Irish TV to honour President Michael D Higgins on his 80th birthday this weekend

On the cusp of celebrating a milestone birthday, Michael D Higgins will turn 80 this Sunday. Knowing that the public would be keen to commemorate the day – in spite of ongoing public health restrictions – this week’s Late Late Show will feature a special interview with the President in honour of the occasion. 

Heading to Áras an Uachtaráin to join President Higgins for the chat, show producers shared the good news earlier this week, Tweeting to say, “next weekend marks @PresidentIRL Michael D Higgins’ 80th birthday and Ryan will be conducting a very special interview with him from Áras an Uachtaráin for Friday night’s #LateLate Show”. 

Viewers can tune into The Late Late Show this Friday night on RTÉ One at 9:35pm – or catch it over on the RTÉ Player afterwards. With any luck, President Higgins’ loyal companions Bród and Misneach (the Áras’ newest resident) will make guest appearances too – worth tuning in for a glimpse of them alone, if you ask me. 

Next weekend marks @PresidentIRL Michael D Higgins’ 80th birthday and Ryan will be conducting a very special interview with him from Áras an Uachtaráin for Friday night’s #LateLate Show ?? pic.twitter.com/BCkZUdQNbi

— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) April 12, 2021

Irish language channel TG4 also has plans to mark the big day, confirming that they’ll air a one-hour music and arts special to honour Michael D. Featuring performances from some of the country’s finest poets, musicians, thinkers, playwrights and dancers, a range of well-recognised names have already been announced as part of the line-up so far, including former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, Van Morrison and Tullamore singer Tolü Makay amongst others. 

Bí ag ceiliúradh linn. Join us in celebrating @PresidentIRL on the week of his 80th birthday.

Ar lá breithe an Uachtaráin – Dé Domhnaigh craolfar clár ar TG4 agus ar fud na cruinne.

Roinn físeán ag guí breithlá sona do @PresidentIRL ar Twitter leis an haischlib #MichaelD80. pic.twitter.com/pvsGWnI3F0

— TG4TV (@TG4TV) April 12, 2021

Titled Ómós – Michael D @ 80, it will air on TG4 on Sunday, April 18 at 9:30pm.