It marked the first-ever full special dedicated to traditional Irish music.
Late Late Show fans enjoyed a serious seisiún on Friday night with their trad music special.
Host Patrick Kielty was joined by several renowned musicians this week who are leading lights in the world of trad music for The Late Late Show’s first-ever full special dedicated to traditional Irish music.
The musicians, including many standout artists from this year’s TradFest, came together for an evening of unforgettable performances, stories, and surprises including unexpected collaborations, a celebration of some of the most recognisable songs in the genre, and great interviews.
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Actor and comedian Ricky Tomlinson, beloved for The Royle Family, dropped in for a chat, discussing his passion for singing and playing the banjo, his connection to Ireland and why he has no intention of slowing down any time soon.
He also reflected on the joy he finds in performing and in true seisiún spirit, he brought the house down singing The Leaving of Liverpool with the Tradfest gang.
American folk icon Peggy Seeger joined Patrick to reflect on her seven-decade-long career in the music industry, still performing and releasing music at 90. She also honoured her late husband Ewan MacColl with a rendition of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, the legendary song he wrote for her.
Meanwhile Lisa Canny, founding member of the all-female trad supergroup Biird, also chatted with Paddy about the incredible year she’s had with the band including their first Irish tour to performing at All Together Now, the Fleadh and the 3Arena, all while fitting in a tour with Ed Sheeran and a feature in Vogue after performing at the wedding of Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson.
Patrick also touched base with a number of renowned musicians including Kevin Conneff of The Chieftains, Dónal Lunny, Fiachna Ó Braonáin and Zoë Conway who shared tales, tunes and their fervour for preserving the tradition.
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