The Eurovision Song Contest 1988 was the 33rd in the series and was held on 30 April 1988 in Dublin, Ireland after Johnny Logan's second win the previous year with the song Hold Me Now. It was held at the RDS Simmonscourt Pavilion (which previously hosted the 1981 contest) and was presented by Michelle Rocca and Pat Kenny. All 22 nations from the previous year were set to compete, however, Cyprus had sent a song that had been previously done in their 1984 national selection and was forced to withdraw, leaving 21 nations to vie for the 1988 Grand Prix.