Frank Galligan, Carrigart.
DONEGAL journalist and broadcaster Frank Galligan will anchor a very special live Christmas TV show on the Irish TV channel on Sky 191 this coming Thursday, December 18 from 8-10pm.
The show will feature household names from the entertainment and sporting worlds with legendary broadcaster Donncha O’Dualing, the King of Country Music Mike Denver and the affable former Minister for Education Mary O’Rourke amongst his guests.
“I am thrilled to get this opportunity and I am really looking forward to bringing the viewers here in Donegal and across the globe some magical Christmas stories and entertainment on the night,” said Carrigart native Frank.
“To be honest I am really looking forward to meeting the guests and artists myself as some of them are true legends and household names.”
Sligo trad band Moxie will have the audience dancing in the aisles and Dublin folk band The Merry Ploughboys will play rousing ballads from the likes of Luke Kelly and Ronnie Drew. UK pop star Ayala, who performed at Sir Paul McCartney’s Christmas party, is also travelling from the UK to perform.
“We also have the best Opera singer in Ireland joining us on the night with award winning Soprano Helen Hutchinson and Eurovision finalist Marc Roberts also performing live,” said Frank.
“The guest list is endless with greats from GAA, politics and community leaders on set to be guests.”
Founder of Irish TV and Gortahork native Mairead Ní Mhaoilchiaráin said it was fitting that the biggest TV show of the year on Irish TV on SKY 191 would be presented by a Donegal man.
“Frank’s warm and welcoming personality is infectious. He has wonderful charm and he always makes his guests feel at ease getting great interviews that are natural and honest,” said Mairead.
Since its launch in May, Irish TV has continued to push out the broadcasting boundaries with over 40 hours of new TV content from every county in Ireland each week.
Frank also presents the weekly Donegal County Matters show on Irish TV, which airs every Thursday at 7.30pm.
“The reaction to Irish TV in Donegal has been phenomenal,” said Frank.
“Everywhere we go people tell us they love the channel and all the different programmes from farming to fishing and from fashion to football.
“I think people like the fact that we cover the stories of ordinary people in every community across the county that are doing extraordinary things. We are with the people on the ground and they associate with the content,” he said.
The Irish TV Christmas special which will be presented by Frank can be watched on Sky 191 on December 18 from 8-10pm. The show can also be watched on Freesat 400, Eircom’s eVison 191, all Free to Air Boxes and online at www.irishtv.ie