Patrick Kielty 'raring to go' for another year of of hosting The Late Late Show

The Late Late Show is back on our screens after the Christmas break.

Host Patrick Kielty has kicked things off with a TradFest special to welcome in the New Year and promise nothing but entertainment for Friday nights in 2025.

Showing the best of Ireland's established and emerging musical talents, the Co Down presenter was joined by folk singer Aoife Scott, musician Wallis Bird, singer-songwriter Mike Hanrahan and sean-nos singer Sean Keane.

READ MORE: Dancing With The Stars' Rhys McClenaghan wows judges

READ MORE: 43 huge gigs coming up in Belfast to look forward to in 2025

In his opening monologue, Patrick shared that he was excited to be back in the hosting seat for another year and included some NI-centric jokes - from KNEECAP to Twelfth of July parades.

He said: "We are back and raring to go for the New Year with some great guests and our almost-live studio audience who, as you can hear, have all signed up to Dry January.

"Which means until the end of the month, they are only drinking indoors which I think this week is the official Met Éireann advice."

Patrick then joked by asking had all viewers tuning in survived the snow before bringing up the orange weather alert issued by the forecasters over the week.

"That normally only happens in Belfast in July," he laughed.

"Apparently it's called an orange alert because if you go outside at the minute, you could end up with ice on your flute."

After celebrating Colin Farrell's Gloden Globe win, he turned to KNEECAP's success for their debut feature film.

He continued: "A huge congrats to KNEECAP who have been shortlisted for Best British Film at the BAFTAs.

"I'm not sure if BAFTA have thought that one through either - it's kind of the movie equivalent of Gerry Adams being nominated for best British politician isn't it."

Guests on the show included stand-up David Nihill and political podcasters Ivan Yates and Matt Cooper discussing Elon Musk and Donald Trump.

The Friday night TradFest party was joined by Mundy, Laois folk artist Molly Donnery, Cavan Gaeilgeoir Sinead McKenna and Guadeloupean singer-songwriter Ines Khai.

Others included Uilleann piper Louise Mulcahy, multi-instrumentalist Alan Connor, guest fiddler with The Chieftains, Tara Breen, folk singer-storyteller Daoiri Farrell, percussionist Robbie Harris and Banjo player and former member of the Dubliners Gerry O'Connor.

The Late Late Show airs on RTE One on Fridays at 9.35pm

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What's On newsletter