland's win in Brussels the next year.