A special programme will air on TG4 next weekend to honour President Michael D. Higgins’ 80th birthday.
The hour-long special will feature some of Ireland’s finest poets, musicians, playwrights and dancers, and will celebrate the president and his political and philosophical ideals.
A world class line-up will take part, including local musicians Frankie Gavin and Mairtín O’Connor at Galway’s Town Hall Theatre, Van Morrison, Tullamore singer Tolü Makay, and Iarla Ó Lionáird and Steve Cooney who have developed a unique musical partnership over many years.
Four time all Ireland champion melodeon player Emma Corbett will collaborate with one of Ireland’s most electric dancers Sibéal Davitt for a specially commissioned performance of sean nós dancing.
The show will also feature a range of A-list commentators such as former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, Director General of TG4 Alan Esslemont and former Vice-President of NUI, Galway Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh.
Reflecting on the President’s love of the arts and his support for the marginalised in society, the programme will delve into his support of values of active citizenship and a caring community.
As well as this, it will highlight his deep commitment to human and civil rights, equality, LGBT+ rights, Traveller’s rights, language rights and his part of the struggle for gender equality from the 1970s to today.
The programme will be broadcast on TG4 on President Higgins’ birthday, Sunday 18 April at 9.30pm.
