Responding to the Ukraine Crisis

Content and programming to support audiences

Ireland For Ukraine Campaign

RTÉ was among a group of Ireland’s leading media organisations who came together in April to form an unprecedented coalition, and launch a public fundraising campaign, Ireland for Ukraine. The campaign, in Irish and in English, aimed to raise vital funds for those affected by the conflict, as well as those who have been displaced. The campaign was inspired by the incredible level of public support from Ireland for Ukraine.

RTÉ played a significant role as the initiative featured across local and national radio, television, print and online media, with all proceeds received and distributed by registered charity, The Community Foundation for Ireland, who have 22 years’ experience in philanthropy and grant making. The new fund was supported by a €5million donation from the Government of Ireland and raised more than €7million.

A 30-second promotion was created for television and aired across multiple broadcasters supporting the campaign. RTÉ also made a number of short reels available to staff and to the general public for their personal social media channels to support the #IrelandForUkraine message.

In October 2022 Ireland for Ukraine Fund announced details of €5.2 Million in grants with money raised being used to help meet the needs of those seeking safety in Ireland as well as men, women and children living on the ground in Ukraine in the shadow of the war..

The Late Late Show Irish Red Cross Fundraising Appeal for Ukraine

Through the enormous generosity and goodwill of the Irish people, The Late Late Show Irish Red Cross fundraising appeal for Ukraine in March raised over €3million of vital funds. The funds helped those directly impacted by the war in Ukraine and assisted the humanitarian work of those directly on the ground in providing basic human needs such as food, water, medical supplies and shelter. This work was carried out by the Red Cross Societies on the ground in Ukraine and surrounding countries including Poland, Romania and Hungary.

This special RTÉ Late Late Show was dedicated to the crisis and heard from Ukrainian’s living in Ireland about their concerns and worries for their families and friends, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, humanitarian Adi Roche, Dublin band Aslan, singer/songwriter Róisín Murphy, Hollywood actor Alan Cumming who all supported the appeal and paid respect to the people of Ukraine.

Dee Forbes, Director General of RTÉ, said at the time: The tragedy unfolding in Ukraine over the past week has been extremely difficult to watch and to comprehend. We are all now acutely aware of the scale and impact of Russia’s shocking attack on Ukraine and the personal stories of loss, suffering and fear among those living in and around Ukraine, as well as their loved ones living here. These events are having an enormous impact on all of us, but it is vital that we continue to tell these stories in every way we can. The truth matters. I’d like to once again thank the Irish public for giving so generously to last night’s Late Late Show appeal which will help the Red Cross cope with the crisis on the ground.

Ryan Tubridy, host of The Late Late Show said at the time: We were taken aback in a really good way by what happened last night. The Irish people rose to the occasion and donated over three million euro which is just remarkable. The story in Ukraine has touched the nation’s hearts and the bravery and courage of the Ukrainian people to come to the audience last night, it won’t be forgotten and is greatly appreciated. As always, the whole Late Late Show team, are gratefully beyond belief to the Irish people for what they did last night.

Christmas in The Castle - Happy Xmas (War Is Over) with Jack Lukeman and Shobsy

In a special CHRISTMAS IN THE CASTLE, Jack Lukeman & Shobsy performed the John Lennon/Yoko Ono Christmas classic with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the DCU Chamber Choir, Glória LGBTQ+ Choir and the Donnycarney Ukrainian Community Choir, in support of www.IrelandforUkraine.ie.

CHRISTMAS IN THE CASTLE was broadcast at 9.30pm on RTÉ One on Christmas Eve.

The show was produced by David Whelan and the director was Pat Cowap.

The War at Home – TV documentary on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player

RTÉ One documentary The War at Home shared remarkable stories of people fighting the War on Ukraine from Ireland and captured the Irish response to the crisis in Ukraine on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Monday 19th September. This moving, inspiring and engaging documentary which is still available on RTÉ Player offers a human insight into the first-hand experiences of those who have been displaced, the continuing generosity of the Irish people and the challenges that lie ahead. It also follows the experiences of Ukrainians forced to travel to Ireland, as they and the already established Ukrainian community here watch the destruction of their motherland unfold from a distance of 3,000km.

The documentary charts this period of turmoil from the invasion back in February to the continuing crisis which has seen over 40,000 refugees enter the country, and follows nine Ukrainian and Irish individuals who each share their remarkable stories and experiences.

Some of the interviewees include Grace Kennedy, a law tutor at the University of Galway, who left her job at the beginning of the war and has since raised over €70,000 and organised aid, transport and support. To date, she has brought over 5,000 Ukrainians to Ireland safely and into homes with the help of bus driver Aidan Geraghty from Roscommon. A number of the refugees who Grace and Aidan helped to bring home also share their experiences of arriving and settling into new homes in Ireland.

The War at Home aired on Monday 19th September at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and remains available on RTÉ Player.