Brendan O'Connor

Joining Dearbhail to parse through the Sunday newspapers are former Fine Gael government minister, Josepha Madigan; Professor of US and International Politics at UCD's Clinton Institute, Scott Lucas; Publisher of TheBriefing.ie, Liz Carolan; and Political Editor with the Irish Times, Pat Leahy.

Joining Dearbhail to discuss the modern meaning and relevance of Nollaig na mBan (“women's Christmas”) are activist and founder of Topical Popical, Andrea Horan; interfaith minister, singer and theologian, Rev Dr Noirin Ni Riain; and novelist and author of ‘This is How You Remember It', Catherine Prasifska.

Joining Dearbhail to talk through some top tips for taking control of your money in 2026 is Financial Advisor and CEO of Fairstone Ireland, Paul Merriman.

Previewing the very best of the big and small screen this week – including Traitors, Dancing with the Stars and soap mash-up ‘Corrie-dale' – are Director of the Dublin International Film Festival, Grainne Humphries; and host of the Extravision podcast, Andy McCarroll.

Following dramatic strikes in Venezuela, US President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President, Nicholas Maduro. Chief Diplomatic Correspondent with The New York Times, Steven Erlanger; and Sky News Washington Correspondent, David Blevins bring Dearbhail up to speed on this breaking story.

Founder and Artistic Director of Druid Theatre company, Garry Hynes joins Dearbhail to talk about the songs of her life, the death of her beloved wife, Martha O'Neill and the 50th Anniversary of the Galway-based theatre company which she founded, Druid. The conversation co-incides with the publication of ‘Druid Theatre: Fifty Years'.

Are cookies watching your online holiday booking habits and costing you more? Is 2am on a Wednesday the best time to book a flight online? Conor Pope of The Irish Times talks Dearbhail through hacks and myths for cheaper holidays.

“We lost trust... during Covid we saw an increase in free-birthing” Prof Shane Higgins – Outgoing Master of Holles St Hospital

Poet Enda Wyley pick outs poems to ring in the New Year, and get us through the cold winter months – blending humour, optimism and wonder at the natural world.

The differences between the Full Irish and the Ulster Fry, and the little nuances that make a fry special.

Joining Dearbhail McDonald to discuss the stories in this Sunday's newspapers are: Prof Niamh Hourigan, Sociologist, Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick; Harry McGee, Political Correspondent, Irish Times; Tanya Ward, Chief Executive, Children's Rights Alliance and Cormac Lucey, Economics Columnist, Sunday Times.

Joining Brendan to discuss the stories in this Sunday's newspapers are; Professor of Politics at DCU, Gary Murphy; Barrister and former Fianna Fail Minister, Mary Hanafin; Political Correspondent at the Irish Examiner, Louise Burne; and Public Policy Advisor, Oisin Coghlan.

Acclaimed chef and broadcaster Rick Stein joined Brendan to discuss all manner of Christmas cooking concerns, including how to keep turkey moist, why choosing the right starter is key for a successful Christmas dinner and how he copes with is own grief at this time of year.

Michael Doherty, Entertainment Editor at the RTE Guide and arts journalist Zara Hedderman pick out their highlights from a bumper week of Christmas TV specials and major movies. Spanning the big and small screen over Christmas week and into the New Year, their choices include Saipan, Oppenheimer and An Cailín Ciúin.

Two teams made up of Ireland's greatest minds battle it out to be crowned the champions of Brendan O'Connor's inaugural Big Quiz of the Year 2025. Pat Shortt, Emer McLysaght, Fionnuala Jones and Brian Dobson grappled with questions on the year's bestselling memoirs, mystery voices, the political year as well as a special round called Who is Taller

Actors Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley talks to Brendan about their raw and emotional performances in 'Hamnet' - which have received glowing reviews, multiple Golden Globe nominations, and sparked hopes of further success at the Oscars.

Christmas Hacks expert Denise O'Donoghue talks us through some top tips this festive season, on packing the car, making the most of 'the big shop', and keeping your turkey moist

Father Iggy O'Donovan talks to Brendan about the meaning of Christmas, and how we understand God and meaning in a world beset by war, conflict and suffering.

Joining Brendan to discuss today's newspapers are Dr Muireann Lynch, Senior Research Officer with the ESRI; Former Irish Ambassador to the United States, Dan Mulhall; Sunday Times Columnist Alison O'Connor, and Prof Luke O'Neill, Professor of Biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin.

Irish Times columnist Brianna Parkins joined Brendan on the line from the scene at Sydney's Bondi Beach where 12 people so far have been confirmed to have lost their lives in a terrorist shooting.

Prof Katriona O'Sullivan from the Dept of Psychology in Maynooth University talks about having her own sexual empowerment epiphany in her early twenties and explains how women should think about their own sexual pleasure, how to communicate, how to instigate and how to spice things up.

Actor, screenwriter and gifting expert Stefanie Preissner gives her top tips for the women in your life – whether they're your friends, partners, mothers or nieces. She chooses Tymos and bags to journals and scented LED candles.

The Nadine O'Regan, Irish Times Arts journalist and Brian Lloyd, Freelance Entertainment journalist, cast a discerning eye over the TV shows and movies that are worth a watch this week.

Actor Adele King, AKA Twink, told Brendan about the devastation she is feeling over the death of her parrot and panto co-star, ‘Timby', after 26 years together. She also talked about her love for the rest of her pets, including a magpie who lives in her house.

Comedian and broadcaster Tommy Tiernan told Brendan about his mixed feelings around Christmas, his Christmas rituals, learning to sing for an upcoming musical and the 10th series of The Tommy Tiernan Show returning in the new year.

Author Joseph O'Connor won the An Post Irish Book of the Year this week for ‘Ghosts of Rome'. He joined Brendan to talk about his delight and gratitude, moving home to Ireland on Christmas week 25 years ago and he also read a Christmas-themed poem, ‘Solstice at Newgrange'.

Booker Prize-winning writer, John Banville, screen and stage actor, Clelia Murphy and former Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar joined Brendan with books, old and new, that they would gift someone this Christmas.

Aoife Carrigy, Food and Drink writer and columnist with The Irish Independent, talks us through the cocktails that will heat us this winter including tips for the ultimate hot whiskey, Irish coffee and mulled wine.

Joining Brendan to dissect the stories making the headlines today, are Executive Director of TASC, Shana Cohen; Special Correspondent for the Irish Examiner, Mick Clifford; Chief Economist with Deloitte Ireland, Kate English; and John O'Brennan, Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University.

Podcaster and writer, Blindboy talks Brendan through the soundtrack to his life, including songs by Stevie Wonder, Randy Newman and Gil Scott-Heron.

Broadcaster Aifric O'Connell tells Brendan about some of the best live music and comedy gigs in Ireland next year, to help anyone putting tickets on their Christmas list.

Writer Henrietta McKervey and host of the ‘Here and Back Again' podcast, Dave O'Callaghan join Brendan to discuss some of the best film and TV this week. Their choices include ‘Eternity', ‘Ripple' and ‘President Connolly: How The Race Was Won'.

Psychotherapist Richard Hogan offers advice on how to navigate difficult family relationships over Christmas, answering listeners' questions about unsupportive partners, difficult siblings and ungrateful children.

Managing Director of Baggot Investment Partners, Peter Brown, explains to Brendan why a trillion dollars was wiped off the value of cryptocurrencies in recent weeks, and how best to understand the deeply volatile crypto markets.

Actor Patrick Duffy, AKA Bobby Ewing from Dallas, and his partner, actor Linda Purl, talk about their new RTÉ show, ‘Duffy's Pub' which will air on RTÉ One on Dec 28th at 6.30pm. They told Brendan about touring Irish pubs, their relationship with the late Manchán Magan and bringing Patrick's father's ashes home to Ireland.

Chartered Physiotherapist Aisling Frawley tells Brendan why we experience stiffness in our head, neck and shoulders, and talks him through some easy exercises, to unstiffen those muscles and keep deeper problems at bay.

Pastry Chef and CEO of Grá Chocolates, Grainne Mullins talks Brendan through some delicious recipes to help you celebrate the festive season.

Joining Brendan to dissect the stories making the headlines today, were Mary Regan, Political editor with The Irish Independent; David W. Higgins, Economist; Youth Advocate Natasha Maimba; and Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute.

Psychologist and writer Tony Bates and his old pal Denis Cagney join Brendan to talk about reconnecting more than 50 years after first striking up a conversation at school. Denis and Tony share the wisdom that comes with age and their life experience. They talk about what their friendship means now, and Denis shares the reality of living with MND.

Entertainment journalist, Sarina Bellisimo and TV and radio producer Eoin Sweeney cast a discerning eye over the TV shows and movies that are worth a watch this week.

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch tells Brendan about his activism, the waste created in the making of a movie, why toxic masculinity needs to constantly be called out, how becoming a father affected his acting and how his own grief surfaced when playing a grief-stricken husband and father in his latest film, ‘The Thing With Feathers'.

As President Zelensky's chief of staff resigns following an anti-corruption scandal, Christopher Miller, Ukraine Correspondent with the Financial Times talks to Brendan about how this crisis will impact the ongoing peace plan, but also the consequences for the country, its government and its people.