Rod Stewart: 'This is the last big tour for me'

As he comes to the end of an era with his final rock'n'roll arena shows in Ireland, Rod Stewart talks music highlights, Celtic and future plans 

Rod Stewart plays two concerts in Dublin in November.  Picture: Penny Lancaster Stewart

When Rod Stewart played at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, in 2019, the giant stage-side screen showed an image of the late Liam Miller, the locally-born footballer who had starred for the singer’s beloved Glasgow Celtic.

It was one of many emotional moments on his visit which included a performance of the Irish ballad Grace written by Frank and Seán O’Meara. “It’s one of the loveliest and best love songs ever written, if you study the lyrics and what it is about it’s just so moving! Every day I get up and sing those words. I was performing the song on Irish TV where Frank and Seán were in the audience and when they came up it was so emotional.”