Van Morrison, Tolü Makay to celebrate President Michael D. Higgins' 80th birthday with TG4 special

President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, will see his 80th birthday celebrated with a mix of music, poetry and dance on TG4 on April 18th.

Soulful Northern Irish icon Van Morrison, Tullamore singer Tolü Makay, musical duo Iarla Ó Lionáird and Steve Cooney and TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year, Laoise Kelly, are among the names who will honour President Higgins on the programme.

Sean Nos dance is set to feature heavily in the celebration, as well as a special performance from four time all Ireland champion melodeon player Emma Corbett.

“Sparks fly when former De Dannan stablemates Frankie Gavin and Máirtín O’Connor team up, in Galway Town Hall Theatre, to tear asunder some sparkling reels and invoke the sound of the city of the tribes," TG4 said.

“The next generation of Irish talent are represented by two of the finest singers on this Island who come together for a vocal duet from the Claddagh in Galway on ‘Óró mo Bhaidín'.

"Sibéal Ní Chasaide first rose to prominence as a 16-year-old when she performed 'Mise Éire', as part of the 1916 Centenary commemorations," teh spokesperson added. "Séamus Ó Flatharta received great attention with his sister Caoimhe for their unique take on a Sean-nós song ‘Eleanór na Rún’ on TG4’s Fleadh 2020. The clip went viral and has been watched over 300,000 times with Séamus counting Imelda May amongst others as a fan.”

TG4 embraced the President's spirit of consistently championing those on the fringes of society and within traditional Irish music – including members of the Travelling Community.

Prestigious personalities will provide commentary, including former president of Ireland Mary Robinson; Director General of TG4 Alan Esslemont; Druid Theatre Director Garry Hynes; Playwright and Director Darach Mac Con Iomaire and former Vice-President at NUI, Galway Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh.

The programme will also touch on his support for active citizenship and a caring community, his deep commitment to equality and to human rights, civil rights, LGBT+ rights, Traveller’s rights, language rights and his part of the struggle for gender equality, from the 1970s to today.

A new book by President Michael D. Higgins, titled Reclaiming the European Street, is set for publication by Lilliput Press later this month. A powerful new work, it encompasses speeches n Europe snd hte European Union, made between 2016 and 20230, and is edited by Joachim Fisher and Fergal Lenehan.

The programme airs on President Higgins' birthday, April 18 at 9:30pm on TG4.

For #DailyHiggins here is a photo of @MichaelDHiggins speaking at the launch of @TG4TV or TNAG as it was know in 1996. Michael D was instrumental is the foundation of Ireland’s first Irish language television station & promoting gaeilge #KeepThePoet #Aras18 #MichaelDForPresident pic.twitter.com/shXTCukC3R

— Cork For Michael D Higgins (@Cork4MDH) October 22, 2018