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Brendan O'Connor

RTÉ Radio 1

Brendan O'Connor has all you need for the weekend with time to pause and reflect on the week just gone. Featuring a selection of human interest, consumer and lifestyle stories, as well as keeping you up to date on the news stories that matter. Listen live Saturday and Sunday at 11am - 1pm on RTÉ Radio 1.

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  • 78 episodes
  • Avg 22 min
  • English

Episodes 78

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  • Yesterday · 27 min

    "Sitting with Manchán while his soul left his body was life-changing"

    Aisling Rogerson, founder of The Fumbally Café and the widow of the late Manchán Magan, talks about how all of Manchán's life's work culminates in the final book of his trilogy, 'Seeing What's Happening', with its focus on connecting to the spirit and having the right relationship with nature. She also talks about first meeting him on Inis Oirr 12 years ago, their long-distance relationship and coming to terms with his death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • Yesterday · 15 min

    Anthony Scaramucci - "I simply got seduced by the power"

    Anthony Scaramucci, former White House Director of Communications (for 11days!) and co-host of The Rest is Politics US spoke to Brendan about his childhood on the Jersey Shore and how he ended up mixing with the elite. He talked about the mistakes America has made that he believes led to the era of Donald Trump, and offers some solutions. Anthony’s latest book “All the wrong moves” is out now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • Yesterday · 10 min

    “Nikita has empowered other survivors to get support”

    Rachel Morrogh, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre spoke to Brendan about the impact of Nikita Hand’s interview on other survivors of sexual violence, she talked about how difficult it can be for a survivor to come forward to ask for help and she outlined the many ways to get support. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • Yesterday · 39 min

    Nikita Hand - “I tried to fight but I couldn’t overpower somebody like him”

    Nikita Hand, who won her case in 2025 when a civil jury in the high court found that Conor McGregor assaulted her by raping her, joined Brendan to talk about her new book ‘Not the Perfect Victim’. She spoke about the trauma she’s lived with since, the difficult decision to seek justice and coming face to face with McGregor in the courtroom. She hopes her book will offer hope to other survivors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 13 · 54 min

    The Newspaper Panel

    Joining Dearbhail to discuss the main stories in Sunday's newspapers are Irish Examiner political correspondent, Louise Burne; Executive Director of TASC, Dr Shana Coen; commentator and CEO of the Iona Institute, David Quinn; Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Mary Immaculate College, Prof Niamh Hourigan. They're joined from Doonbeg by RTE reporter, Brian O’Connell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 13 · 11 min

    The Watchlist

    Joining Dearbhail to pick out the week's best offerings on the big and small screen are arts journalist, Zara Hedderman and RTE Guide movies editor, Michael Doherty. They discuss season 6 of 'Slow Horses', new reality show 'Apocalypse' and 'The Random Driving Test' - in which PJ Gallagher challenges people to re-sit their driving test. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 13 · 9 min

    How to warm up like a pro

    Chartered physiotherapist, Aisling Frawley discusses the true value of warming up before sustained exercise. She talks Dearbhail through some key warm-ups for anyone going for a run, playing a match, or heading to the gym. She also provides tips on warming up as we age. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 12 · 1 hr 6 min

    President Trump - "A united Ireland would be a very cool thing"

    As US President Donald Trump visits Ireland, Dearbhail is joined for live analysis by CEO of ActionAid Ireland, Karol Balfe; Professor of Politics at UCC, Theresa Reidy; Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín; US political strategist, Lindy Li and Law Lecturer at the University of Galway, Larry Donnelly. We also hear part of President Trump's speech. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 12 · 33 min

    Patrick Kielty - "It never gets dark in Kielty Park"

    Broadcaster and comedian Patrick Kielty talks about stand-up during dark times and family life with his boys, as he takes us through his life in five songs, with stories about Roy Orbison playing the Parochial Hall in Dundrum Co. Down and The Stone Roses at the Hacienda and Old Trafford. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 6 · 13 min

    The Watchlist

    Joining Dearbhail to preview some of the best films and TV shows available this week are: Grainne Humphreys, director of the Dublin International Film Festival and Eoin Sweeney, producer. Some of the productions discussed are season two of ‘The Paper’, ‘Untold Mr T: I Pity the Fool’, the movie version of ‘Call My Agent!’, ‘At Your Service’, ‘Late Fame’ and ‘Hungry’, a horror movie about a rampaging hippo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 6 · 9 min

    "When a new Grand Theft Auto comes out many people take a day off work to play it"

    Ciara O'Brien, Irish Times business and technology journalist and Grand Theft Auto fan talks Dearbhail through the history of what’s been called the most controversial video game of all time. November sees the eagerly anticipated sixth incarnation of the game which its fans have been waiting over a decade for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 6 · 54 min

    Newspaper Panel

    Joining Dearbhail to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Colm O'Gorman, commentator and former executive director of Amnesty International Ireland; Dr Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh, doctor and Irish Independent columnist; Declan Power, security and defence analyst and Elaine Loughlin, political editor with the Irish Examiner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 5 · 36 min

    Bronagh Gallagher - "I met Aretha and told her she was our queen"

    Derry woman Bronagh Gallagher tells Dearbhail about growing up in the Troubles and her amazing acting life, including roles in The Commitments, Pulp Fiction, and Star Wars. She also discusses her soul-singing career and political activism through the prism of five songs, ranging from Aretha Franklin to Bob Marley to Van Morrison. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 5 · 7 min

    'Dan Jukes was often described as "like a son" to Nigel Farage'

    Lucy Fisher, Whitehall Editor of the Financial Times, updates Dearbhail on the latest scandal involving Nigel Farage, as he addresses Reform UK's party conference. Undercover filming broadcast by Channel 4 News showed Dan Jukes, one of Farage's closest advisers, and Reform's head of policy James Orr, meeting a man posing as the British-based son of a rich American, and Jukes appears to suggest a way to evade electoral law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 5 · 24 min

    Yotam Ottolenghi - "I crush crisps onto my salads for fun!"

    Celebrity Chef Yotam Ottolenghi tells Dearbhail about how he’s trying to simplify good cooking with amazing hacks in his brand new cookbook, 'Simple Too'. He also talks about growing up in Jerusalem with a lot of Palestinian food influences, the sadness he feels looking at the current conflict and what he cooks to keep his children happy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • September 5 · 12 min

    Off-Peak Travel - "A €30 flight jumps up to €250 during midterm break"

    As students go back to school, holiday prices plummet. Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel Editor of the Irish Independent, brings Dearbhail through some of the value to be had in Irish and foreign holidays in the off-peak period and tips for bringing prices down even further. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • August 30 · 54 min

    The Newspaper Panel

    Joining Brendan to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: publisher of The Briefing.ie, Liz Carolan; independent economist, David W Higgins; political columnist with the Sunday Times, Alison O’Connor; and UCD assistant professor of politics and international relations, Dr Graham Finlay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Showing 1–20 of 78 episodes