Patrick Kielty pays emotional tribute to mum Mary on Late Late Show

Get the latest RSVP Live breaking news on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Join us on WhatsApp

Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty has paid a touching tribute to his late mother Mary, who sadly passed away last weekend shortly after he presented the flagship RTÉ talk show.

A tearful and emotional Patrick addressed his mother's sad death at the beginning of tonight's show, paying tribute to her and explaining why he didn't skip the show.

He said he had his mum to thank for naming him Patrick, and he also had to thank her for so much more.

"Sadly we lost her last weekend," Patrick said. "I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took care of her and took care of our family this week."

He said hat she was a major fan of the Late Late Show, watching it "religiously."

"She loved it so much she kept watching it even after I got the gig," Patrick joked. "In over 50 years, Mary never missed a Late Late Show, and there's no way she'd want me to miss this one tonight.

"So, I couldn't be prouder to stand here and say, this one's for you Mary, welcome to the Late Late Show."

Mary passed away peacefully, surrounded by family in their home in Dundrum. She is survived by her three sons Patrick, John and Cahal. Her husband John Kielty was murdered by the UFF in 1988.

Her funeral took place on Monday, where a heartbroken Patrick carried her coffin.

At her funeral, John read a moving eulogy to mourners.

"Now 1970s in Ireland [is] associated with the darkness days of the Troubles.

“Our memories are different. We had a brilliant childhood. We had the beach, the school, the castle and the football field a few hundred yards, and summer holidays in Wexford.

“What was there not to like? As a stay-at-home housewife, Mary was a brilliant mother. Between his day job and bands and dances at night, daddy was never there, and mammy took us everywhere.

“Mary’s life changed in 1988, when daddy was killed. Left with three sons, 18 and under, it was a real bad hand of cards.

“But she got a job at a school and got involved in the football club. She even managed to become chairperson, and she got the three of us reared.

“The 1990s brought grandchildren. They gave her a new lease of life. She became granny Kielty and now as well as her three sons that could do no wrong, she also had seven grandchildren who all loved her and could do no wrong either.”