Shine A Light against Covid-19 on Saturday night

John Donohoe

Published: Fri 10 Apr 2020, 12:52 PM

Last updated: Fri 10 Apr 2020, 1:58 PM

RTÉ is calling on the Irish public to come together to shine a light this Saturday, 11th April at 9pm to create a moment of solidarity in our battle against the Covid 19 pandemic.

President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina are set to shine their light from the Áras. Government buildings will light up with a host of national and local public buildings across the island shining their beacon lights, along with Irish embassies and missions around the world.

#SHINEYOURLIGHT #LONRAIGHDOSHOLAS is calling on people of all ages, to be as creative as they wish to either power their phone torches, flash house lights, leave a candle safely in the window or even put up Christmas lights, to participate in the initiative from wherever they are.

The campaign has already secured widespread support from the creative and cultural community with Gabriel Byrne, Sinéad O’Connor, Glen Hansard, Saoirse Ronan, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Paula Meehan and Marie Mullen all joining with RTÉ in the call for this public moment of solidarity as we join together to shine a light through the darkness.

RTÉ will be creating special content on TV, radio and online to mark this coming together and share our moment of light during what is a dark time for many.

RTÉ Director-General Dee Forbes said: “This global pandemic is affecting each and every person in our society so let's come together for this moment where we can express solidarity with each other while we remain separated from friends and family. Let's light up our homes or light a candle to remember all of those who have lost their lives to Covid-19 and their loved ones. Let's also remember and thank our key frontline staff for their ongoing heroic work throughout this crisis. Light reaches across all boundaries and as we watch the light flicker, perhaps we will see a glimmer of hope, in this time of fear and distancing”.

Coverage begins on RTÉ Radio 1 at 8.30pm with Shine Your Light with John Creedon featuring music from some of our finest artists including Martin Hayes and Glen Hansard, and poetry from Moya Cannon.

At 9pm, RTÉ will broadcast #ShineYourLight, a short live special on RTÉ One television, RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ Player and RTE.ie/culture to share this moment. It will feature music performances and spoken word from artists including Sinead O'Connor, Paula Meehan and Colm Mac Con Iomaire. It will also broadcast images from around the country as families, individuals and workers shine their light, along with local and national public buildings and embassies around the world, joining in solidarity with their communities and loved ones near and far.
RTÉ.ie will also shine a light on this special occasion with a homepage takeover and live gallery of images from around the country.

Sinéad O’Connor says: “I'm really honoured to be taking part in this very moving event and am so inspired by the love we are all showing for each other by staying home. It's not easy. Especially for teenagers. But it’s really working. So let's keep it going. I'm shining my light with love for all the kids and teenagers who are currently in care and haven't been able to visit their families.”

RTÉ has also announced that Shine Your Light will continue beyond Saturday with a wider arts initiative which will see it commission cultural works beginning this Saturday and continuing right up to the Summer Solstice on 21st June.

How can people get involved in #ShineYourLight #Lonraighdosholas on Saturday 11th?

RTÉ platforms will point towards 9pm on Saturday as the moment where we all come together as a nation and shine our light. It will be broadcast on RTÉ One and on RTÉ Radio 1 and online with RTÉ.ie/Culture and RTÉ Player. RTÉ.ie will share your images from around the country.

People will be asked to #ShineYourLight /#LonraighdoSholas in isolation from their homes or wherever they are, with their phone torches, by flashing their house lights, leaving a candle in their windows, even using their Christmas lights.
We will ask people to send us pictures of their lights and we will post them to our social accounts using the hashtag #ShineYourLight.
Local authorities, embassies and missions around the world will also #ShineYourLight by lighting up public buildings throughout the country and Irish embassies around the world.

How will RTÉ present #ShineYourLight? Saturday 11^th April

20.30 Shine Your Light with John Creedon, will broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 until 21.30. Featuring music from some of our finest artists including Martin Hayes and Glen Hansard, archive, poetry from Moya Cannon and more, tune in for a sonic exploration of light. This programme will sync with television from 21.00.

21.00 #ShineYourLight - A 5’30” live television programme, simulcast on RTÉ Radio 1, RTE Player and RTE.ie/culture. The programme is a collection of music performance and spoken word from artists including Sinead O'Connor, Paula Meehan, Colm Mac Con Iomaire. Threaded through will be a collection of images from around the country as families, individuals, workers and neighbours along with local and national public buildings and embassies around the world light up in solidarity with their communities and loved ones near and far.

21.00 On An Ghealach Ghorm on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Áine Hensey will be inviting listeners to join with thousands of others across the country to join in lighting a candle, or to shine their light in any way they can, to share in this moment of national solidarity. Áine will have a very special selection of music for listeners, to bring solace and to lift their spirits in these difficult times.

21.30pm Special edition of the South Wind Blows with Philip King on RTÉ Radio 1 through to 23.00. Philip will carry the torch, bringing Irish and international music of comfort and hope from West Kerry.

RTÉ.ie will light up its homepage with a special takeover to share your images from around the country in a live gallery as the people of Ireland 'shine your light’. Images can be uploaded here - https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2020/0406/1128790-share-your-photos-from-shineyourlight/

PODCAST - Áine, Sinéad and Siún on RTÉ Beo ar Éigean will discuss everything that has been lighting up their lives over the last while, expect everything from books to bird watching.