In producing the song, Byrne would imagine himself walking up a mountain, breaking through clouds in order to catch the view.

[6][7] RTÉ selected Nicky and the song "Sunlight" in a departure from the Eurosong format and the mentor format which it has done in the previous eight years, with the last time RTÉ picking the participant internally in 2007, when Irish folk band Dervish with "They Can't Stop The Spring" finished last.

John McHugh, Head of Entertainment RTÉ Television, said, "We have a long and proud history with Eurovision, but we've had mixed results over the last few years.

Myself and Head of Delegation Michael Kealy took a serious look at our approach, reviewing the entire process and the Eurovision Song Contest itself.

[11] In an effort to promote the song, Byrne would go on an extensive traveling schedule, performing "Sunlight" in various European countries.

Byrne was joined on stage by five backing vocalists, some of which were also playing instruments: Janet Grogan, Jay Boland, Ian White, Jennifer Healy and Johan Sundvall.

[21] At the end of the show, Ireland was not announced among the top 10 entries in the second semi-final and therefore failed to qualify to compete in the final.