Television presenter and singer Linda Martin was Ireland's victorious entry in the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest, setting the stage for an unprecedented run of three successive victories for her homeland. Born on April 17, 1947, Martin joined the Belfast band Chips in 1969 and, over the next decade, the band made no less than four unsuccessful attempts to represent Ireland at Eurovision, without ever getting out of the qualifying competition. As a soloist, Martin also made three unsuccessful appearances in the qualifiers, and a fourth at the helm of the band Linda Martin & Friends. Prior to 1992, however, her most successful effort came in 1984, when she finished second with "Terminal 3," composed by Johnny Logan -- the former Eurovision winner who would also write Martin's winning 1992 entry, "Why Me." Still a popular singer, Martin has nevertheless risen to equal prominence as a television presenter, hosting such top-rated programs as the quiz show The Lyrics Board and the talent contest You're a Star. She also appeared within a set of Irish postage stamps, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Irish Free State in 1997. ~ Dave Thompson