Katie Hannon explores the National Archives in The Records Show, there's Much Ado about Shakespeare on the Beeb, Doireann Ní Ghlacáin hosts Curfá, and Little Richard is the subject of I Am Everything . . .
Pick of the Day
The Records Show, 6.30pm, RTÉ One
Streaming on RTÉ Player
This new two-part series fits nicely into the Sunday evening navel-gazing shows in the post 6pm slot.
Katie Hannon explores the shelves of the National Archives of Ireland, digging out previously undisturbed documents, before heading out across the country to follow the trail of the stories behind them.
The first programme takes her to the abandoned railways of Co Donegal, a life-changing housing estate in Clonakilty and a boggy hilltop in North Mayo that became the front line in a David against Goliath battle.
Don’t Miss
House of Kardashian, 9.00pm, Sky Documentaries
Streaming on NOW
This look back at the evolution of the K dynasty continues.
Kris thinks a family reality show will secure her family’s fortunes, but the Kardashians still aren’t famous enough.
Kris' second daughter is the key to making Kris' dreams a reality.
Kim works for reality star Paris Hilton and is becoming 'fame adjacent' in the process.
But the mother and daughter want more and against the backdrop of noughties 'raunch culture', a controversial sex tape emerges making Kim Kardashian a household name.
Kim’s notoriety from the tape is the catalyst and Kris’ reality TV show is commissioned and taps into a massive global female audience who buy in to the family’s glamourous lifestyle.
Kris orchestrates the deals as her daughter’s all-powerful 'momager’ but the pressure of creating storylines and baring-all takes its toll, especially on Kim’s personal life.
The Meaning of Life, 10.30pm, RTÉ One
Streaming on RTÉ Player
Joe Duffy chats to Ireland's former chief medical officer Tony Holohan, who talks about the loss of his wife Eimear to cancer while he was spearheading the response to Covid-19.
He speaks frankly about why medical scandals predominantly affect women, including his views on the cervical check controversy.
He also offers revealing insights into his decision to withdraw from a publicly funded, but privately arranged, secondment to Trinity College.
Boiling Point, 9.00pm, BBC One
The breathlessly intense drama continues.
The financial crunch is hitting Point North hard, and Carly is under pressure to save money by firing someone.
Instead, she chooses to reduce the hours of the pot-washing team, but this sends Jake, who is caring for his younger sister and deep in debt, into a panic.
Liam then attempts to pressure Carly into hosting a wedding, while a new sous chef could be the answer to everyone's prayers.
A Midsummer Night's Dream, 8.15pm, BBC Four
If you’re looking for Shakespeare, you’ve come to the right place.
There’s more than six hours of The Bard tonight, beginning with A Midsummer Night's Dream.
A woman and her lover elope, pursued by her jealous suitor and his lovesick admirer. They all fall under the spell of a mischievous fairy, causing their feelings for each other to run wild.
Elsewhere, a bumbling troupe of would-be thespians is having difficulty in performing their play when the leading man undergoes a strange transformation.
Russell T Davies's (above) adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy, starring Maxine Peake, Matt Lucas and John Hannah was first broadcast in 2016.
It’s preceded at 8pm by Russell T Davies Remembers - A Midsummer Night's Dream, where the Doctor Who and It's a Sin writer recalls how his dream of bringing the Shakespeare comedy to the small screen became a reality.
Then at 9.45pm there’s The Merchant of Venice.
Frank Finlay plays money-lender Shylock in this 1972 TV production of Shakespeare's tale of debt, love and retribution. Also starring Maggie Smith, Charles Gray, Robert Harris and Nerys Hughes.
Finally, at midnight there’s Richard III. The final part of the Royal Shakespeare Company's epic staging of the bard's Wars of the Roses plays from 1964 , starring Roy Dotrice and Ian Holm.
New or Returning Shows
Curfá, 8.30pm, TG4
Doireann Ní Ghlacáin (below) heads in search of the best choir in Ireland, hearing from the country's very best choirs on the Helix stage, both young and old, as they perform a wide range of musical genres.
This first episode sees the Open Arts Community Choir, the Academy Chamber Choir and Choir Club set out to impress judges Moya Brennan, Colm Ó Foghlú and Nell Ní Chróinín.
Sunday Cinema
Little Richard: I Am Everything, 11.00pm, Channel 4
By all accounts this is a superb documentary and would be a great introduction to one of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s pioneers and a true maverick.
Little Richard was also influential in giving The Beatles their voice, as Paul McCartney was a huge fan and modeled his uptempo singing style on the flamboyant performer.
Contributors to the film include John Waters, Mick Jagger and Tom Jones.
Us, 10.00pm, BBC Two
Jordan Peele's horror thriller, starring Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke and Elisabeth Moss should do the trick if you don’t fancy a good night’s sleep tonight.
In 1986, young Adelaide goes on holiday with her parents to Santa Cruz. During a trip to the circus, she encounters a terrifying presence in a hall of mirrors.
Years later, with a family of her own, their world is turned upside when Adelaide's past comes back to haunt her.
Family Flick
How to Train Your Dragon, 2.00pm, Channel 4
Animated fantasy, with the voices of Jay Baruchel and Gerard Butler.
A clumsy Viking boy longs to become a mighty dragon slayer and protect his village from the fearsome flying lizards, but his father thinks he is not up to the task
But when he sets out to prove his worth, he ends up befriending a dragon, and realises his people may have misjudged the creatures.
Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup 2023, 3.30pm, RTÉ2
Streaming on RTÉ Player
Here are the final two quarter-finals at this year’s Rugby World Cup.
First up it’s England v Fiji (KO 4pm) at Stade de Marseille.
England comfortably topped Pool D ahead of Argentina, Japan, Samoa and Chile with a 100 per cent record and will be considered as favourites to progress to the semi-finals.
But while Fiji suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Portugal last time out, they demonstrated what they are capable of when they overcame Australia - and defeated England for the first time just two months ago at Twickenham.
Then at 7.30pm, the focus moves to France v South Africa (KO 8pm), as the hosts take on the holders at Stade de France.
The French topped Pool A ahead of New Zealand, Italy, Uruguay and Namibia with a 100 per cent record and will have high hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time.
But while the Springboks were runners-up to Ireland in Pool B, the three-time champions can never be counted out on the big occasions.
