Brendan O'Connor

Joining Brendan to talk through the Sunday Newspapers are Mick Clifford, Irish Examiner Special Correspondent; Mary Hanafin, barrister and former Fianna Fáil government minister; Jennifer Bray, Sunday Times Political Editor; and Graham Finlay. Assistant Professor of Politics and International Relations, UCD.

Former Irish Times journalist Paul Cullen is adopted and has written a memoir, ‘Outsider', about meeting his birth mother, finding his birth father through DNA and only recently being able to piece together his first two and a half years of foster care using old records.

Broadcaster Aifric O'Connell explains why certain older songs such as New Radicals' ‘Get What You Give', Aphex Twin's ‘QKThr' and Enya's ‘Orinoco Flow' are resonating with Gen Z and Gen Alpha and having a renaissance on TikTok.

Brendan previews the best TV shows and films coming to a screen near you with Michael Doherty, RTÉ Guide Movies Editor and Fionnuala Jones, Podcaster and Presenter.

Six months after she dramatically quit the race for the Irish Presidency, former EU Commissioner and Fine Gael MEP, Mairéad McGuinness, tells Brendan about the severe post viral syndrome that forced her to withdraw. She also opens up about bereavement, menopause, and gave analysis of global political events.

A listener writes a letter telling Brendan of a secret love affair in his 20s with another man. Despite being married now with grown up children, he says he still hopes they will meet again and wonders what "their endgame would be". He was prompted to share his story after watching the hugely popular TV show Heated Rivalry. 

Neuroscientist Brian Pennie once had a near death experience as a heroin addict. He now has a countdown calendar in his kitchen where he marks off the weeks he has left on this earth. He explains why reflecting on the motto, ‘Memento Mori'/'Remember That You Will Die' helps you live life more intentionally.

‘The Butcher Boy' author, Pat McCabe, has just been announced as the 2026 IPUT Writer-in-Residence. He talks Brendan through his early Monaghan days, his writing career and the joy of being a grandfather through the prism of five songs from Brian Coll to Skid Row to Gilbert O'Sullivan.

Chef Maggie Roche from the Little Acorn Cafe talks Brendan through making takeaway food at home. She has delicious recipes for homemade loaded fries and fish tacos.

Joining Brendan to talk through the Sunday Newspapers are former Fine Gael TD for Waterford, John Deasy; Political Correspondent at The Irish Examiner, Louise Burne; Professor of International Relations at UCD, Ben Tonra; Director and Co-Founder at Fenton-Fitzwilliam, Lorna Fitzpatrick; and White House Columnist with The Hill, Niall Stanage.

Star of 'Weekend at Bernie's' and 'Pretty in Pink', Andrew McCarthy talks to Brendan about his career as a Brat Pack star, and TV director. He also discusses the death of his parents, meeting his Irish wife, his long relationship with Ireland, and his first theatre role in 20 years, in Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible' at The Gaiety.

Ahead of Ireland's opening Six Nations match against reigning champions France this Thursday, Brendan is joined by sports reporter Jacqui Hurley. She talks through the injury concerns, squad depth, and the relative experience of the two teams and which nation is best poised to win the overall tournament in 2026.

Brendan previews the best films and TV shows coming to a screen near you, with Business Post film critic, John Maguire and freelance culture journalist, Zara Hedderman. Their choices include 'These Sacred Vows' and 'Is This Thing On?'

RTÉ's South East correspondent, Marc O'Driscoll joins Brendan with the latest on flooding across region. While the worst was avoided overnight, concerns remain as rivers continue to swell, with more rain forecast on Bank Holiday Monday.

Paediatric consultant and mother of two. Dr Niamh Lynch, joins Brendan to discuss her new book 'Should I be worried?' - a stage-by-stage guide to help new parents navigate the early years of their child's life. Brendan and Niamh chat about everyday illnesses but also discuss serious scenarios like choking, poisoning and sepsis.

Trinity College Dublin's biodiversity officer, Collie Ennis talks to Brendan about his pet boa constrictor, how snakes go about eating their prey and why the most successful predators on the planet have fascinated him all his life.

Chef and restauranteur, Domini Kemp gives Brendan a tutorial on one of her favourite foods; eggs. From how to boil an egg, to a frittata that uses up whatever's in the fridge, Domini shares her go-to recipes for tasty breakfasts and brunches

Olympic Gold Medal winning boxer Katie Taylor joins Brendan to talk about her childhood, her ground-breaking career, what she hates about professional boxing, her real relationship with her father and the joys of being a stepmother. Katie also picks five songs that have marked the chapters of her life including 'Wannabe' by The Spice Girls.

Joining Brendan to discuss this week's Sunday Newspapers are: Louise Bayliss, from the Society of St Vincent De Paul; Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Professor of Politics, DCU; Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA Media; and Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs Consultant, Irish Times columnist and former Government advisor.

Sophie Hynes (19), Natasha Maimba (24) and Kai Brosnan (26) explain how they coped this week when they did a digital detox giving up social media, Google Maps and Spotify - going from FOMO to sleeping better.

As Phil Collins turns 75, broadcasting [and fellow drumming] legend Marty Whelan reflects on his life and musical career: spanning Phil Collins' Genesis years from, to going solo and his current health struggles. Marty explains why playing drums on ‘In The Air Tonight' with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in 2024 was one of Marty's career highlights.

Brendan talks through the latest highlights on the big and small screen with Nadine O'Regan, Irish Times arts journalist and Brian Lloyd, freelance entertainment journalist and host of the Screenland Podcast.

Bob Geldof reflects on his life through the medium of five songs ranging from The Who to The Rolling Stones. He speaks about his early childhood, 50 years of The Boomtown Rats, hitchhiking to Brussels to meet David Bowie, the grief of losing his mother, former wife and daughter and why love was his ultimate saviour.

John Carter Cash, son of singers Johnny Cash and June Carter talks to Brendan about his parents' love story, their addictions, his father's fall from musical grace in the 1980s and how Bono and Rick Rubin kickstarted his musical renaissance in the 1990s. ‘The Ballad of Johnny and June' starts in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on March 31st.

Allison Keating, Chartered Psychologist & Author of ‘It's All Too Much' talks to Brendan about why some people can't sit down ‘til the dishes are done, why women might be disproportionately affected by Martyr Syndrome, how it can lead to resentment and the importance of rest.

Chef Erica Drum on how to make some easy unprocessed alternatives from recipes for homemade mayonnaise and pasta sauce to making chicken nuggets with your children.

Joining Brendan to discuss this week's Sunday Newspapers are: Ballyfermot community activist, and former People Before Profit TD, Brid Smith; Public Policy Advisor, Oisin Coughlan; Political Correspondent with the Irish Times, Ellen Coyne; law lecturer at the University of Galway, Larry Donnelly; and former Irish Amabassador to the USA, Dan Mulhall

Entrepreneur and journalist, Mark Little offers his analysis of the first year of Donald Trump's second term as US President – from MAGA to the economy and Venezuela to Greenland.

Culture journalist Jenn Gannon tells Brendan about Harry Styles' first album in four years: ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally”. She also tracks the key moments in Styles' career to date and his growing fanbase.

Brendan talks through the latest highlights on the big and small screen with entertainment journalist, Sarina Belissimo and Dave O'Callaghan, host of the ‘Here and Back Again' podcast. Their choices include ‘The Hunting Wives', ‘People We Meet on Vacation' and ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'.

Psychotherapist Dr. Richard Hogan tells Brendan about how our brains are triggered into a panicked ‘fight-or-flight' response. Talking through practical examples, he explores how to understand your own triggers, recognise them early and choose a different response.

Two stars of Virgin Media's new show ‘The Assembly' tell Brendan about the series, in which a neurodiverse audience interview well-known Irish people. Emily Sheridan and Niamh Biddulph talk to Brendan about their own lives, and how they approached their encounters with Joanne McNally and Ryan Tubridy.

Consultant Dermatologist, Professor Caitriona Ryan talks to Brendan about the causes of hair loss in men and women, and gives her assessment of which treatments and coping strategies are most effective.

Ralph McTell

Owner of Dunne and Crescenzi, Eileen Dunne Crescenzi gives Brendan her top tips on cooking different styles of ragu, including ragu bianco, and the hugely popular bolognese. She also tells him about how to make authentic, Italian garlic bread.

Joining Brendan this week are: Eamon Ryan, former government Minister and Chair of the European Housing Advisory Board,Prof Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute, Mary Regan, Political editor of the Irish and Sunday Independent and Dan O'Brien, Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs.

Actor Jason O'Mara has just moved home to Dublin after over 20 years in L.A. He's acted in DC's Batman, Band of Brothers, Life on Mars, The Good Wife, The Lincoln Lawyer and will be in RTE's These Sacred Vows next month. He chose five songs to represent his life ranging from Simon & Garfunkel to The Jesus and Mary Chain to Max Richter.

Elaine Burke, host of the ‘For Tech's Sake' podcast on why we'll all be talking to our computers in 2026 and how AI will infiltrate all spheres of life this year.

Writer, Henrietta McKervey and TV and Radio Producer Eoin Sweeney talked Brendan through the hits and misses from the big and small screen this week.

Singer-songwriter Chris De Burgh and Ross-O'Carroll-Kelly creator Paul Howard joined Brendan to talk about becoming friends later in life, wine-related escapades and the importance of banter and laughter.

Channel 4 News' Foreign Correspondent Páraic O'Brien talks to Brendan about the potential collapse of the regime in Iran.

Architect Róisín Murphy wades in on the Great Radiator Debate with her views on how to run a radiator, the cost benefits of turning the radiator down a degree or two, where to best position a radiator and much more.