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Cracking Night of New Year’s Entertainment in store as RTÉ plans jam-packed night of the best music, comedy and chat to welcome 2021

Soundtrack To My Life Kodaline and Nicky Byrne Image Name: Soundtrack To My Life Kodaline and Nicky Byrne
Deirdre O' Kane & Kathryn Thomas (5) - NYE Countdown Show. Photography Andres Poveda (074-2) Image Name: Deirdre O' Kane & Kathryn Thomas (5) - NYE Countdown Show. Photography Andres Poveda (074-2)
Deirdre O' Kane & Kathryn Thomas - NYE Coundown Show (1) Photography Andres Poveda 3474-063 Image Name: Deirdre O' Kane & Kathryn Thomas - NYE Coundown Show (1) Photography Andres Poveda 3474-063
Soundtrack To My Life - Nicky Byrne Image Name: Soundtrack To My Life - Nicky Byrne
RTÉ One 
Cracking Night of New Year’s Entertainment in store as RTÉ plans jam-packed night of the best music, comedy and chat to welcome 2021 

Kathryn Thomas and Deirdre O’Kane live from the Gaiety Theatre, with midnight performance from Lyra and Nicky Byrne presents Soundtrack to My Life with Kodaline 

-A selection of images can be downloaded here:
https://we.tl/t-DjXtrzmMv3


RTÉ One has a sparkling line up this New Year’s Eve with two very special programmes in store for viewers. Soundtrack to My Life, presented by Nicky Byrnewill showcase one of Ireland’s greatest bands, Kodaline and the live NYE Countdown Show with presenters Kathryn Thomas and Deirdre O’ Kane will shine a spotlight on some of Ireland’s best home grown talent. 

InSoundtrack To My Life Kodaline collaborate with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra to create a unique playlist of songs that mean the most to them and reveal to presenter Nicky Byrne the stories behind their choices. 

Kodaline will perform some of their greatest hits. They will also invite special guests along such as Loah and Jack L, to perform songs that have influenced the band in their career and life. All of this will be backed by the incredible sound of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. A night of unique performances is promised as we say goodbye to 2020 and welcome in 2021. Tune in on Thursday December 31st at 21:45 on RTÉ One.  

After Soundtrack To My Life presenters Kathryn Thomas and Deirdre O’ Kane will front a celebration of homegrown talent from Dublin’s famed Gaiety Theatre this New Year’s Eve, as they’re joined by some of Ireland’s most talented musicians and comedians to bid farewell to an unforgettable year and ring in a more hopeful 2021.   

A musical feast is in store as Sharon Shannon and her band will be the house band in the Gaiety Theatre for the evening. Jerry Fish will bring his unique energy to the stage and Mary Coughlan will give a soulful solo performance as well as a special duet with Brian Kennedy.   

Seeing Riverdance is always a spine-tingling experience for Irish people – and it won’t be any different in this show, with a very special performance for viewers at home.  One of the most hopeful stories of this year has been that of 18-year-old Cuan Durkin from Dublin. UK pantomime producers saw footage of him busking on Grafton Street and offered him a dream opportunity to play Prince Charming.  Cuan will celebrate the end of his memorable year by singing for his many new fans all over the country.  

Mundy will be joined by rocker prof Luke O’ Neill for a performance, while the RTÉ Concert Orchestra will accompany Tolü Makay for a beautiful rendition of The Sawdoctors hit, N17.   For the moment the clock strikes midnight, Lyra, featuring dancer Fionn McMorrow, will perform New Day at Dublin Castle. 

Preparing for the evening, Kathryn Thomas said: “We’re all ready to welcome 2021 with open arms. It’s not about celebrating the year that was, but for Deirdre and I, it’s about celebrating the year that’s coming.”   Munster is home to some of our best comedians. Waterford Whispers News will feature sketches with Aengus Mac Grianna and Pat Shortt will be joined by his daughter Faye for a special comedy sketch.   

Kathryn and Deirdre will also be catching up with comedian Jason Byrne, RTÉ’s GAA Correspondent Marty Morrissey, Senator Lynn Ruane, and RTÉ Radio 1 presenter Sarah McInerney. They will talk about how this year will go down in history and their wishes for 2021.  With so many Irish people abroad unable to travel home this year, some of those living in faraway places will be part of the celebrations as they send special messages by video to their friends and family at home all throughout the show. 

Commenting ahead of the show Deirdre O’Kane said: “Ringing in the new year is always a special time, but this year I believe it takes on even greater meaning for many of us. I couldn’t be happier than to mark the occasion alongside Kathryn; we’ll be welcoming 2021 in style with a celebration chock full of homegrown talent from the beautiful Gaiety stage.” 

Ciara Sugrue, Head of Festivals and Events said “Last year, we welcomed over 100,000 people to the streets of Dublin for our annual New Year’s festival, NYF Dublin. While we can’t celebrate in the same way this year, we have teamed up with RTÉ to bring an extra special countdown to viewers across the world as part of this evening’s NYE Countdown Show. Highlighting locations across the country and some of Ireland’s top musical talent, we hope to keep Ireland front of mind so that when it is safe to travel, we can welcome international visitors to celebrate with us once again.” 
 
Get comfortable on the couch as, at home with RTÉ is the place to be on this New Year’s Eve.    

Tune in for the NYE Countdown Show which begins live at 22.45 on Thursday 31st December on RTÉ One.   

ENDS
Monday December 21st 2020

For more Information:  
Soundtrack To My Life – Rayna Connery RTÉ Communications rayna.connery@rte.ie 0879862902 


NYE Countdown Show – Karina Ryan, RTÉ Communications, Karina.ryan@rte.ie or 0863497693