Kate and Gerry McCann are set to return to Ireland later this year.

The couple and their young twins are expected to make the journey this autumn and plan to make a television appearance while they're in the country. The couple's visit will be their first time to arrive in Ireland since their four-year-old daughter Madeleine went missing last year.

Kate and Gerry are expected to take up on an open invitation to appear on RTE's The Late Late Show to address the nation and thank the Irish for their "incredible support".

One source for the Friday night chat show revealed to the Herald yesterday that "they are coming".

"It'll be at the end of September or early October," the source added.

The couple and their children were regular visitors to Ireland prior to Madeleine's disappearance in Praia de Luz in May 2007 while on holiday. And it is believed they want to return to meet and thank the Irish people for their support.

RTE bosses are hoping that the McCanns will come on the show and reveal first-hand the terrible trauma they've experienced. However, programme bosses are remaining tight lipped until closer to the scheduled visit.

Larry Masterson, executive producer of The Late Late Show confirmed that the interview remained "a possibility".

Mr Masterson is hopeful that the couple will appear on the Irish chat show after their spokesperson hinted that they would do so.

"We had their solicitor/spokesperson on The Late Late Show last season and he stated on the show that if they were coming to Ireland they'd come on the show."

The couple are said to be hugely grateful for the love and care the Irish public has given them since their oldest daughter's disappearance.

"Ever since Madeleine disappeared, the number of letters and Mass cards sent to them has been phenomenal," said family spokesman Clarence Mitchell.

"In fact there have been more messages from Ireland than any other country in the world."

The trip to Ireland will be the family's first visit with their three-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie, since Maddie was abducted in Portugal last summer.

The family are expected to stay in St Johnston, Co Donegal while they're in Ireland.

The autumn trip will be a painful reminder for the McCanns of their last visit to Donegal with their three children in March, 2007 -- just weeks before Maddie was taken from Praia da Luz on May 3.