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Specials
An archive of one off programmes on RTÉ Radio 1, including information on the programme and an audio link to the show.Click on the programme title for more information.
Special Programmes Archive 2011
Christmas Specials 2011
In Conversation: Sean O'Rourke Meets Colm Murray - 2nd January 2012. In a frank and open chat recorded in front of a live audience at the Aviva Stadium, Colm revelas his inner thoughts on life and his current battle with illness, and in the process recalls some memorable moments in sport and beyond.
What's the Story? - 2nd January 2011 What's the Story - 2nd January 2012. A news panel show in which two teams of comic talent pit their knowledge of the headlines from the past twelve months against each other.
Never Say Die: The Stephen Hunt Story - 2nd January 2011.
What's it like to make the journey from county hurling to the international football team? Brenda Donohue spends time with Irish international Stephen Hunt and finds out.
Right Through the Very Heart of It - RTÉ Radio 1, 31st Dec 2011
Other Voices, Philip King’s acclaimed music series on RTE 2, celebrated its tenth anniversary with two concerts in New York’s Greenwich Village on October 27th and 28th. Artists featured included Martin Hayes, Roddy Doyle, Laurie Anderson, Joseph O’Connor, Glen Hansard, Gabriel Byrne, Martha Wainwright, Paul Muldoon, Colum McCann and many more. Musician and RTE presenter Fiachna Ó Braonáin was there to sample the music, the poetry and the spirit of the gathering…(This is an extended version of the programme first broadcast on 31st Oct 2011).
Martys Year - 31st December 2011. A New Year's Eve special with Marty Morrissey marking the moment and celebrating the hopes and aspirations of people from the four corners of Ireland for 2012.
Reasons to be Cheerful - 31st December 2011. After tough times in 2011, Claire Byrne and panel discuss whether we still have things to be thankful for.
Soul Journey - 30th December 2011. Just before their sell-out concert at the Grand Canal Theatre, Sandy Harsch met and spoke with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings about their music and amazing career together
10 Years of Other Voices - 30th December 2011. A selection of the best of Other Voices from the past decade, presented by Philip King.
From Rathgar to Rosine: A Pilgrimage to Find Bill Monroe - 29th December 2011 A music documentary which unlocks some of the mystery behind the enigma and the genius that was Bill Monroe, the Father Of Bluegrass Music
High Fidelity - 27th December 2011 to 30th December 2011. High Fidelity; a century of recorded song with Jack L and Julie Feeney. The story of recorded song from Thomas Edison to the iPod, presented by two of Ireland's most dynamic stage performers, Jack L and Julie Feeney. In a 26 part series Jack and Julie trace a songbook from Enrico Caruso to Leonard Cohen and Maria Callas to Madonna exploring the unforgettable songs and singers of the century of music recording starting with Edison's phonograph and ending with iTunes.
2011s Final Partings - 28th December 2011. Baker St; Back To Black; Born Free. Just three undying pieces of music left to us by people who, sadly, we lost in the past year - Gerry Rafferty, Amy Winehouse and John Barry. In 2011's Final Partings, Jim Lockhart and guests look back on these and other voices that passed on in 2011.
Before Your Time - 27th - 30th December 2011. A quiz show where 15 young people, born in 1989 or after, have to answer questions based on events that happened before they were born
Pat Kennys Live Music of the Year - 27th December 2011. Pat Kenny presents some of the live music guests he has had in over the past year. From Tír na nÓg to Christy Moore and Barbra Dickson to The Secret Sisters - there are over 58 acts to choose from. Join Pat to see who made it into his Christmas Stocking
Behind the Lines with Paul Williams - 26th December 2011. Niall Toner gets behind the music and the man in an interview with Paul Williams recorded in front of an audience at the National Concert Hall
Miles Davis - Looking Back, 25th December 2011 Donald Helme and Rock Fox look back at the life and music of the iconic American trumpet player and jazz genius Miles Davis who died 20 years ago this year.
A Christmas Wreath, 25th December 2011 Singers, musicians and dancers bring us their Christmas memories and music.
A Celebration of Fiachra Trench, 25th December 2011. Join the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and very special guests in a programme of music and song to celebrate the 70th birthday of Dublin-born film composer and arranger Fiachra Trench. Recorded NCH, Dublin on 8th September 2011.
The Man Who Knew Bing Crosby, 25th December 2011. Ronan Collins talks to George O'Reilly, the Irishman Bing Crosby befriended and hears amazing stories of a friendship that lasted over twenty years.
Grace at the Solstice, 25th December 2011
A Christmas Reflection by Aidan Mathews.
The Christmas Irish Voice, 25th December 2011. Drawing on multiple sources and archives, Brendan Balfe presents a seasonal entertainment of words and music from Irish artists and performers.
The Three Sopranos Christmas Gala, 24th December 2011. Celine Byrne, Regina Nathan and Cara O'Sullivan, three of Ireland's foremost sopranos, will share the stage for the first time for The Three Sopranos Christmas Gala, featuring the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and presented by John Murray.
Poetry of the Nativity, 24th December 2011. A celebration of the Birth of Christ in poetry and music, presented by Mark Patrick Hederman, Abbot of Glenstal
A Junior Christmas, 24th December 2011 (simulcast with RTE Junior radio) Magical radio unwrapping the real festive spirit as seen through the eyes and heard through the voices of children from all over Ireland. Kenny Heffernan (9) visits Glendeer Farm in Westmeath to learn all about reindeer; Ellie Kenny (7) reports from the streets of Dublin at Christmas time and we hear from school children in Co. Offaly who talk about what Christmas means to them. Perfect 'together' listening for parents and children. Presented by Daráine Mulvihill. Produced by Martina McGlynn.
Joe Duffy on Grafton Street - RTÉ Radio 1, 24th Dec2011
Joe invites listeners along for his traditional live Christmas Eve programme from Grafton Street, Dublin
Right Through the Very Heart of It - RTÉ Radio 1, 31st Oct 2011
Other Voices, Philip King’s acclaimed music series on RTE 2, celebrated its tenth anniversary with two concerts in New York’s Greenwich Village on October 27th and 28th. Artists featured included Martin Hayes, Roddy Doyle, Laurie Anderson, Joseph O’Connor, Glen Hansard, Gabriel Byrne, Martha Wainwright, Paul Muldoon, Colum McCann and many more. Musician and RTE presenter Fiachna Ó Braonáin was there to sample the music, the poetry and the spirit of the gathering…
Omagh Bluegrass Music Festival - RTÉ Radio 1, 3rd Sept 2011
Live programme from the 20th Annual Appalachian & Bluegrass Music Festival in Omagh, featuring performances from some of the biggest names in bluegrass music.
Colm Murray in conversation: Alex Ferguson - RTÉ Radio 1, 12th May 2011
Colm Murray talks sport to Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson
Colm Murray in conversation: Babs Keating - RTÉ Radio 1, 11th May 2011
Colm Murray talks sport to hurling legend and manager Babs Keating and his son-in-law, champion jockey Johnny Murtagh
Colm Murray in conversation: Liam Cosgrave - RTÉ Radio 1, 10th May 2011
Colm Murray talks candidly with former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave.
Seán Óg Ó'Ceallacháin's farewell broadcast - RTÉ Radio 1, 8th May 2011
The legendary Seán Óg Ó'Ceallacháin retired from broadcasting after 63 years on the airwaves. Listen to his farewell broadcast here.
Were You There - RTÉ Radio 1, 25th April 2011
As the Easter Weekend draws to a close, Joe Duffy gathers a varied group of guests together to reflect on how the main themes of Easter, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, believed by Christians to be the incarnation of God, might be mirrored in their personal lives.
Kilts, Celts and Croatians - RTÉ Radio 1, 17th March 2011
In far foreign fields from Dunkirk to Belgrade, they’re playing bagpipes with loud guitars and singing about whiskey and beer. Week by week, more and more clones of the Pogues are springing up in unlikely locations from Bosnia to Brazil. Having saved civilisation once already, is Mother Ireland now saving the spirit of punk?
GARY MOORE - Hand Me Down that Gibson - RTÉ Radio 1, 13th February 2011
A trubite to Gary Moore who played with artists including Phil Lynott and Brian Downey during his teens, leading him to membership with the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy on three separate occasions. He guested on a number of albums recorded by high profile musicians, including a cameo appearance playing the lead guitar solo on "She's My Baby" from Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3. Moore sadly passed away while on holiday in Estepona, Spain, in February 2011.
Reasons To Be Cheerful - RTÉ Radio 1, 1st January 2011
You might think that as a country we haven't got much to be cheerful about at the moment: but it’s the start of a new year, and Claire Byrne has gathered together five people who have been given the task of finding some reasons to be cheerful in 2011.
Whole World Round - RTÉ Radio 1, 1st January 2011
Whole World Round is an afternoon of readings, rhymings, chat, music and song with novelist Joseph O'Connor and musician and broadcaster Philip King and special guests.
Special Programmes Archive 2010
Christmas Specials 2010
2010's Biggest Music Books - RTÉ Radio 1, 30th December 2010
Music legends Patti Smith, Keith Richards and Jimmy Page have all written highly acclaimed autobiographies this year.
Legacies - RTÉ Radio 1, 27th December 2010
The lives and careers of some well-known Irish and international personalities who died during 2010, from the worlds of sport, politics, film and literature.
The Mary Byrne Story - RTÉ Radio 1, 26th December 2010
“The Mary Byrne Story” is the tale of Ireland’s X-Factor sensation, as Brenda Donohue follows her progress through the ups and downs of instant TV celebrity, and discovers the warmth of community and family support for Mary at home in Dublin’s Ballyfermot. First broadcast on St Stephen’s Day, 2010. Presented by Brenda Donohue and produced by Jim Lockhart.
The Michael Littleton Memorial Lecture - RTÉ Radio 1, 26th December 2010
Delivered this year by Dr Garrett O'Connor is the President of the Betty Ford Institute - a leading centre for education, research and prevention of addictive disease - and is also Chief Psychiatrist in the Betty Ford Centre for Drug and Alcohol Treatment.
The When A Child Is Born - RTÉ Radio 1, 25th December 2010
Christmas carols, the crib, the Nativity plays of our childhood, the gospel readings in church - these are all elements which make up our understanding of the meaning of this feast
The John Creedon Show Live Archive - RTÉ Radio 1, 25 October, 2010
John Creedon trawls the ‘Live Archive’ of sessions recording during ten years of The Creedon Show. This bank holiday special features among others, Roger Whittaker, Ron Sexsmith and also features The Blind Boys of Alabama, some of whom has since deceased as well as the late Odetta talking about their music and performing live in studio A, in
A Love Beyond All Telling - RTÉ Radio 1, 2 April, 2010
A Tribute to Liam Clancy - RTÉ Radio 1, 17 March, 2010
Gerry McArdle presents this St. Patrick’s night tribute featuring live and studio recordings, many from his own collection.
Behind the Lines - RTÉ Radio 1, 12 - 14 January, 2010
Niall Toner looks back at the IMRO song writing weekend held in Donegal earlier this year.
Lesotho: The Irish Connection - RTÉ Radio 1, Saturday 2 January 2010
Damien O’Reilly recently visited Lesotho in Africa with Irish Aid. Today he profiles this country which has been described as one of the most beautiful in the continent of Africa, but its beauty is tempered by the huge problem of Aids and HIV.
Special Programmes Archive 2009
Christmas 2009
Below is a list of some of the special programmes broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 over the festive season. Click here for more programmes and a day-by-day guide.
Legacies - RTÉ Radio 1, Sunday 27th December
Keelin Shanley and a panel of guests celebrate, through archive material and personal tributes, some of the national and international figures who have passed away in 2009
Five Decades
Brendan Balfe reviews the events, the personalities and the music of the second half of the twentieth century.
JOE DUFFY ON GRAFTON STREET
Joe invites listeners along for his traditional live Christmas Eve programme from Grafton Street, Dublin where he will be joined by Brush, Doc, Clint and the Gang as well as Imelda May, Brian Kennedy, Red Hurley and many more musical stars.
THE HOLLY BEARS THE CROWN
Music and legends about our Christmas plant. Produced for RTE Radio 1 by Genii Productions
A CHRISTMAS GATHERING WITH PAT KENNY
A festive gathering featuring poetry and readings for Christmas Day selected by Niall McMonagle and read by Cathy Belton and Barry Barnes. And a panel on epiphanies, life changing moments in Sport from Eamon Dunphy, Science from Michael Fitzgerald, Film from Peter Sheridan and Theatre from Michael Harding. Music by The Palestrina Boys Choir, Stella Bass, Jack L, Paula Flynn, Tommy Flemming and The Harlem Gospel Choir.
SANTA CLAUSE OF LONLINESS
Bill Long spends Christmas in the company of Thomas Merton With Patrick Dawson as Thomas Merton and Joe Taylor as Erskine Caldwell
DRIVING HOME WITH MAXI
With Christmas preparations and travel almost complete and Santa on his way
Maxi takes us through the evening with lively music and conversation
AT THE ROUND EARTH’S IMAGINED CORNERS
Pat Boran and guests share their favourite seasonal poems, fiction, song and story.
NIGEL WOOD’S WIDE WORLD OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC
Nigel Wood explores Christmas music wherever it is celebrated around the world.
Conversations at the Áras
This short series of programmes follows on from last year’s Presidential Lecture Series. Again it is a collaboration between the office of the President and RTÉ.
Liam Clancy
A tribute to the late singer from the Radio 1 Music Collection In Concert Series. Re-broadcast on Friday 11th December, 2009.
After The Flood
Hear extracts from the day's coverage of the floods that swept the country.
The Day After
Hear extracts from the day after the Republic of Ireland's controversial defeat in Paris.
Remember, Remember...1969
The events and the music of 1969 and their implications 40 years later.
Language Tape Disco
The programme brings together the languages and music of Europe and re-imagines the conventions of that beloved travel accessory, the Language Tape.
Elections
Party Political broadcasts for 2009 on RTÉ Radio 1.
WORK SONGS
Luke Clancy explores the music of the worker and the workplace with guests John Kelly and Gerry Godley
PASSION PLAYERS presented by Gay Byrne
The story of the Passion and death of Jesus Christ, presented by Gay Byrne.
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2009
RTÉ Radio 1 coverage of this year's Eurovision Song Contest live from Moscow
SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET 2009
Details, reaction and analysis of the Supplementary Budget speech by the Minister for Finance.
Clubs, Parishes and People
In this St. Patrick's Day Special, Damien O' Reilly and panel look at the vital role played by the local GAA in rural Ireland.
WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP
Listen back to Bernard Dunne's challenge for the WBA World Super Bantamweight title against Panamanian, Ricardo "Maestrito" Cordoba.
Munster v Leinster
LIVE coverage from Thomond Park of the Magners League top of the 2004 table clash between Munster and Leinster.
FRIEL AT 80
Brian Friel celebrates his 80th Birthday this week so in honour of this famous playwright RTÉ Radio are broadcasting three of his most famous plays on air.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009
Join John Creedon and friends for some reflections on the year gone by and some anticipation for the year to come with a mix of good music and warm cheer.
Special Programmes Archive 2008
OBAMA '08
A journey through the US Presidential election, with Fergal Keane.
Throughout the year RTE's Fergal Keane reported from the US on the Presidential Election for Drivetime.
IDIR AN DÁ NOLLAIG
Déanann Cathal Póirtéir ceiliúradh ar an chuid seo bliana sa cheol agus sa litríocht. A celebration 'between the Christmases' drawing on memoirs, verse and song in Irish.
LEST WE FORGET
Myles Dungan and a panel of guests celebrate, through archive material and personal tributes, some of the national and international figures who have passed away in 2008.
A DAY ON THE WALL
The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing will be remembered for being arguably the most exciting and best run Games of the modern era. From an Irish point of view, there was great success in boxing with a silver medal and two bronze medals.
THE MICHAEL LITTLETON MEMORIAL LECTURE
This year's lecture is entitled "The International Financial Crisis". It is delivered by Dr. Patrick Honohan, Professor of International Financial Economics, Trinity College, Dublin.
CHRISTMAS EVE 2008
Find out whats on this Christmas Eve on RTÉ Radio 1.
CHRISTMAS DAY 2008
Whats on Christmas Day on RTÉ Radio 1? Find out here.
SAINT STEPHENS DAY
The full schedule for St. Stephens Day 2008 on RTÉ Radio 1.
BUDDY CAN YOU SPARE A DIME?
The Wall St. Crash of 1929 and the economic consequences for the lives of ordinary people were mirrored in the popular music of that era in the USA.
Sandy Harsch lets us hear songs and music born of the boom, bust and burst bubbles of the Great Depression 80 years ago.
HISTORY OF DISCO
A special 90-minute programme exploring the history of disco, mixing music with interviews and archive footage.
THE PASSION OF JOHN
Myth and meaning in the life of the late John Moriarty on the first anniversary of his death.
THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2008
Listen back to the semi final and final, along with a look back with Larry Gogan at past Eurovisions down through the years.
Goosebumps and Tingles
Nuala O'Faoláin identifies those particular experiences and occasions which trigger a frisson of memory or delight.
1968- A YEAR OF REVOLUTIONS
Dave Fanning and guests look at the music and events of 1968, a year of political and social upheaval.
GREEN PARTY CONFERENCE
Join John Bowman live from the Green Party Conference 2008 at the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk.
To mark the end of RTÉ Radio 1's Medium Wave service Brendan Balfe will present Medium Wave Goodbye on Monday, 24 March from 1.30pm. Brendan will count down to the switch off at 3pm with a personal choice of rare, medium and well-done moments from the Irish airwaves.
PÁDRAIG NA LEABHAR
Céiliúradh ar Lá Fhéile Padraig i Rotha Mór an tSaoil, Dialann Deorai, in amhráin agus i gceol rince. An Irish language celebration of St Patrick's Day in story and song.
SINN FÉIN ARD FHEIS
Join John Bowman live from the RDS in Dublin for this special programme from the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis.
PHILOSOPHY OF ABSENCE
As a tribute to the poet and philosopher John O' Donoghue, who died recently, a rebroadcast of the 1997 Open Mind Guest Lecture in which he spoke on the philosophy of absence.
A DATE WITH 2008: NEW YEAR'S EVE SPECIAL
Join John Creedon and friends for some reflections on the year gone by and some anticipation for the year to come.
With a mix of some cool music and warm cheer, the show will ring in the New Year with the help of festivities at the national Concert Hall at midnight.
HADN'T WE THE GAIETY
Tony Kenny remembers some of the performers who graced the stage of Dublin's Gaiety Theatre.
Special Programmes Archive 2007
TOMMY MAKEM REMEMBERED
A tribute to the great Co. Armagh folk and ballad singer, songwriter and entertainer, Tommy Makem of Keady, who passed away on 1st August this year at the age of 74.
THE NASHVILLE SESSIONS
Niall Toner and producer Aidan Butler traveled to Nashville in October to cover the International Bluegrass Music Awards.
LEST WE FORGET
Rachael English and panel of guests celebrate, through archive and personal tribute, some of the national and international figures who have passed away in 2007.
ST. STEPHEN'S DAY 2007
Special programming for St. Stephen's Day, Wednesday 26th December 2007, on RTÉ Radio 1
CHRISTMAS DAY 2007
Special programming for Christmas Day, Tuesday 25th December 2007, on RTÉ Radio 1
CHRISTMAS EVE 2007
Special programming for Christmas Eve, Monday 24th December 2007, on RTÉ Radio 1
JOE DUFFY ON GRAFTON STREET
Joe invites listeners to join him for his traditional Christmas Eve programme, live from Grafton Street. Familiar faces such as Brendan O'Carroll, Brush Shields and many more will be stopping by to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and add to the festive fun!
HAIRSHIRTS AND GIVEAWAYS
In a special Budget Day programme, Alan Torney looks back through the archives at budgets from the past which caused controversy in their time.
THE MAESTRO REMEMBERED
A tribute to the late Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
The music and song of the great tenor featuring favourites as chosen by listeners to RTÉ Radio 1; archive material; Pavarotti's Irish connections and special guests.
JOHN KELLY IN PUBLIC
Peter Brook, world acclaimed Theatre Director, this year's special guest at the 50th Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival talks with John Kelly.
KING OF THE HIGH C'S
Luciano Pavarotti, whose vibrant high C's and ebullient showmanship made him the most beloved and celebrated tenor since Caruso and one of the few opera singers to win crossover fame as a popular superstar, died this morning at his home in Modena, Italy. He was 71. Ian Fox presents a tribute to the great singer.
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