Ray Lynam to feature on RTÉ’s Christmas Carols show

Probably Ireland’s greatest ever country singer – Moate man Ray Lynam – is to team up with former “Saturdays” star Úna Healy – for a duet on this year’s Christmas Carol’s show on RTÉ One, which is to be broadcast on RTE 1 on Christmas Eve at 9.10pm

The performance by the two is to be a tribute to the American folk singer John Prine who died in April of this year.

The programme, which is being hosted by Mary Kennedy and Ruth Smith, also features Lisa Hannigan, Imelda May, Loah, Celine Byrne, Mick Flannery, Susan O’Neill and teenage Irish YouTube sensation, Allie Sherlock.

Other special guests are Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh and Donnah Vuma, who reflect on the meaning of Christmas at Home, in a year which has kept people apart, but also brought them together, like never before.

At a time when most choirs have been unable to perform together, the show offers a welcome chance to hear carols, traditional and new, from Maynooth University Chamber Choir, the Choir of the National Seminary, Schola Gregoriana and RTÉ Cor na nÓg. And, of course, no Carols show would be complete without the musical talents of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. Christmas at Home will be repeated on Christmas Day at 7.20 am – and there will be a radio repeat on RTE Radio 1 at 1.15pm, also on Christmas Day.