Patrick Kielty paid an emotional tribute to his mother at the start of the Late Late Show following her funeral earlier this week.
On Monday, a sombre Patrick led mourners as he carried his mother’s coffin at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Dundrum, Co Down, where she was described as a “brilliant mammy”.
Mary Kielty was also remembered as a resilient woman whose life changed following the death of her husband, Jack, who was shot dead by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) in 1988.
Mary died peacefully at home in Dundrum on Saturday aged 84.
At the beginning of Friday’s show which was celebrating all things Irish ahead of Monday’s religious and cultural holiday, Patrick Kielty said: “When you’re called Patrick, St Patrick’s day is always special.
“And the person I have to thank for that, and so much more, is mum.
“Sadly we lost her last weekend and I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took care of her and took care of our family this week.
“My mum watched this show religiously and she loved it so much she still kept watching even after I got the gig.
“In over 50 years Mary never missed a Late Late Show and there was no way she’d want me to miss this one for her tonight.”
With his voice breaking with emotion, he added: “And so I couldn’t be prouder to stand here and say: this one’s for you, Mary. Welcome to the Late Late Show.”
Riverdance kicked off the programme with a live performance in the studio.
The 1990 Republic of Ireland squad reunited to relive one of Ireland’s greatest sporting years, the year that was Italia ’90.
Marking 35 years since Ireland first qualified for the World Cup, Patrick welcomed Mick McCarthy, Niall Quinn, Packie Bonner, Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton, John Aldridge, Kevin Sheedy, David O’Leary, Andy Townsend, Chris Hughton, Chris Morris, Steve Staunton, Kevin Moran, Bernie Slaven, John Sheridan, Frank Stapleton and David Kelly to the studio.
Dancing with the Stars finalists Jack Woolley, Rhys McClenaghan, Kayleigh Trappe and Danny O’Carroll along with their pro-partners Alexandra Vladimirov, Laura Nolan, Ervinas Merfeldas and Salome Chachua will also join Patrick ahead of the grand finale on Sunday night.
While Grammy Award-winner and Cork singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot will perform his new song Little Dreaming.