Stevie Mulroney, fresh from a rousing rendition of Ireland’s Call during last Saturday’s Six Nations match between Ireland and Italy, returns to The Late Late Show for a reply and chat.
Stevie surprised viewers by singing the rugby anthem on last year’s Late Late Toy Show, surprising players Peter O’Mahony and Bundy Aki, and inviting him to a match.
Speaking to presenter Patrick Kielty, Stevie revealed that he received a phone call from Joshua Dirk van der Vlier, inviting him to sing in front of a packed Aviva Stadium.
“I was like, ‘Yes, I’ll do it. I’m proud to do that for my country,'” he said, to applause from the audience. Stevie also revealed that she plans to sing again ahead of the Women’s Six Nations match.
Michelle O’Neill joined Kielty at the end of her first two weeks as Northern Ireland Prime Minister to talk about her vision for the North and why she believes a united Ireland is less than 10 years away.
Mr O’Neill spoke of taking steps to represent people of all political and cultural backgrounds in the North.
“I think it’s important that we all step outside of our traditional comfort zones and find ways to reach others out there,” she says, adding, “I think it’s important for all of us in society to “If you’re going to represent, it’s important to attend events like King Charles’ coronation,” he added, adding, “I believe we can fairly represent everyone in society.” I want to show that by not just saying things, but by actually doing things that really mean something to people. ”
He said a united Ireland was within reach and predicted significant constitutional changes would be needed over the next decade to make it a reality.
“I think we are in a decade of opportunity and a decade of change,” she said, noting that her election “speaks to a shift” in the political landscape.
“The smart thing to do now is to plan. [for a United Ireland]you need to plan what it will look like.
“How can we solve this problem and actually come up with an arrangement that actually works for us? That’s what I want to achieve.”
Comedian Kevin McAleer, perhaps best known to TV viewers as Uncle Colm on Derry Girls, has revealed on Late Late that he is retiring from comedy after 30 years.
McAleer reflected on her debut on The Late Late Show and the nervousness she experienced before receiving some sage advice from Gaybo.
“It was scary,” he said.
“I remember saying to Gay Byrne, ‘Where are the cameras?’ He said, ‘Forget about the cameras, just think about the audience.’ That was really good advice. I took his advice and it worked out great. ”
He has two more Greatest Hits shows coming up in Dublin and Belfast, but said he was “excited about retirement”.
Actor and UNICEF Ambassador Stephen Rea spoke to Keelty about his humanitarian work and support for Somalia.
Rea said his time in Somalia was “pretty traumatic” and pointed to the impact of climate change on vulnerable people there.
“Somalia’s poor people are not responsible for climate change. They are directly affected by climate change.”
He said he finds it difficult to turn down requests for charity work, such as the work he has done to help those directly provided for here in Ireland.
“I couldn’t do everything. But when someone asks me to do something, I can’t resist. We have to help each other.”
Regarding the situation in Ireland, Mr Rea said he did not know “if we are doing enough” to help people.
“Housing, health, education – these are the things we expect from the republic that our people gave their lives to create. We must provide them with those things.”