US chat show host Conan O’Brien is to appear on an episode of TV drama Ros na Rún tomorrow night.
O’Brien recorded his cameo on the show while visiting Ireland to record his own travel series back in January.
The host and comedian recorded this travel show as part of his HBO Max series, Conan O’Brien Must Go, where he will trace his family roots all the way back as far as Galbally, Co Limerick.
O’Brien also becomes the latest celebrity to appear on Ros Na Rún, following on from Stephen Fry, Daniel O’Donnell and Nathan Carter.
“a delightful highlight of his trip to Ireland”
Speaking about his trip to Ireland, Conan O’Brien described working with the cast of Ros na Rún as “a delightful highlight of his trip to Ireland”.
He also added, “I apologise in advance for inadvertently butchering my Mother Tongue”.
In the episode, Conan O’Brien will play a delivery man, who will not tolerate Tadhg Ó Direáin’s arrogance, as he engages in a fiery “war of words” with the iconic Tigh Thaidhg.
The pub landlord will then decide whether or not to throw O’Brien’s character out of the bar.
In preparation, Conan O’Brien was coached by linguistics coach Kevin Hussey to prepare him to speak the Irish language.
However, thanks to his Irish-American upbringing in Massachusetts, US, it turns out that Conan O’Brien was quite familiar with his mother tongue.
“thrilling”
Speaking about O’Brien’s cameo role, series producer for Ros na Rún Marion Ní Liongsigh, said the team were delighted to hear of the host’s interest in appearing.
“It was thrilling to get the request from Conan O’Brien that he wanted to have a cameo appearance in Season 28″, she said. “Who better to pair the famous US TV personality and comedian with than our very own leading legend Tadhg O’Direán, played by Macdara O Fatharta?”.
“It was fun to create and film and audiences will see a perfect delivery of Gaeilge by HBO’s Conan O’Brien in what is an abrupt but entertaining exchange with Tadhg”.
Níl ach lá amháin fágtha go bhfeicfidh sibh radharc Chonan O'Brien ar Ros na Rún!
Only 1 days left until you'll see Conan O'Briens scene in Ros na Rún!@TeamCoco @TG4TV #ConanOBrienMustGo #ConanOBrienRosnaRún pic.twitter.com/7YSt3RvW3J
— Ros na Rún TG4 (@RosnaRun) April 29, 2024
This collaboration between O’Brien’s Conan O’Brien Must Go series and Ros Na Rún will bring the Irish language to an international audience, something which excites Ní Liongsigh.
Ní Liongsigh added, “Two stalwarts of TV on either side of the Atlantic, deeply rooted in their respective Irish heritage and culture, and bringing our beautiful Irish Language and Ros na Rún to a brand new worldwide audience, we could not have had a better start to 2024″.
This episode of Ros Na Rún starring O’Brien airs tomorrow at 8.30pm.
Back in January, O’Brien’s trip to Ireland also saw him make a surprise appearance at Whelan’s pub in Dublin. More on this here.
