The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th edition held on 4 April 1981 at the RDS Simmonscourt Pavilion in Dublin and presented by Doireann Ní Bhriain. Israel returned after its year off, but Italy did not participate this year, and Morocco withdrew permanently, whilst Cyprus made its debut. SFR Yugoslavia returned to the contest after five years of absence. In 1981, the total amount of participating countries was 20 once again, equaling the record set three years earlier in Paris.