Culture | Books, Music, Theatre, Film & The Arts

Poetry Programme host Olivia O'Leary with poet Martina Evans

Poetry Programme: Martina Evans & Eoin Devereux

In the Poetry Programme on 15th December 2019, at 7:30 pm on RTÉ Radio 1, Martina Evans joins presenter Olivia O'Leary to read poems old and new, and Eoin Devereux reads from a new anthology of poems by working-class writers.

the poetry programme • 16 Dec 19

Poet Catherine Phil MacCarthy with Poetry Programme host Olivia O Leary

Poetry Programme: Mary O'Donnell & Catherine Phil MacCarthy

In the Poetry Programme on 1st December 2019, at 7:30 pm on RTÉ Radio 1, presenter Olivia O'Leary is joined by poets Mary O'Donnell and Catherine Phil MacCarthy.

Poetry • 02 Dec 19

Poetry Programme: Deirdre Brennan and Tom French live

In the Poetry Programme on 24th November 2019, at 7:30 pm on RTÉ Radio 1, poets Deirdre Brennan and Tom French join presenter Olivia O'Leary at an event recorded during the summer in Emo Court, Co Laois...

Poetry Programme • 25 Nov 19

The Poetry Programme: Michael J Whelan and Martin Dyar

In the Poetry Programme on 10th November 2019, at 7:30 pm on RTÉ Radio 1, presenter Olivia O'Leary speaks with poets Michael J Whelan, who will be reading his poem Gallipoli, and Martin Dyar

Poetry Programme • 08 Nov 19

Poet Ailbhe Ni Ghearbhuigh reads at Doneraile Court

The Poetry Programme: Bernard O'Donoghue & Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh

In the Poetry Programme on 3rd November 2019, at 7:30 pm on RTÉ Radio 1, presenter Olivia O'Leary is joined by poets Bernard O'Donoghue and Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh.

Poetry • 01 Nov 19

Poet Medbh McGuckian joins Olivia O Leary on The Poetry Programme

The Poetry Programme: Colette Bryce & Medbh McGuckian speak

In the Poetry Programme on 27th October 2019, at 7:30 pm on RTÉ Radio 1, Colette Bryce recalls growing up in Derry during the Troubles, and we have a reading from Belfast poet Medbh McGuckian.

the poetry programme • 25 Oct 19

Paula Meehan (L) joins host Olivia O Leary for a live edition of The Poetry Programme

The Poetry Programme celebrates Paula Meehan

In the Poetry Programme on 20th October 2019, at 7:30 pm on RTÉ Radio 1, Paula Meehan gives a mesmerizing performance at an event hosted by Olivia O'Leary and recorded before an audience in Donegal.

Poetry Programme • 21 Oct 19

The Poetry Programme returns to RTÉ Radio 1, with Stephen Sexton & host Olivia O'Leary

Super Mario and my mother - The Poetry Programme returns

The Poetry Programme, presented by Olivia O'Leary, returns for a new ten-part series on Sunday 13th October at 7:30 pm on RTÉ Radio 1 - listen to a preview.

Poetry Programme • 18 Oct 19

The Heart of Summer - bringing poetry to Ireland's great houses

This summer, Olivia O'Leary, acclaimed journalist and presenter of RTÉ Radio 1's Poetry Programme, will host The Heart of Summer, a feast of poetry and music in some of Ireland's great historic houses.

Poetry • 03 Jul 19

The Poetry Programme - rediscovering poet Freda Laughton

On the Poetry Programme on Sunday 12th May at 7:30 pm on RTÉ Radio 1, presenter Olivia O'Leary meets Harry Clifton, former Ireland Professor of Poetry, and Emma Penney makes a remarkable discovery about the poet Freda Laughton.

Poetry • 10 May 19

Paul Muldoon and Poetry Programme host Olivia O'Leary

Poetry Programme preview - the mighty Muldoon speaks!

In the Poetry Programme at 7:30 pm on Sunday 31st March on RTÉ Radio 1 one of the most distinctive voices in Irish poetry, acclaimed poet Paul Muldoon, joins Olivia O'Leary.

Poetry • 29 Mar 19

The Christmas Poetry Programme: Back Row (L to R): Billy Ramsell, Andrew Bennett, Robbie Overson, Front Row (L to R): Eimear Quinn, Colette Bryce, Cathy Belton, Ian Robertson and host Olivia O'Leary

Poetry Programme preview - Christmas words and music

At 5pm on Christmas Day Olivia O'Leary presents an hour-long festive Poetry Programme, produced in association with Poetry Ireland and recorded in the magnificent ballroom of Farmleigh House.

Poetry • 21 Dec 18

Poetry Programme host Olivia O Leary and poet Ailbhe Darcy

Poetry Programme preview: TS Eliot Prize nominee Ailbhe Darcy

In the Poetry Programme at 7:30 pm on Sunday 16th December on RTÉ Radio 1, Olivia O'Leary meets Ailbhe Darcy, whose collection Insistence has been shortlisted for the prestigious 2018 TS Eliot Prize.

the poetry programme • 13 Dec 18

Natayla O Flaherty, Poetry Programme host Olivia O Leary and Sarah Crossan

Poetry Programme: Sarah Crossan & Natalya O'Flaherty

In the Poetry Programme on Sunday 2nd December at 7:30 pm on RTÉ Radio 1, Olivia O'Leary meets Laureate na nÓg Sarah Crossan and performance poet Natalya O'Flaherty.

Poetry • 03 Dec 18

Poetry Programme host Olivia O'Leary with Michael Longley

The Poetry Programme celebrates Michael Longley

Now in his 80th year, Michael Longley is one of our greatest poets, and on 11th and 18th November the Poetry Programme has an extended interview recorded at his home in Belfast.

Poetry • 12 Nov 18

Poetry Programme host Olivia O Leary, with poet Kim Moore

Poetry Programme preview - young British poets speak up

On the Poetry Programme on 21st October Olivia O'Leary is joined by two young British poets, Raymond Antrobus and Kim Moore, who have both been making a name for themselves.

Poetry • 19 Oct 18

Watch: Olivia O'Leary reads a classic W.B. Yeats poem

In this Poetry Programme video, funded by RTÉ Radio 1 and the Office of Public Works, and made in association with Poetry Ireland, presenter Olivia O'Leary reads a favourite poem by W. B. Yeats, 'He wishes for the cloths of heaven'.

Poetry • 27 Sep 18

Poets Pat Boran and Kerry Hardie feature in the first edition of the new series of The Poetry Programme

The Poetry Programme returns - the poems of summer

The first programme in the new series brings us back to the sun-drenched days of July, when Poetry Programme presenter Olivia O'Leary hosted three live events, which were produced by Poetry Ireland in association with the Office of Public Works.

Poetry • 16 Sep 18

Jim Lucey (L) and Jean O Brien (R) join Olivia O Leary (centre) on this week's Poetry Programme

Poetry Programme Preview - shining a light on mental health

In the Poetry Programme on 1st April, psychiatrist Jim Lucey and poet Jean O'Brien join presenter Olivia O'Leary for a discussion of poetry and mental health.

Poetry • 30 Mar 18

Jackie Kay joins Olivia O'Leary for the first episode of the new

Poetry Programme Preview: Jackie Kay & Leanne O'Sullivan speak up

The Poetry Programme returns to RTÉ Radio 1 for a new spring series, as presenter Olivia O'Leary meets two poets with distinctive and powerful voices: Leanne O'Sullivan and Jackie Kay.

Poetry • 23 Mar 18

RTÉ Poetry Programme host Olivia O'Leary

The Christmas Poetry Programme - listen to a preview

At 5 pm on Christmas Day the Christmas Poetry Programme offers an hour of poetry, conversation and music, with guests including Rita Ann Higgins, Tom French and Marie Heaney.

Poetry • 22 Dec 17

Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin and Olivia O'Leary

Poetry Programme preview: Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin speaks

In the RTÉ Poetry Programme on 9th December, Ireland Professor of Poetry Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin joins Olivia O'Leary to talk about music, poetry and her love of Italy.

Poetry • 08 Dec 17

Eavan Boland, recipient of the Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award at the Irish Book Awards, talks to Olivia O'Leary on the Poetry Programme

Poetry Programme preview - Irish, Moroccan & Galician poets

It's a busy week on the RTÉ Poetry Programme this Saturday, 2 December, at 7:30 on RTÉ Radio 1...

Poetry • 01 Dec 17

Poet Conor O'Callaghan has just released his latest collection, entitled Live Streaming

Poetry Programme preview - the new man at the New Yorker

On Saturday 25th November on RTÉ Radio 1, Conor O'Callaghan joins Olivia O'Leary on the RTÉ Poetry Programme to talk about his latest collection, and we hear from the new poetry editor of the New Yorker magazine, Kevin Young.

Poetry • 24 Nov 17

RTÉ Poetry Programme Preview - Celebrating Patrick Kavanagh

On Saturday 4th November Noel Monahan and Enda Wyley join Olivia O'Leary to talk about the poetry of Patrick Kavanagh, marking the 50th anniversary of his death in November 1967.

Poetry • 03 Nov 17

Olivia OLeary