RTÉ has announced a new Saturday night musical show, set to be hosted by Una Healy and Loah.
Kicking-off later this month, The Heart of Saturday Night invites viewers to a run of evening music in the company of some of the country's finest performers.
Commenting on her new gig, former Saturdays singer Una Healy said: "I was so excited to be asked to co-host The Heart of Saturday Night and getting to do it alongside the incredibly talented Loah was a joy.
“We had such a brilliant time filming and it’s an experience I’ll never forget. I can't wait for everyone to see it."
Loah added: "The Heart of Saturday Night is a musical dream come true. Co-presenting with Una has been a great pleasure and it’s been wonderful to hear and chat to all the incredible musicians throughout the series.
"I’m honoured to be part of the show and look forward to sharing our joy with the audience!"
Produced by South Wind Blows, the shows bring together the crème de la crème of performers in Ireland for rousing musical sessions, many of whom have not performed on stage since the beginning of the pandemic.
Irish Women in Harmony, Mick Flannery, The Saw Doctors, Soda Blonde, Niamh Regan, Rhiannon Giddens, and many more will entertain viewers from the beautiful surrounds of The Round Room at the Mansion House.
This new summer music series caters to all musical tastes and will celebrate the old, the new, the loved, and the familiar.
There will be a wide range of genres represented from pop, folk, rock, classical and traditional.
Each episode in the six-week Saturday night run of shows will feature a segment that pays tribute to and celebrates a national treasure who's no longer with us, with tributes including performances in honour of Phil Lynott, Dolores O'Riordan, Shay Healy, Ronnie Drew and John Prine.
The series will include contributions from the likes of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh from Altan with her family, and sisters Louise and Michelle Mulcahy along with Dónal Lunny remembering the celebrated late piper Liam O’Flynn.
The show's presenters will each duet with a musical guest - Una Healy will sing with Derek Ryan and Loah will sing with Gavin James for special, one-off performances.
John McHugh, RTÉ Head of Entertainment said: "RTÉ and South Wind Blows are delighted to bring this feast of music to viewers on Saturday nights for what promises to be a truly entertaining series presented by Una and Loah.
“Following what has been a very difficult time for musicians and crews in the Irish music industry, it will be wonderful to see some of Ireland's greatest performers on stage again."
Philip King, Series Editor said: "South Wind Blows along with all of the artists and the brilliant crews who make them audible and visible are delighted to have magnificent Irish music in all its diversity, back at the heart of the schedule, at the heart of Saturday night.
“There is such magnificent music in Ireland right now and we are delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate it, in partnership with RTÉ."
The Heart of Saturday Night kicks off on RTÉ One, Saturday July 24 at 9.30pm.
