Danny Boy - Sinéad O'Connor, 1993

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Sinéad O’Connor performs ‘Danny Boy’ on a special Christmas Eve edition of The Late Late Show.

In his introduction, Gay Byrne explains that singer Sinéad O’Connor had been a guest on the previous week’s programme and gave;

"A stunning performance."

When she heard that an Irish music special was being planned for Christmas Eve, she asked to be included. She chose to sing an unaccompanied version of the traditional ballad ‘Danny Boy’.

This episode of The Late Late Show was broadcast on 24 December 1993. The presenter is Gay Byrne.

‘The Late Late Show’ was intended to be a summer filler, but proved so successful with the public that it became part of the regular schedule. The idea for the programme came from the show’s producer, Tom McGrath, who wanted to present an Irish version of the American talk show ‘The Tonight Show’.

Gay Byrne was to be the show’s presenter and would remain so for the next thirty seven years. Tom McGrath’s original idea was that the show would be informal and have the feel of people dropping in for a chat.

‘The Late Late Show’ became an important forum for the airing and debating of many issues in a changing Irish society.

The first programme of ‘The Late Late Show’ was broadcast at 11.20 pm on 6 July 1962. At the time, it was unusual to have a live talk and entertainment show on so late in the day’s viewing. On that first show, the guests were Count Cyril McCormack, Ken Gray, George Desmond Hodnett and Harry Thuillier.

McGrath would go on to pioneer many other successful variety shows on Irish television.

Pat Kenny replaced Gay Byrne as presenter in 1999 and remained in that position for 10 years. Ryan Tubridy presented the show from 2009 to 2023. The programme is still running today and is presented by Patrick Kielty.