Northern Ireland

Rod Stewart visited Grace Gifford Plunkett's grave in Dublin

Rod Stewart visited the grave of Grace Gifford Plunkett this week. Picture by Dublin South 1916 Centenary Committee
Rod Stewart visited the grave of Grace Gifford Plunkett this week. Picture by Dublin South 1916 Centenary Committee Rod Stewart visited the grave of Grace Gifford Plunkett this week. Picture by Dublin South 1916 Centenary Committee

ROCK legend Rod Stewart has visited the grave of the wife of executed 1916 leader Joseph Mary Plunkett during a visit to Dublin.

The singer was in Ireland this week to take part in an interview on RTÉ’s Late Late Show, which will be broadcast tonight.

It is understood Sir Rod spent time at Glasnevin Cemetery where he visited the grave of Grace Gifford Plunkett.

Stewart recorded a version of the Irish love song 'Grace' which tells the story of Grace marrying Joseph Plunkett in Kilmainham jail in Dublin shortly before his execution.

In an emotional interview with Late Late host Ryan Tubridy Stewart reflects on family, fame and fortune and talks about why the Irish ballad Grace means so much to him.

Last year Stewart sang a few lines from the song while being interviewed on the BBC's flagship breakfast TV programme.

He had earlier claimed that BBC bosses had banned him from singing the song on the Chris Evans' Breakfast Show. This was denied by the BBC.

Tubridy, who also hosts a daily radio show on RTÉ, told listeners yesterday morning about the the upcoming interview.

He said Stewart “is fascinated by the story of Grace and Joseph Mary Plunkett”.

Stewart previously said he first heard the song being sung by Celtic supporters and decided to learn more.

The singer, who was knighted in 2016, revealed his interest in Irish history to Tubridy in his dressing room.

“He said ‘here, I want to show you something’, this is in his dressing room and he reaches into this schoolbag essentially, this backsack, rucksack…he started pulling out books all based on 1916 and Ireland and history,” Tubridy said.

“So he really has taken it to his heart.”

The presenter revealed that Stewart was also presented with a 1916 themed gift while on the show.

The Late Late Show will be broadcast on RTÉ One tonight.