In our continued coverage of the Irish national final, Eurosong 2008, we had an interview with the lovely and talented Leona Daly, who is one of the six finalists.  She took some time out to answer questions for us and we would like to thank her and wish her all the best in the final, this coming Saturday.  You can read a transcript of the interview below. Oikotimes.com will be live at the venue in Limerick on Saturday to bring you the latest news and interviews from the artists, host, panelists, lyricist and composers.

How long have you been interested in music?
I have been interested in music since I was born. I was a quirky child, and while most four year olds were listening to the mini pops etc, I found myself listening to Ella fitzgerald as a child. I just love music. it is my passion, and all I have ever wanted to do and to surround myself with. I have a fantastic and very varied cd collection. I buy several cds a week, all sorts, from jazz to classical to indie rock. I just can't get enough. I started writing songs as a kid, well poems initially, and then they gradually became tunes, when I started to clumsily strum chords on my guitar!

How did you feel when RTE contacted you to tell you that you were in the final six?
I was absolutely delighted. My song wouldn't be typically eurovision, but I knew it was a good song. But still, I was over the moon. I pulled the car over, hung up the phone and had a good screaming session. I'm sure passers by thought I was insane. I felt proud of myself, and knowing how much I love being Irish, proud that there could be a slim chance that I could be synonymous with being Irish to viewers around Europe for a night if I was chosen to go forward!

How would you describe your song 'Not crazy after all'?
My song is a very quirky song, very tongue in cheek. It came about after a bad breakup I had. When I came out the other side, myself and my co writer decided to sit and write about it from a comical standpoint. We listened to a lot of kinks records, started writing wacky lyrics about breaking out of a mental institution, and when we finally dried our tears of laughter, we picked up our guitars, and a song was born. It's so hooky, I have always liked it a great deal. Its not a big ballad, its a fun, gutsy song, about surviving something extremely painful and coming out the other side feeling stronger, braver and more independent. And its all very very true!!!

How are you planning to present your song at Eurosong 2008?
Now that would be telling!!!! I plan on keeping all of that a secret until the night! But lets just say, I have thought about my performance a lot, and there may be a couple of surprises.

How would it make you feel to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest?
To represent Ireland would be a dream come true for me. Whether it be through eurovison or some other medium, being irish means so much to me, that to represent the country would just be the hugest honour! I really am proud of my Irishness. It has taken me so far in my life. I wento Nashville years ago, without any real experience to speak of, and the fact that I am Irish, made people want to work with me, to be around me, because people just LIKE The irish, and that makes me very proud. But to go to the Eurovision and stand up knowing that i am my country's representative, would be mindblowing. I would want to make others proud of me, and say, "did you see the irish entry, she was incredible!" I know the Eurovision has changed so much, that its much more of a carnival, a bit of a wacky show now, but I still remember our glory days, as Ireland, the kings and queens of Eurovision, and why not let the others do what they want, but say, we shall still be true to our great rich traditions in the competitions. 

Do you fear that it could have a detrimental effect on your career if you weren't successful at the contest? No I honestly don't. I think worry is an awful waste of time. In life, one has only two things to worry about, either you are sick or you are well. If you are well, you should just live your life as best you can, and not worry about what may or may not happen. I believe in myself. I believe I good at what I do. I believe in my songs. As long as I can still keep making music, for myself, and to make people feel good, then if I don't win the contest, I will still be happy, and hopefully more people will want to hear my music!

What's your favourite Eurovision song and which Eurovision song irritates you the most? Having always had a weird crush on Johnny Logan, I would have to say Hold me now was my favourite entry. I remember crying my eyes out hearing that song. I didn't know a lot about love then, but I felt his pain, and I just thought he was the most gorgeous man ever!!!!!! Then last week, I attended the baby max wings of love concert in the RDS, and up stepped Paul Harrington onto the stage. He sat at the piano, made a joke, then started playing the most incredible song i have heard in years. It was rock and roll kids, and by the end the whole audience were in tears listening to him. That song is full of melancholy, its a stunning song, that we can all relate to, and it just moved me so much. Incredible. As far as irritating songs go, God, I really cant remember!! Again, if a song is that bad, I will just change the channel!!!

How do you feel about the participation of Dustin? We're you warned about it before you accepted a final six spot? Ah Dustin, Dustin, Dustin...!!!! That question has haunted me these past few weeks. Look, As far as I am concerned, if dustin was not in this competition, no one would have any interest in it. He has given the contest so much profile, so much publicity. So that is a fantastic thing, for all other five contestants. I have to say I will be very very sad if the public send him to the eurovision. I don't want people to look at us as a nation and laugh. We were always so outstanding at Eurovision. Lets not let our standards slip just because other countries standards' may have. I think Dustin is just hilarious, but for someone from Europe who doesn't know who he is, to look up and see a tiny stuffed turkey with some mans hand controlling him singing as the irish entry would just be ludicrous . I hope that doesn't happen. Obviously I want to win, but if I don't, I just hope that one of the other lovely talented and great contestants would get a chance to maybe change their lives, have a career for themselves out of this, and DO IRELAND PROUD!!

And NO, we weren't told that dustin would be a contestant!! It is what it is, and the man behind the puppet is a lovely and smart man, who I like very much, so its hard to be angry about it. I just hope that Ireland haven't forgotten what it feels like to have pride in our country. We have come a long long way. People take us seriously nowadays. They don't see us as a nation of leprechauns anymore. We have a great tradition at eurovison and as a muciscal nation. Lets bring back the glory days.

Do you think RTE's decision to go back to a multi artist format was the right decision
I definitely do. I think its great to give new talent a chance to showcase themselves and their songs, and also to let the public decide on the right candidate to represent them. I'm delighted with the format and I have no doubt RTE will make a great show on Saturday. And I'm delighted to be a part of it!!!

Do you think that Ireland stands a chance in the contest nowadays?
The contest has changed so much, the eastern European countries have a bit of a political game going on, but everyone still likes the Irish, so with the right song, and the right representative, who knows!!! Never say never!!!

Would you like to add anything else?
I would love people to vote for me! I really would!! And if anyone would like to hear more from me they can find me on www.myspace.com/leonadaly, www.youtube.com/leonadaly or on my website, where i will be posting regular updates in the run up to eurosong on Saturday...

Do you have any messages for the readers of oikotimes.com?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my ramblings!! I hope the irish readers among you give me your vote!!! If not, please vote for someone who the contest will make a difference to!! (No poultry!!!) And I hope you enjoy the show on Saturday and that Ireland make us proud of what our little country has achieved once again!! Thanks a million xxx