RTÉ has unveiled its St Patrick's Weekend line-up, showcasing "the very best of Irish sport, drama, entertainment and so much more".
"So wherever you are on the island or around the world, join us on RTÉ One, RTÉ2, RTÉ Player, across all RTÉ Radio stations and RTÉ Online for a helping of patriotic pride," the broadcaster continued.
"On Thursday, RTÉ2 will broadcast a one-hour TV programme of the RTÉ Choice Music Prize, featuring performances from the five winning acts, CMAT, Moncrieff, Fontaines DC, Sinéad O'Connor and Cian Ducrot, along with interviews by Bláthnaid Treacy.
"On Friday, join RTÉ presenters Dáithí Ó Sé and Sarah McInerney along with Emer O'Neill and FM104's Thomas Crosse (Crossy) on the streets of Dublin for the spectacular national St Patrick's Day Parade as part of the St Patrick's Festival on March 17th.
"On Friday night, Ryan Tubridy will celebrate the most Irish night of the year live on The Late Late Show with guests including Liam Neeson as he marks his 100th movie, KIN cast members Clare Dunne, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Sam Keeley and Yasmin Seky and the writer of Derry Girls, Lisa McGee.
"It's a jam-packed day of sport on Saturday with Scotland taking on Italy in the closing weekend of the Guinness Six Nations at 12 noon on RTÉ2 and Six Nations Ireland v England at 5pm on RTÉ Radio 1. Jacqui Hurley is joined by Jamie Heaslip, Jerry Flannery and Stephen Ferris for live coverage of Scotland v Italy from Murrayfield.
"Meanwhile in GAA, Meath take on Dublin and Armagh take on Galway at 2:45pm on RTÉ2. Damian Lawlor will present live coverage alongside Ciarán Whelan and Enda McGinley of Meath v Dublin from Páirc Tailteann in Navan followed by Armagh v Galway from the Athletic Grounds in Armagh.
"And if that wasn't enough, the Dancing with the Stars champion will be crowned on Sunday night. Shake your shamrock and get your green groove as the four finalists, Suzanne Jackson, Damien McGinty, Carl Mullan and Brooke Scullion, shimmy, strut and waltz their way to the win in the hopes of raising the glitterball trophy for 2023.
"Local drama gets its time to shine on RTÉ One on Sunday night with the explosive first episode of series 2 of KIN premiering at 9:30pm. In the wake of Eamon Cunningham's death, the Kinsella family is thriving. However, a new threat rears its head when members of a Turkish cartel inform the Kinsellas that Eamon owed them a sizable debt - and since they killed him, the debt is now theirs. Series 1 of KIN is available to stream on RTÉ Player.
"On Saturday March 18th, Irish international sensations Pillow Queens will headline an evening that celebrates the best of new Irish music across four stages at St Patrick's Festival Quarter, at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, in a true celebration of Irish culture.
"The evening will see the iconic site transformed into a unique urban festival from 6.30pm with 12 live music acts, including a selection of this year's RTÉ 2FM Rising Acts, KhakiKid, Aonair, Sweetlemondae and Winnie Ama, alongside Katie Kim, Melts, Sprints and Gurriers, across four stages. There will also be live DJs, the best in Irish food and drinks, art installations, pop-up performances and much more. For more information on this event, and all events taking place across St Patrick's Festival weekend, go to: www.stpatricksfestival.ie.
"There's also plenty of Irish boxsets and documentaries to stream on RTÉ Player and Irish music and chat to enjoy on RTÉ Radio. So whatever makes you wear the shamrock with pride, brings a proud tear to your eye or sends shivers down your spine, RTÉ has something special to offer you this St Patrick's weekend."
