Veteran radio and TV broadcaster (and total legend) John Creedon is currently the host of RTÉ Radio 1's evening mainstay The John Creedon Show and Creedon's Epic East on RTÉ One. Here, in his own inimitable fashion, the man known as Creedo offers us his choice cultural selections:

Film

I'm not a 'culture vulture' in the traditional sense, insofar as my radio show (RTÉ Radio 1, weeknights from 8-10pm ) limits my attendance at openings, theatre and cinema somewhat. Weekends are mostly for walking and catching up with my extensive family (11 siblings, 4 daughters, 23 nieces and nephews, etc!).  However, I do love cinema, particularly Irish cinema and the most recent Irish film I saw was Young Offenders. A hoot from start to finish - it was a wonderful surprise to sit in the cinema in Blackpool on Cork City's northside and watch the opening scenes unfold. They had been filmed in the streets just outside the cinema. The older I get, the more I love to see youth get it's fling. As with the last economic recession, young people haven't wasted the 'idle hours' . The lack of economic 'opportunity' creates a space for reflection, enquiry and pursuing the stuff that actually excites you.Many people spent the last few years catching their breath, writing, talking, strumming guitars and 'havin' a go' at things. There is a completely new generation of writers and filmmakers in their 20s and 30s ready to rock. Recently, I've been asked to write and perform in a number of films and television projects and I've been really re-energised by the talent and can-do attitude of young Irish filmmakers.

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Music

I could write a book on this one!  Again, there's a new wave of Irish singer songwriters emerging, particularly from the ranks of young traditional musicians. We film a six part series for RTÉ at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann every year and the quality of playing continues to rise and rise. Mere teenagers are knocking out staggering arrangements of traditional tunes along with their own compositions. The workshops and classes at Scoil Eigse have been the engine room.

In terms of concerts, the past 12 months has yielded plenty of ones to remember. Paul Simon at the 3 Arena just recently was sweet and ska band 'The Service' at Mike The Pies in Listowel before Christmas was a great work-out for an aging rudeboy!

Just as Leonard Cohen at Kilmainham will be remembered by many of us a special evening, the right setting and atmosphere can be the icing on a memorable performance. In that regard, hosting An Evening with John Prine at the American ambassador's residence was a personal favourite, as the songs of John Prine have been a constant life companion of mine, so it was a real honour to present it. 

Pink Floyd's David Gilmour live at the Roman Amphithetre in Pula, Croatia last Summer was spine tingling and Maori Jazz/Funk outfit Fat Freddy's Drop playing to 20,000 people in an old volcano crater near Auckland was hypnotic. At events like this, I am covered in goosebumps and bursting with gratitude.

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Book

If I could resist the temptation of social media, I'd probably read more. There was a time when I would have a couple of books on the go at the same time. Mostly non-fiction: autobiographies, social history, folklore, philosophy, wildlife...

Currently, I'm reading four or five pages of Michael Viney's A Year's Turning. It's a heart-warming observation of life in rural Ireland. John Stewart Collis gave us The Worm Forgives the Plough, a similar work, that I kept on my bedside locker for years.

TV & Radio

At the risk of being facetious, I seem to subscribe to Marshall McLuhan's view that 'Television is not something to watch. It's something to be on'. Because I work evenings, I rarely watch television passively. More often than not, I will seek out a programme online and watch it there. Mostly documentaries and films.

I'm pretty much RTÉ Radio 1 all day and BBC 4 if I wake in the middle of the night!

I'm a fan of RTÉ Radio 1's Documentary on One and weekends wouldn't be the same without a big breakfast, the newspapers and supplements all over the kitchen table and Radio 1 on in the background. Bliss!

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Theatre & Galleries

I lived in Dublin for 13 years in the '80s & '90s, when I attended virtually everything. I was on the critic's circle at the Dublin Theatre Festival and once attended 9 plays in 6 days! These days, my work schedule precludes most theatre and gallery events. But, I'm inclined to drift into the Crawford and Glucksman galleries for an hour or so when I'm out and about in Cork. I have a lot of catching up to do, if I ever retire. If!