Brendan O'Connor

Joining Brendan to discuss the top stories in Sunday's newspapers are: doctor and columnist, Maire Treasa Ni Cheallaigh; Sunday Business Post policy editor, Daniel Murray; professor of International Relations at UCD, Ben Tonra; Irish Daily Mail and Sunday Independent columnist, Brenda Power; and London correspondent for The Irish Times, Mark Paul.

Poet and Writer Theo Dorgan joins Brendan to discuss the songs that have meant most to him, throughout his life and career. He talks about being one of 16 children, the happiest man he ever met, and his correspondence with Leonard Cohen.

Head of Automotive Content at Donedeal, Paddy Comyn, joins Brendan to discuss the enduring appeal, and practical challenges, of driving a convertible in Ireland. “Most people look at you and think ‘who's that tosser?'

Joining Brendan to pick their highlights from TV, streaming and cinema this week, are entertainment journalist and broadcaster, Serina Bellissimo and host of ‘Here and Back Again' Podcast, Dave O'Callaghan. Among their favourites: ‘Amandaland', ‘A Traveller Family' and ‘The Dark Wizard'.

MEP for Midlands-North-West and former Rose of Tralee, Maria Walsh, joins Brendan to talk about her fertility journey. She outlines her options as a single, gay woman, working in frontline politics. Maria explains her experience with the European Sperm Bank and discusses the impact of pregnancy on her body, her self-image and her wider family.

A week after he told Brendan about having a cardiac arrest on a Dublin street, Irish Times columnist Brian Boyd is reunited on air with two of those who intervened to help save his life - physiotherapist, Laura Madden, and emergency medicine consultant, Dr. Cathal de Buitléir.

Chartered work and coaching psychologist, Leisha Redmond McGrath, joins Brendan to discuss the psychological importance of holidays. She talks about the impact of bringing your work laptop away with you, and why it helps to do nice things for yourself.

Actor Bill Nighy, joins Brendan to discuss his fashion sense, his anxiety and the tension between his Irish heritage and his persona as ‘the quintessential Englishman'. Nighy also tells Brendan about playing an Irish grandfather in his latest film ‘500 Miles', much of which is shot and set in Dingle, Co Kerry.

On her first trip to Ireland, the best-selling author and cook, dubbed “Australia's Martha Stewart” Donna Hay, joins Brendan in studio. She discusses Australian cuisine, building her culinary empire and turning down a job offer from the actual Martha Stewart. She also discusses her latest book ‘Sunshine, Lemons and Sea Salt'.

Joining Brendan to discuss the stories in Sunday's newspapers are: Talk show host and former Independent Ireland candidate in the European elections, Niall Boylan; Alison O'Connor, political commentator with The Sunday Times; Research Professor at the ESRI, Alan Barrett and Dr Shana Cohen, Executive Director of the independent think-tank TASC.

Podcaster and presenter, James Kavanagh, tells Brendan about his life through the prism of five songs from Enya to Kate Bush to The Spice Girls. He talks about receiving homophobic bullying as a teen, coming out as gay, finding his tribe, having panic attacks as an adult and moving to rural Kilkenny.

The new novel ‘Yesteryear' imagines what would happen if a modern-day trad wife influencer woke up in 1855, forced to actually live in the era she's been romanticising on social media. Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent of the Irish Times, tells Brendan about why it's striking such a chord and posing wider questions about mothers' choices.

Writer, Henrietta McKervey and Andy McCarroll, Host of the Extra Vision podcast join Brendan to talk through some of the biggest films and TV shows of the week. These include Criminal Record, Come To Your Census, Widow's Bay and Lord Of The Flies.

Canadian crooner Michael Bublé is coming back to Ireland this summer for three tour dates. He talked to Brendan about his father, his faith, meeting the Pope and why actions are more important than words.

Prof Colin Doherty, Consultant Neurologist and Head of the School of Medicine in Trinity College Dublin tells Brendan why they have put Love on the new curriculum for medical students, allowing them to bring their own vulnerabilities to the role of the doctor and improve patient outcomes.

Irish Times columnist Brian Boyd suffered sudden cardiac arrest while cycling past Donnybrook Garda Station in Dublin on April 1st and clinically died. A woman at the scene – probably a medic - performed intensive CPR on him, saving his life. Brian would like to thank her and find her.

Psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan talks about historical Adoption in Ireland and its psychological ripples from the perspective of the birth mother, birth father, adoptive parent(s) and child.

Life Hacks Columnist of the Irish Examiner, Denise O'Donoghue, has a heap of summer hacks like: why baby powder is a summer essential; how to wash your wheelie bin; tick bite tips; protecting your hair in summer; how to efficiently pack a carry-on suitcase and lots more.

Blazing Salads Chef Lorraine Fitzmaurice has recipes for delicious summer salads that include a sweet pop of fruit flavours. She uses grilled peaches, grapes, papaya, strawberries and adds orange to fennel.

Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday newspapers

Author Michael Harding joins Brendan to discuss the psychological and spiritual impact which sunshine and summertime have on Irish people. He reminisces about festivals, aging and missed romantic connections.

Twenty years after its release, and on the eve of a highly-anticipated sequel, author and magazine superfan Anna Carey joins Brendan to discuss the enduring appeal of ‘The Devil Wears Prada'.

Producer, Eoin Sweeney and Presenter and Podcaster, Fionnuala Jones, join Brendan to talk through some of the biggest films and TV shows of the week. These include the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Hokum.

Bestselling author of ‘Poor', Katriona O Sullivan joins Brendan to talk about her new book ‘Hunger', which details her relationship with her body. She talks about how her childhood trauma affects how she sees her body and how so many women are in the grip of what she calls ‘the fat-girl algorithm'.

BBC weather presenter Barra Best tells Brendan about the unusually sunny weather Ireland is experiencing. Barra also looks ahead to see how long the sunshine will last, and addresses the risk of potential wildfires.

Comedian, writer and radio presenter PJ Gallagher tells Brendan about five songs that have deeply impacted his life. He also opens up about his childhood in adoption, his unlikely start in comedy and the trials of becoming a dad to twins. He also mentions motorbiking around the Himalayas with Game of Thrones star, Liam Cunningham.

A great excuse to hear the late and much missed Manchán Magan marking the start of Irish Summer with a bit of naked dew rolling. Not for the faint of heart, a naked dew roll at dawn on May 1st was said to make a person beautiful all year round.

Irish-Trinidadian chef, Eamon de Freitas gives Brendan his top tips for cooking an authentic, Caribbean-flavoured barbecue – from fuel choice to marinades.

Joining Dearbhail to discuss the stories in Sunday's newspapers are: Keire Murphy, Senior Policy Officer at the ESRI & Sunday Independent columnist; Derek Mooney, Public Affairs Consultant & former Fianna Fáil Advisor; Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent with the Irish Examiner; and Aisling Meehan, Farmer, Solicitor & Tax Consultant.

Actor Eileen Walsh is well known for her roles on stage, films like Small Things Like These and The Magdelene Sisters, and TV shows like Catastrophe. She'll feature shortly on RTÉ One's Come to Your Census. She talked Dearbhail through the music that has soundtracked her life, from Annie Lennox to John Prine.

Daddy and daughter duo Salish and Jordan Matter are the latest YouTubers, who make content aimed at kids, to move to Netflix. Broadcaster Aifric O'Connell talks Dearbhail through the various YouTubers who have made the move to the streaming platforms – from Ms. Rachel to ‘MrBeast' - and why.

Joining Dearbhail to preview the best films and TV shows this week are Zara Hedderman, Culture Journalist, and Michael Doherty, Movies Editor with the RTÉ Guide.

Northern Irish author Jan Carson's new novel is ‘Few and Far Between'. She tells Dearbhail about her strict, Evangelical, Presbyterian upbringing, breaking free from insularity in university, a stint in America and her hopes for Northern Ireland post-Good Friday Agreement.

This week we saw unprecedented exchanges between Pope Leo and the Trump administration. The Pope said that the world is being ‘ravaged by a handful of tyrants', and the President has said Leo should focus on being a ‘great pope and, not a politician'. Theologian, Gina Menzies, gives Dearbhail her analysis.

Do you tend to put tasks on the long finger? Neuroscientist Dr Sabina Brennan explains why we procrastinate. She outlines some different types of procrastination like Productive Procrastination and Pleasure-Seeking Procrastination and offers solutions for the one in five of us who have problematic procrastination.

RTÉ Sport presenter, Jacqui Hurley, Travel Blogger, Marie Noonan and former Luxury Travel Editor of the Daily Telegraph, John O'Ceallaigh join Dearbhail to talk about some trips of a lifetime they have taken. They talk about destinations like Japan, Vietnam, Ecuador, Australia, Palau and Antarctica, and where to holiday in Ireland in a campervan!

It's often overlooked as a form of exercise, but WALKING is actually an extremely beneficial form of exercise – that's according to personal trainer, Karl Henry, who called in to give Dearbhail a walking masterclass.

Head Chef at Mount Congreve Gardens in Waterford, Jean-Baptiste Dubois, came up to Dublin to talk Dearbhail through four recipes for French dishes, with an Irish twist. He also discussed his zero-waste kitchen, and gave tips for how listeners can make better use of ‘left-overs'.

Joining Brendan are: Mary Regan, Political Editor with the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent; Gerard Howlin, Irish Times columnist and Public Affairs Consultant; Anna Marie McHugh, Assistant Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association; and Assistant Professor of Politics and International Relations at UCD.

Former Republic of Ireland soccer player Niall Quinn joins Brendan to share the five songs that have soundtracked his journey from the pitch to the boardroom. From Nat King Cole's ‘Too Young' to The Pogues' ‘A Rainy Night in Soho,' he gives us a personal look at the music that defined the milestones of his life and career.

Irish Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent Conor Pope joins the show to highlight the essential apps you need before you head to the airport. From bagging the best currency rates, to finding the best taxi apps to navigate local transport safely, Conor explains how to make your holiday smoother and cheaper.

Joining Brendan to preview the best films and TV shows this week – including Season two of Beef, Margo's Got Money and Big Mistakes are; Sarina Bellissimo, presenter of The Bellissimo Files, and John Maguire, film critic with The Business Post.