GET READY for an emotional Christmas.
Ireland's national TV and Radio network, RTÉ, have unveiled their Christmas line-up and to say there are some spectacular things coming our way would be an understatement.
The usual RTÉ Christmas staples are there, from childhood favourites like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to home-grown festivities like Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Specials (Yes, there's two this year), but it is the new additions which really stand out.
This year, RTÉ will air a special once-off concert celebrating the life of the late Brendan Grace, who passed away earlier this year from lung cancer.
In August, Brendan's family unveiled the newest addition to Shannon's Hall of Fame (Source: Shannon Airport/ Arthur Ellis)Entitled 'Brendan Grace: Thanks for the Memories', after his final documentary which aired in September, the concert will take place in Dublin's Olympia theatre and promises to be an emotional watch, as Grace's friends and colleagues in show business appear to pay tribute to the late musician and comedian.
As if that weren't enough to pull on the heartstrings, a special episode of The Late Late Show, aptly titled 'Brendan Grace: A Late Late Tribute' will also air over the Christmas period. The tribute special will showcase some of Grace's best moments as he appeared as a guest on the show over the years, including interviews with former host Gay Byrne, another beloved Irish figure who also passed away this year.
Ireland's most influential broadcaster passed away earlier this year (RTE)Ireland has suffered from the loss of several well-loved icons over the past year, and the impact this has left on the country can be seen in this year's lineup, with RTÉ also preparing to air a documentary on the life of actor Niall Tóibín, who passed away just last month.
Niall Tóibín starred as Father MacAnally in BBC's 'Ballykissangel'. (BBC / Ballykissangel)'Niall Tóibín: Everyman' will celebrate Tóibín’s brilliant, wide-ranging career and explore the actor's lasting legacy.
While the network have yet to release specific dates and times for these tributes and documentaries, they will all air over the Christmas period, and are guaranteed to have an avid but emotional audience.
See More: Brendan Grace, Christmas Lineup, Concert, Memorial, RTE
