Who is Michelle O'Neill? Northern Ireland's new First Minister to appear on Late Late

Northern Ireland's new First Minister is set to appear on the Late Late Show tonight (February 16). 

Late Late Show host, Patrick Kielty, will interview Michelle O'Neill - who was very recently sworn in as the first nationalist First Minister on February 3 - live on the sofa at 9.35pm. 

She called the day she was sworn in "historic" and said at the time: "As a First Minister for All, I am determined to lead positive change for everyone, and to work together with others to progress our society in a spirit of respect, cooperation, and equality. 

"It is about working together to deliver for workers and families, and creating new and exciting opportunities that ensure our children and grandchildren can achieve their dreams and ambitions in life." 

This comes following a fraught dissolution of the Stormont Assembly between 2022 and 2024. 

Tonight, 9.35pm #LateLate https://t.co/DvwowJi3VE

— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) February 16, 2024

It's not the first time O'Neill has been interviewed on the Late Late Show; she spoke with former host Ryan Tubridy in April 2021, during which she spoke openly about her personal life and ambitions, and how becoming a mother to her daughter Saoirse at the age of 16 changed her life. 

She also has a son named Ryan. 

But who is Michelle O'Neill? 

Born in Fermoy, Co Cork and raised in Clonee, Co Tyrone, O'Neill has had a meteoric rise since her beginnings as an MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) in 2007. 

Entering politics in 2005, she received her first ministerial role in 2011 and became First Minister this month due to Sinn Féin's victory in the 2022 Assembly elections. 

It marks the first time a nationalist First Minister has been sworn in, and the first time a nationalist/Irish republican party won the most seats in a Northern Irish election. 

I am honoured to take office as First Minister.

I am committed to representing all our people and communities.

Let us work together to build a brighter, better future for everyone. pic.twitter.com/J6uM9msUd3

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) February 3, 2024

She is the Vice President of Sinn Féin, second only to party leader Mary Lou McDonald, and was formerly Deputy First Minister and Joint Head of Government in Northern Ireland in January 2020. 

O'Neill - who served as both Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Minister of Health - successfully led Sinn Féin's two election campaigns in 2017 and both Local Government and European election campaigns in 2019. 

She recently appeared on Good Morning Britain and reaffirmed her belief that she expects a referendum on unifying Ireland in the next ten years. 

'You can be both British, Irish, both or none. And we have to be conscious and respectful of each other.'

Michelle O’Neill - the first nationalist First Minister at Stormont - joins us as power-sharing returns to Northern Ireland. pic.twitter.com/U3PzKlPp5v

— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) February 8, 2024

Speaking to hosts Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway, she said she prides herself "on being part of the Good Friday Agreement generation". 

She said, "[I'm] somebody who was gifted peace, someone who was gifted the opportunity for us to be able to work together in a different sort of space, and that's what I'm committed to doing for the tenure I have ahead of me. 

"Big challenges but I'm certainly up for all that." 

Asked about her belief that a united Ireland is imminent, she said her appointment as First Minister alone is proof enough that the tides are turning. 

She said, "My parents and grandparents never thought this day would come." 

She also accused Secretary of State, Chris Heaton Harris, of "an ostrich mentality" by sticking his head in the sand and not accepting the changes that are coming. 

She made the comment in response to a video of Heaton Harris claiming he doesn't see a united Ireland happening "in his lifetime". 

You can watch First Minister Michelle O'Neill on the Late Late Show tonight (February 16, 2024) on RTÉ One at 9.35pm.