There's plenty to see and hear for Culture lovers across RTÉ this Christmas and New Year - below, we offer a few choice highlights for your delectation - you can also find the RTÉ lyric FM highlights here.
Garech Browne: Last Days At Luggala
Now on RTÉ Player - watch it here.
An intimate film looking back at the life and career of Garech Browne, one of the most acclaimed modern patrons of the arts and Irish culture. His sudden death in 2018 left a gap in the diversity of Irish culture, but in that wake lies a yarn of stories that offer a unique glimpse into Ireland of the 1950s, 1960s and beyond, and a moving story of a man's personal battle against ghosts of the past.
Sunday Miscellany Live At Christmas
Sunday 22 December and Christmas Day, 9.10am, RTÉ Radio 1
This two-part Sunday Miscellany Christmas special, recorded at the National Concert Hall with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra features glorious music, Christmas homecomings, a lost rabbit, a plastic Santa, a splendid Christmas crib... and a ski trip with no snow. The featured writers include Wendy Erskine, Janet Moran, Emer O'Kelly and John F Deane, and the special music guests are Bronagh Gallagher, Sinéad Campbell Wallace, Zoe Conway & John McIntyre, Jo Petit, and the Havana Duo - listen to a preview below.
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Drama On One: Sketches of Donal
Sunday 22 December 2019, 8.00pm, RTÉ Radio 1
In the year of his 20th anniversary, Drama On One presents a tribute to a giant of Irish theatre, Donal McCann. Sketches of Donal considers the highpoints of the master actor's career, such as his searing performance as Frank Hardy in the Abbey production of Faith Healer by Brian Friel, and as Captain Boyle in the Gate production of Juno and the Paycock by Seán O’Casey, alongside memorable screen roles, as Gabriel in John Huston’s film of James Joyce’s story, The Dead, and in numerous Irish films such as December Bride by Thaddeus O’Sullivan and Poitín, Budawanny, and The Bishop’s Story by Bob Quinn. Tina Kellegher narrates, with guests including Ciarán Hinds, David Herlihy, Sinéad Cusack and Bryan Murray, with archive recordings of Pat Laffan, Bob Quinn and Donal McCann himself.
Marking the 20th anniversary of Donal McCann's passing, Drama On One also present another chance to hear him in the radio adaptation of Patrick Kavanagh's Tarry Flynn, first presented in 1979. Kavanagh’s novel was published in 1948. Set in Cavan in the 1930s, Tarry Flynn tells the story of Tarry, a farmer poet, and his quest for big fields, young women and the meaning of life. McCann plays the title role. Tune in to Drama On One on RTÉ Radio 1 at 8pm on Sunday 5 January and Sunday 12 January 2020.
South Wind Blows - Winter Session
Christmas Day, 25th December, 2.00pm, RTÉ Radio 1
Philip King hosts a winter session with some of the names in music who made a big (and beautiful) noise in 2019, including Lankum, Mick Flannery, Sorcha Richardson and Glen Hansard & Lisa O'Neill among others. Featuring hits of the year, Christmas tunes and some great stories, it's going to be a seasonal South Wind Blows session to remember. You can also watch a half-hour version online here at RTÉ Culture, also released on Christmas Day.
The Book Show - Christmas Day Special
Christmas Day, 5.00pm, RTÉ Radio 1
For The Book Show Christmas Special, Rick O'Shea is joined by a collection of some of the country's top writers, to share memories of an exciting year and reminisce about the Christmas books and stories that they love... Guests include Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen, perhaps better known as the authors of the Complete Aisling series of books, author and TV writer Stefanie Preissner and broadcasting legend Joe Duffy. Seasonal readings come from actors Stephen Rea and Norma Sheahan with music provided by Mike Hanrahan and Jerry Fish.
The Poetry Programme Christmas Special
Sunday 25th December, 7pm, RTÉ Radio 1
In a very special Christmas Poetry Programme, presenter Olivia O'Leary brings us an hour of poetry, music and entertaining conversation, in a programme made in collaboration with Poetry Ireland and Kilkenny Castle, now in the care of the Office of Public Works for 50 years. Joining Olivia in the Picture Gallery of Kilkenny Castle are poets Enda Wyley, Victoria Melkovska and Thomas McCarthy, who tell us stories of the Christmases of their childhoods. Poet Adam Wyeth reads us one of his own poems, inspired by a winter’s walk, and actor Sean Campion reads a selection of poems which conjure up Christmas and winter scenes. Two members of Kilkenny’s Rhyme Rag Ensemble, Aaron O’Dea and Orla Browne, perform the classic Twas the Night Before Christmas, probably the best known Christmas poem in the United States. The programme ends with a song by singer-songwriter Ailbhe Reddy, whose ethereal voice soars through the magnificent Picture Gallery of Kilkenny Castle.
Arena: All Together Now Special
Friday 27th December, 8.00pm, RTÉ Radio 1
Arena's Seán Rocks presents a special two-hour long selection of the very best music and chat from All Together Now 2019. The festival, which is now an annual fixture on Ireland's cultural calendar, took place in Curraghmore Estate in Co Waterford in August. This radio special brings together the highlights of RTE's festival coverage, from the music of Leonard Cohen on the Main Stage with the RTE Concert Orchestra, to the fascinating interviews, live performances and panel discussions - including Arena's live show with actors Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls), Alex Murphy (Young Offenders), Moe Dunford (Dark Lies The Island) and Jordanne Jones (Metal Heart) - all of which took place in the dedicated RTE festival tent. All Together Now 2019 was a spectacular summer weekend - revisit the magic with Arena!
Niall Toibin - Everyman
Sunday December 29th at 9:30pm, RTÉ 1
In this intimate and often hilarious documentary, Niall Toibin's daughters begin the task of documenting and archiving the huge collection of movie and theatrical memorabilia which the late actor collected over his long career. As they look back over these memories, the documentary celebrates Niall’s life and career through a series of talking heads from fans and colleagues and a huge amount of wonderful archive. What emerges is a poignant and funny story of a man who managed to excel in every field of Irish entertainment – uniquely successful on radio, stage, TV, film and stand up comedy – as well as an insight into what made him so popular.
Float Like A Butterfly
Sunday, December 29th at 9.40pm, RTÉ 2
RTÉ 1 presents the Irish TV premiere of writer/director Carmel Winters' acclaimed drama set in rural Ireland during the 1960s. Frances (Hazel Doupe) is a teenage Traveller who has coped with tragedy from a young age. With her father Michael (Dara Devaney) in prison, she has learnt to fend for herself, and her devotion to Muhammad Ali has inspired a passion for boxing. When Michael is released, though, he has forthright opinions about how a young woman should behave. As Michael decides to uproot his family and go roaming, fiery Frances begins her own journey of discovery...
Nollaig na mBan Special
Monday 6th January 2020 at 7.00pm, RTÉ Radio 1
Nollaig na mBan is Women's Christmas and all over the country women will hold parties and celebrate with their friends, sisters, mothers, grandmothers, and aunts.
RTÉ Radio 1 will lead this celebration with a special broadcast hosted by writer and broadcaster Sinéad Gleeson, bringing together a stellar group of women in Ireland for short readings and performances from Irish women’s literature, plays, poetry, letters, and music.
With Mary McAleese, Marina Carr, Marian Keyes, Tara Flynn, Eleanor McEvoy, Lisa O’Neill, Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi, Sarah Breen, Emer McLysaght, Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Amy Conroy, Joanne O’Riordan, Aoife Martin, Landless, Elaine Feeney, Alison Spittle, and Derbhle Crotty.
