Brendan O'Connor

Joining Dearbhail to dissect the Sunday papers are Dr Graham Finlay, Assistant Prof. of Politics and International Relations, UCD; Dr Keire Murphy, Senior Policy Advisor at the ESRI, Cormac Lucey, Economics Columnist with The Sunday Times, and Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent, The Irish Times.

Anna Carey's new novel 'Our Song', explores a will-they-won't-they relationship between Tadgh and Laura - ex-bandmates from their college days. Anna chatted with Dearbhail about her life in bands, delving into her teenage diaries, and coming to terms with infertility.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of chef Anthony Bourdain's explosive memoir 'Kitchen Confidential'. Dave Hanratty explores the aspects of Bourdain's life and work, which made him a cultural touchstone for many.

Entertainment journalist Brian Lloyd, and writer Henrietta McKervey, give their recommendations on what to watch for the week ahead.

Singer songwriter Brian Kennedy choses five songs that tell the story of his life. He talked to Dearbhail about growing up in Belfast during the troubles, busking on the streets of London before playing with Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell. His music includes ABBA, U2, and Kate Bush

As Washington DC prepares for a massive military parade later today, marking the 250th birthday of the US Army, and coinciding with President Trump's 79th birthday, broadcaster and writer, Bonnie Greer, spoke with Dearbhail about current events in the US, and about Juneteenth - the holiday sometimes considered 'Black America's Independence Day'.

Professor Brendan Kelly joins Dearbhail on the science behind how the heat affects our moods and what you can do to keep calm on those hot summer days.

Anne Marie Allen speaks to Dearbhail about her experiences with Opus Dei as a young woman in the late 1970s. Her biography 'Serve', tells the story of her path from initially joining a training course, to becoming an 'Assistant Numerary'. Anne Marie describes how immersing herself in education allowed her to thrive in her life after Opus Dei.

The arrival of summer brings different routines in our lives... and can cause a bit of chaos around the home. Professional organiser, Vera Keohane, gave Dearbhail some tips to help tackle clutter, and streamline our homes.

"You just have to abide by a few simple rules..." Ann Marie Dunne from TU Dublin School of Bakery gives a masterclass on the traditional summer sponge cake

Joining Dearbhail to dissect the Sunday papers are Sarah Carey, Irish Independent Columnist, Prof. Rónán Collins, Consultant Geriatrician, Sam Tranum, Editor of the Dublin Inquirer and Louise Burne, Political Correspondent for the Irish Mirror.

Singer, musician, and actor, Camille O'Sullivan talks Dearbhail through five songs that have shaped her life. From Bob Dylan soundtracking a second chance at life, to the Lloyd Cole song that symbolises her relationship with actor Aidan Gillen.

With mundane items, from a collection of seashells kept by writer Joan Didion and several coffee machines owned by director David Lynch fetching extreme interest and top dollar from fans, what is it that attracts buyers to certain celebrity auctions? Co-founder of Julien's Auctions, Martin Nolan talks to Dearbhail.

Chief Film Correspondent for the Irish Times, Donald Clarke and Freelance Culture Journalist Zara Hedderman join Dearbhail to assess the latest film and T.V. releases.

Samantha Mumba joined Dearbhail to reflect on her 25 years in the music business, why she wanted to represent Ireland in the Eurovision, the pressure she felt as a young female singer in the 90s, and why she's excited to be playing her first Irish festival at Beyond the Pale.

Filmmaker Mark McLaughlin reflects on the life of Sunny Jacobs, who died this week, and her husband, Peter Pringle. Both had been sentenced to death in their younger days and subsequently dedicated their lives to helping exonerees. Their stories are captured in Mark's new film 'Stolen Lives'.

Mark Little, tech entrepreneur and journalist, joined Dearbhail to analyse the very public falling out between President Trump and Elon Musk, who has the most to lose, and what their spat means for the wider world.

Former US President Bill Clinton and author James Patterson speak with Dearbhail about their new political thriller, The First Gentleman. They talk about political polarisation and writing in a time when truth is stranger than fiction.

CEO, activist and writer Sinéad Burke joined Dearbhail to talk about why activism can be lonely, the changes she's instigated in the fashion industry and why she will always be hopeful for a brighter future for people living with a disability.

Geraldine Herbert, Motoring editor of The Irish Independent talked Dearbhail through everything you need to know before buying a second-hand electric vehicle.

Dan Hannigan, Executive Chef with Bereen Brothers gives Dearbhail a tutorial on how to master restaurant quality dressings and sauces at home.

Joining Brendan to dissect the Sunday papers are Brenda Power, Sunday Times & Irish Daily Mail columnist; Economist David W Higgins; Louise Bayliss, Head of Justice & Social Policy, St Vincent de Paul and Larry Donnelly, Lecturer in the School of Law in the University of Galway.

Professor Katriona O'Sullivan reflects on the last two years since her award-winning memoir, ‘Poor' came out, charting her life growing up in addiction and poverty. She also reveals details of the new play adaptation of ‘Poor' in The Gate Theatre and her DNA journey to uncover her late father's true backstory.

Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost) was chosen a month ago as the new leader of the Catholic Church. Brendan is joined by former editor of the Irish Catholic and director of public affairs for Aid to the Church in Need, Michael Kelly. His book details the life and beliefs of the new Pope and what direction he could bring the Church in.

RTÉ Guide Movie Editor Michael Doherty and Entertainment Journalist and Broadcaster Sarina Bellissimo join Brendan for our weekly look at the latest TV and film releases.

Award-winning actress Fiona Shaw talks about her Cork upbringing, her career in theatre, opera, film and TV and meeting her wife, Sonali, who lost her husband and children in a tsunami. She also picks five songs that have meant something special to her throughout her life from Bob Marley to Tracy Chapman to Leonard Cohen.

Nóra Quoirin was 15 years old when she died in tragic circumstances while on a family holiday in Malaysia in 2019. Today, on Nóra's birthday, her mother Meabh talks to Brendan about her brave, brilliant daughter. Meabh describes a powerful evening at Queen's University Belfast, where Nóra was celebrated through poetry and music.

Authors Naoise Dolan, John Banville & Emer McLysaght bring us an eclectic list of book recommendations for your suitcase this summer.

Leisha Redmond McGrath, chartered work and coaching psychologist talks to Brendan about the long-lasting benefits of kids helping-out with household chores, the tricks to getting kids and teenagers on board, and how chores can build confidence and resilience long into their adulthood.

Eamon de Freitas, Irish-Trinidadian Chef tells Brendan why a marinade might be your ticket to big flavour.

Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday papers are Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent, The Irish Examiner; Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute, Peter Brown, Managing Director of Baggot Investment Partners, Susanne Rogers, Research and Policy Analyst, Social Justice Ireland.

Academic Mary Ann Kenny joins Brendan to talk about her new book The Episode which details her mental health struggles after the death of her husband, how her overwhelming guilt and fears for her children consumed her to an extreme level causing her to lose touch with reality and the events that led to her eventual recovery.

Guns ‘n' Roses, Foo Fighters, and The Who – three bands which have fired their drummers in recent weeks. Why? Musician Cait O'Riordain has been studying "small team dynamics" - a.k.a. Bands!

Irish Times Arts Journalist, Nadine O'Regan and Dave O'Callaghan, host of the Here and Back Again Podcast, give Brendan their recommendations for the best T.V. and films to watch for the week ahead.

In the week that U2 were honoured at the Ivor Novello Awards, Bono spoke to Brendan about fatherhood, music, politics, and the criticism he received earlier this year for accepting an award from President Joe Biden. He also spoke about the new film, Bono: Stories of Surrender, which will be released next week on Apple TV.

Writers Ann and Róisín Ingle join Brendan to talk about how they are dealing with the ageing process, how a life of dieting affected them, self-image and health, the importance of a top-sheet and how they are managing to let go of those minor everyday irritations.

With the summer holidays just on the horizon, Brendan is joined by Bill Tyson Consumer Correspondent for The Irish Daily Mail who has some tips on how to budget for your break, dealing with international currencies exchange rates and pacing yourself financially.

Food and drink writer with the Irish Independent, Aoife Carrigy provides a selection of seasonal mocktail and cocktails to suit those evenings of entertaining and garden barbecues.

Joining Brendan to dissect the Sunday Papers are Ailbhe Smyth, Activist and Campaigner, Oísin Coghlan, Public Policy Advisor, Scott Lucas, Professor of U.S. and International Politics, the Clinton Institute at UCD, and, Sinéad McSweeney, Former Global Head of Public Policy at Twitter.

Broadcaster Vogue Williams talks to Brendan about her memoir 'Big Mouth', in which she explores her early forays into fame, the death of her Father, Freddie, and shedding the shame of her divorce from former Westlife singer Brian McFadden.

Gardaí conducting searches for missing people informed by the premonitions of clairvoyants may sound like something from an Ireland long gone, but, not so, according to Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security correspondent with The Irish Times

Business Post film critic John Maguire and Podcaster and Presenter Fionnuala Jones give Brendan their recommendations for the best T.V. and films to watch for the week ahead.