Declan O'Rourke, Dervla Kirwan, CJ Stander and Irish country stars to appear on The Late Late Show

This Friday's episode of The Late Late Show will see Irish musician Declan O'Rourke perform 'The Harbour' from his brand-new album, Arrivals - produced by Paul Weller.

The award-winning singer-songwriter has teamed up with Irish Arts Center New York and Moment House to curate global live-streamed event from Ireland’s National Abbey Theatre on April 14th.

O’Rourke's work has since been covered by world-class artists such as Christy Moore, Camille O’Sullivan, Eddi Reader, and Josh Groban. The Dublin artist's most recent album, 2017's Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine, documented rare first-hand accounts from that devastating period of Irish history and garnered numerous awards. His writing is much admired and covered by fellow artists, most notably his hit 2004 single 'Galileo'.

The Late Late Show will also celebrate the songs and lives of John Prine, Kenny Rogers, Charley Pride, Hal Ketchum, and Brian Coll, with Irish country stars including Cliona Hagan, Susan McCann, Declan Nerney, Robert Mizzell, and Michael English performing some of their greatest compositions.

Rugby star CJ Stander will also chat to Ryan Tubridy about his departure from Irish shores with 51 caps for the country; including two wins against the All Blacks, a Grand Slam, a British and Irish Lions tour, as well as his star performances for Munster. Arriving at Cork Airport in 2012, Stander considered himself in the last chance saloon as far as his rugby career was concerned, but he's cemented his status as an Ireland sporting hero over the last nine years.

As drama Smother draws to a close this Sunday night, Dervla Kirwan - the family matriarch from the crime noir series filmed in Lahinch - will open up about what viewers can expect as the show concludes. Dervla will also speak about marking 25 years since Ballykissangel, and voice her fears for Brexit Britain. Read our interview with fellow Smother star Gemma-Leah Devereux here.

With the golfing world's attention on the US Masters this weekend, Padraig Harrington will cast his expert eye over the competition, and talk about Team Europe's preparations ahead of The Ryder Cup later this year.

As we await the reopening of Ireland's museums, Ryan will take a behind-the-scenes look through the treasure trove of historical gems in Ireland's National Collection, including some of the most intriguing personal objects in Irish history.

This week on the #LateLate...

✨@CJStander
✨Dervla Kirwan
✨@padraig_h
✨@declanorourke

Plus a celebration of the music of @_KennyRogers @JohnPrineMusic and Charley Pride with performances from @ClionaHagan, Susan McCann, Declan Nerney, @robertmizzell and @menglishmusic ✨ pic.twitter.com/JXLBzNaXQH

— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) April 8, 2021

The Late Late Show airs on RTÉ One this Friday, April 9th at 9.35pm.

Photo credit: Ruth Medjber.