At the President’s invitation, some of Ireland’s and the world’s renowned writers, musicians and singers, as well as emerging artists, gathered at the home of the President of Ireland to make a special programme dedicated to Irish people worldwide. The performances of all the artists were filmed in Áras an Uachtaráin allowing viewers everywhere to experience the historic and beautiful home of the Presidents of Ireland. Through words and music, Glaoch – The President’s Call, celebrates Irishness, Irish creativity and its reach and impact across the world.
The special programme features President Higgins in conversation with Bono, Séamus Heaney, Druid Theatre’s Garry Hynes and playwright Tom Murphy and Christy Moore. There are music performances from Steve Cooney, Glen Hansard, Lisa Hannigan, Martin Hayes, Imelda May, Christy Moore, Róisín O, Iarla O Lionaird, Peadar O Riada, David Power and The Script.
The programme also includes poetry and drama. Actress Marie Mullen performs the final scene of Tom Murphy’s play Famine; poet Louis de Paor reads An Glaoch a bilingual poem he created for this project; Paula Meehan recites her poem Home; and in Airspace Joseph O’Connor reflects on the richness and diversity of the Irish experience and perspective.
In a first for RTÉ, Glaoch will be premiered on RTÉ.ie, RTÉ YouTube and on the digital channel and mobile app RTÉ News Now enabling the Irish community abroad and friends of Ireland across the globe to celebrate with President Higgins this St. Patrick’s Day 2013 at 9.30pm (GMT/UTC).
Speaking about the project, President Higgins said:
“I am very grateful to all the artists who responded so positively to my invitation to be part of this worldwide call to Irish people to celebrate an Irishness of which we can all be proud. I am very pleased that RTÉ and The Gathering Ireland 2013 agreed to be partners in this important initiative.
Throughout our history, literature, music and art have been a source of great strength, have helped us cope with adversity, have not only soothed the loss which they described so well but also opened the space for new possibilities of renewal and change and created joy. I hope the programme will encourage Irish people everywhere to engage with the valuable resource that is our culture, to look to our creative possibilities and to project our Irishness into the world in the positive way that has been the achievement of our artists and cultural workers.”
On Monday 18 March, Glaoch will be broadcast on RTÉ One television with an extended version later that evening on RTÉ Two and on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra.
Glaoch – The President’s Call is produced by South Wind Blows for RTÉ and is supported by The Gathering Ireland 2013.
Broadcast schedule:
17th March
Glaoch – The President’s Call will be premiered to audiences worldwide at 9.30pm (UTC/GMT) on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, 17th March, 2013 on www.rte.ie, RTÉ News Now (Digital TV channel and free internationally available mobile app) and www.youtube.com/rte
London, 9.30pm (GMT), St. Patrick’s Day, 2013
New York, 4.30pm (-5 GMT), St. Patrick’s Day, 2013
Sydney, 8.30am (+10 GMT), 18th March 2013
Dublin, 9.30pm (GMT), St. Patrick’s Day, 2013
18th March
RTÉ One, 6.30pm
RTÉ Two, 11.05pm
RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, 18th March, 11.05pm
Listeners can tune into to RTÉ Radio 1 Extra on digital radio, online and on UPC channel 940.
Glaoch- The President’s Call will also be available on demand on RTÉ Player www.rte.ie/player
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