Today is St Patrick's Day, and as Irish communities the world over (and indeed the communities who just fancy being Irish for the day) celebrate the wearing of the green, up in Dublin's Phoenix Park luminaries from Irish musical and cultural sphere have gone visiting to the President's residence for his "Glaoch" initiative. "Glaoch" is an Irish word meaning "call", which is to be a worldwide celebration of all things Irish.
President Michael D Higgins, a former Minister for Culture and dubbed "The Rock n' Roll President" because of his love of music, got some of Ireland's best and brightest musical talents and poetic powerhouses together to perform. Below are a couple of teasers of what to expect, and the live show will be available here from 9:30pm tonight.
Hall of Famer and Voice coach Danny O'Donoghue and The Script with a candle-waving moment in the President's house. Thankfully, the candles stay where they are:
" >
Oscar winner and Dr Cox from Scrubs lookalike Glen Hansard performing a full version of "Falling Slowly" with Mercury Prize-nominated Lisa Hannigan, whose harmonies could cause shrubs to grow in the desert:
" >
Loveliest woman in showbusiness Imelda May channels Shane McGowan and recounts her time living in London with her song, The Kentish Town Waltz:
" >
Nobel Laureate and mainstay of Irish literature exams Seamus Heaney recites one of his poems. He really should narrate a feature movie or something.
" >
And finally, the High King of Irish music, the daddy of them all, Christy Moore. Also, some gratuitous pictures of the President's lovely doggie.
" >