Musician Gilbert O'Sullivan spoke on RTÉ Radio 1's Liveline about the recent announcement that he is to be awarded the Freedom of Waterford.
He also teased gigs in Ireland next year in Dublin and Cork.
In an interview with Joe Duffy this afternoon, the singer-songwriter says the accolade was a "nice surprise" and an "honour", adding that he was proud of his Co Waterford roots.
The 77-year-old, who shot to global stardom in the 1970s, is a native of Cork Road, Waterford but spent much of his childhood in the UK after his family relocated there.
The three-time winner of the Ivor Novello Award is best known for hits Nothing Rhymed, Clair, Get Down and Alone Again (Naturally).
Now aged 77 and living in Jersey, Channel Islands, O'Sullivan said that his family were all very excited about him receiving the Freedom of Waterford and want to be around when he receives it, but he is not sure yet when that will be.
He also said he hopes to incorporate a visit to the Waterford Crystal visitors centre as part of the experience.
The singer explained his Irish roots and told Duffy that his father worked at Clover Meats in Waterford, and later in meat factories in the UK.
He said that his father and mother met around the time of him working in Ferrybank, Waterford. His mother was known in Waterford for running a sweet shop.
He said that after his father died, workmates of his father's brought him in to the abattoir to show him the type of work his father did and he said it was "not a very pleasant job to do".
Even so, he said that it didn't taint his taste for meat, adding that he would be looking forward to eating turkey and ham this Christmas.
In terms of his own plans to visit Ireland, he said that himself and fellow musician Bill Shanley had recorded a new songbook album for 2024.
The singer added that he had concerts planned for September 2024 in both Cork and Dublin, which would be officially announced later this week.
"It’s always a thrill to come back to play in your home country," he said.
Speaking about recent gigs, he said that he had played in the US and Hawaii but came back home with bad chest infection, from which he is still recovering.
Reflecting on his 1974 hit Christmas Song (I’m Not Dreaming of a White Christmas), he said that at the time of the early 1970s, the popular Christmas song at the time was I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas by Bing Crosby. He said this got the most air time, and there were very few new Christmas songs.
He wrote the song based around that, telling Duffy that he felt it was a nice idea to do the opposite, and to advocate to have a peaceful Christmas, rather than a white one.
He said that at present, with what is happening with the conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine, "a peaceful Christmas would be good for everybody".
Speaking about his own situation at home, he said he looking forward to spending Christmas with his family.
He explained that he and his wife Aase now have two grandchildren aged two and four, and he was looking forward to having them around the house.
He said that having young children around brought back memories of his own children, as they often used to come and play while he was working on recordings, which was captured on tape cassettes. He said that his interactions with his grandchildren were similar.
"Christmas is family orientated, it’s about being all together and having a nice time," he said.
