Irish Country Music legend Margo was inducted into the Irish Country Music Hall of Fame on Friday night's Late Late Country Music Special.
And to top it all, the person who performed the presentation was none other than her brother and fellow country star Daniel O’Donnell.
Margo said on being inducted in the Irish Country Music Hall of Fame: "I just want to dedicate this in memory of my friend, Big Tom," referring to the late country legend Tom McBride, who died five years ago.
And as her brother Daniel presented the award to her, he said: "It gives me great pleasure to be the one chosen to do this. Margaret was there at the beginning . . . with Big Tom and Larry, and Gene Stuart and Brian Coll, and many others."
He continued: "I am thrilled, and nobody deserves this more than you for all you have done for so many people."
Remarklably - as Margo pointed out - her first appearance on The Late Late Show was way back in 1969.
But as for 2023, The Late Late Show Country Special saw an array of talent performing, for the first full show since 2019. "Tonight is all about celebrating the best of Irish country music," said host Ryan Tubridy at the top of the show.
He was joined by the best of the Irish country scene to celebrate the music that's been filling dance halls across the nation for decades. And they certainly got the Late Late Show audience going.
Daniel O'Donnell, Margo, Nathan Carter, Cliona Hagan, Philomena Begley, Derek Ryan, Claudia Buckley, TR Dallas, Trudi Lalor, Johnny Brady, Clodagh Lawlor, Niamh Lynne, Olivia Douglas, Chantelle Padden and Toy Show star Cailin Joe were all in the stellar line up.
Philomena, Daniel, Cliona and Nathan were first to join Ryan for a chat, with Daniel noting: "It’s 40 years, just there on the 9th of February, since I made my first record, My Donegal Shore. It’s been an amazing 40 years."
Philomena then explained that she recently had more than one reason to be both cheerful and proud. "I’d two big anniversaries," she told Ryan. "I had celebrated 60 years singing and was 80 last year."
Ryan then revealed that the reason why these four stars were together was because An Post is honouring Irish country music with four stamps – one each of Philomena, Daniel, Cliona and Nathan.
"I feel so privileged," said Daniel, "I’m grateful to An Post for honouring country music, because country music has been a huge part of Irish life for many, many years."
Cailin Joe also joined Ryan Tubridy for a chat, as well as performing the Glen Campbell classic, Rhinestone Cowboy.
"I can’t complain," he told Ryan when asked about the reaction to his much-loved performance on The Late Late Toy Show.
"After it, the amount of newspapers, radio interviews, good wishes on social media, friends and family contacting us, it was all so overwhelming. I couldn’t believe it."
Earlier, 18-year-old Jessica Shine, a Leaving Cert Student and aspiring country singer from Athlone who was in the audience, was surprised when she was told by Ryan she was the show’s Unexpected Country Star.
Ryan asked her what she loves about country music. "Oh everything," she said, before he told her that she was going to perform on the show. "Ah stop," she said, as her jaw dropped at the news.
"Your future starts right here, right now," Ryan told her as he invited her backstage, where she got to rehearse with none other than Nathan Carter.
Jessica also met many of her heroes before performing alongside them on The Late Late Show Country Special finale.
Together with Margo singing lead they performed a version of the Dolly Parton song Coat of Many Colours.
Country-loving Oscar-winner James Martin was also in the audience at The Late Late Country Music Special and Ryan Tubridy had a brief chat with the history-making star.
James, of course, became the first actor with Down syndrome to feature in an Academy Award winning film, An Irish Goodbye, which won best live action short film at the recent Oscars.
"I promised this man a spot in the audience tonight," Ryan explained. "He’s one of our latest, wonderful Oscar winners - James Martin!"
Bringing James down from the audience for a chat, Ryan recalled that even when he had an Oscar by his side, James was telling him: "Yeah, this is great - but I want to go to the Country show."
Grinning, James told Ryan: "I’ve been a country fan for so long. Since I was about five. I love everyone. The likes of Susan McCann, Daniel O’Donnell - and the Queen of country, of course, Philomena Begley."
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