- Film And TV
- 26 Apr 19
The 25th anniversary of Ireland's Eurovision win with Brendan Graham's 'Rock 'n' Roll Kids' provides an opportunity to look at the Eurovision – and what it all means to Ireland now – not least amid widespread calls for a boycott of this year's event in Israel
The line-up for tonight's Late Late Show has been unveiled, with the likes of Paul McGinley, Baz Ashmawy and Ireland’s Eurovision hopeful Sarah McTernan among the guests.
However, music will be at the centre of things, as the show celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Brendan Graham's 'Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids' winning the Eurovision Song Contest at the Point Theatre in Dublin. There will be a special performance of the song by Paul Harrington (who sang it in the Eurovision with Charlie McGettigan), the always-fantastic Niamh Farrell from Ham Sandwich, songwriting whiz-kid Ruth-Anne Cunningham, Ryan O’Shaughnessy and the Line-Up Choir.
In addition, Linda Martin, Paul Harrington, Rory Cowan and Mary Coughlan will all discuss this year’s contest, while RTÉ's current Irish Eurovision hopeful, Sarah McTernan, will perform Ireland's entry, the catchy '22', live.
The contest this year, which is taking place in Tel Aviv, Israel, has provoked considerable controversy, with many prominent figures from across the music industry calling for countries to boycott the event, in response to Israel's breaches of international law in relation to Palestine.
Ahead of the Irish Open in July, Paul McGinley will be on the show to discuss the tournament, and why he wants it to be the biggest one yet – despite the absence of Rory McIlroy.
In a light-hearted segment, the Benhaffaf twins, Hassan and Hussein - who made international headlines this week after Hollywood actor Tom Hanks sent them a personalised Toy Story video - will talk about how their experience of getting the message from one of the biggest actors in the world.
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Irish TV presenter and personality Baz Ashmawy will be on the sofa to talk to Tubridy about his new series Wingman.
Colette Ryan was just two years old when she disappeared while on holiday with her family 44 years ago, and wandered a staggering two miles away from the then Mosney holiday camp in Co Meath. Almost five decades since the ordeal, Colette will recount the story of how she was found.
In the month of World Autism Day, Nicholas Ryan Purcell - a budding filmmaker with Asperger syndrome - will also appear on the show. Ryan Tubridy will be joined by three mothers, and their three children, to discuss the realities of living with autism.
Watch The Late Late Show, RTÉ One, Friday, April 26 at 9.35pm.