SURPRISE: Book reviewer and musician Rian Gleeson was shocked that staff on The Late Late Toy Show arranged for him to meet musician Sharon Shannon. Picture Andres Poveda

By Michelle Crean

Over 1.35 million viewers stayed up late and tuned into the most watched show of the year on Friday night – but it was two local youngsters that stole hearts on The Late Late Toy Show.

From book reviewer Rian Gleeson’s shock surprise that the show has arranged for him to have a private session with musician Sharon Shannon - to Denis Moroney’s emotional rendition of ‘Grace’ – there wasn’t a dry eye in households across the country.

Seven-year-old Rian from Artegallivan, who was featured in the Killarney Advertiser two weeks ago, said appearing on the show was “a dream come true”.

“It was so exciting to get to meet Ryan and see the magical set,” Rian told the Killarney Advertiser.

“I really enjoyed the books I got to review and I even got to meet some of the authors the week before the show. All of the team in RTÉ were so nice, I played my accordion and it was definitely a day I will never forget!”

Rian was really shocked when Ryan told him he had a surprise that will involve him meeting Sharon Shannon on December 14.

He will get an hour master class with the accordion player and get to go to her concert in the INEC.

Rian has been learning the accordion for the last seven months under the tutelage of his dad Mícheál Gleeson, so this is going to be a very special experience for them both.

“I was stunned when Ryan told me, I am so happy and I cannot wait to meet her.”

[caption id="attachment_29210" align="alignleft" width="200"] MOVING PERFORMANCE: Denis Moroney (12) from Killorglin pictured wIth Ryan Tubridy moments after singing 'Grace' on Friday night's Late Late Toy Show. Picture Andres Poveda[/caption]

For young 12-year-old Denis from Killorglin, appearing on the show was very emotional as both his parents, Lyn and Michael, were unable to be there as they were away in New York on their honeymoon – seven years after they married, he told Tubridy.

After his stunning performance, Tubridy, so moved by his singing, hugged Denis and told the audience ‘I wasn’t supposed to come up here at all but this guy touched my heart’.

“You did it. How are you feeling? You’re a good guy, do you know that?”, he told Denis, who is played a leading role in last year’s Killarney Musical Society’s 'The Sound of Music'.

Upon hearing that his parents were away, Tubridy reassured the tearful youngster by adding ‘for tonight, we’re all your mom and dad’.

From Friday to Sunday a further 233,000 streams were made on the RTE Player. However, Denis waited for his parents to return home and together watched the show with younger brother Daniel (9) on Monday.

[caption id="attachment_29209" align="alignleft" width="200"] Denis performing 'Grace' on the Late Late Toy Show. Picture Andres Poveda.[/caption]