Celebrating 20 Years of the RTÉ Choice Music Prize

RTÉ Choice Music Prize
In association with IMRO and IRMA

Classic Irish Album

And the winning album is…

Watermark
by
Enya

The RTÉ Choice Music Prize Classic Irish Album, in association with IMRO & IRMA, has just been announced on RTÉ Gold by Paul Moriarity. The winning album is: Watermark by Enya.

“I am delighted to win the RTÉ Choice Music Classic Album Prize. Watermark has a special place in my heart – it was my second album and really launched my career internationally. It is wonderful that people are still discovering it today and it’s an honour to be chosen for this prize recognising Irish music” – Enya, 2025

The panel chose Watermark by Enya as their Classic Irish Album for the RTÉ Choice Music Prize and explain further – “Following a lengthy deliberation and some very stiff competition, we deemed Watermark the most worthy recipient for this year’s Classic Irish Album award. Not only is Enya’s second record a remarkable piece of work for its time, but it has endured across the 37 years since its release and continues to inspire and influence generations of musicians to this day. Alongside her producer and arranger Nicky Ryan and lyricist Roma Ryan, Enya essentially pioneered a new genre of music with Watermark, blending her traditional Irish background with elements of ambient, world, choral and pop music and her innovative layered vocal technique that can be heard on songs like Storms in Africa, Cursum Perficio and of course, the iconic Orinoco Flow. It was commercially successful on a global scale, yet the panel agreed that Enya is often underestimated or perhaps misunderstood by many. It felt like an apt opportunity to acknowledge her visionary work as both a vocalist and a musician – and Watermark, in all its strange, evocative beauty, comprehensively fulfils the criteria for a ‘classic album’.”

The judges for the prize are Lauren Murphy, Arts and Culture Journalist; John Connolly, Author and presenter of From ABC to XTC on RTE Gold; Louise Duffy, Music Presenter, RTE Radio 1 and Harry Martin, Director Domino Records – with Paul Russell (Radio producer, formerly RTÉ 2FM) as the chairperson. The album will be played in full tonight on RTÉ Gold after 6pm.

Watermark was released in 1988 on Warner Music UK (Geffen worldwide). Signed by Rob Dickins, who was head of the label at the time, 26-year-old Enya was given full creative control and artistic freedom. The writing and recording of the album continued her long-term collaboration with manager, arranger and producer Nicky Ryan and lyricist Roma Ryan. Initially recorded in Dublin it was re-recorded digitally in Orinoco Studios in London. “Orinoco Flow”, the album’s global hit, was the final song written for the album. Selling an estimated 10 million albums, Watermark achieved multi-Platinum-selling status in many countries and is credited with propelling Enya to global fame and acclaim.

“A rich mood piece of broad proportions” and “a glorious aural mosaic” – Rolling Stone

Album playlist  – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMEYX7LPtqE

The inaugural winning Classic Irish Album was I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got by the late great Sinéad O’ Connor, followed last year by U2’s Achtung Baby.

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Live Event, Vicar St Thursday 6th March (Sold-Out)

The winning Irish Album of the Year 2024 will be announced at the RTÉ Choice Music Prize live event in Vicar St Thursday 6th March, and, will be broadcast on RTÉ 2FM in a special four-hour extended show with Beta Da Silva from 7-11pm. Eight of the ten nominated artists will perform on the night. A special TV show will be broadcast on 13th March at 10.35pm on RTÉ2.

The Classic Irish Album prize will be presented along with Irish Artist of the Year and Irish Breakthrough Artist that night.

The Irish Song of the Year 2024 will be announced by Tracy Clifford on her 2FM show on the day of the live event and presented to the winner in Vicar St that night. Tracy will also host the live event.

RTÉ Choice Music Prize Conversations will take place on the day, Thursday 6th March, with four music industry panels running from 12.00-16.30. Details to follow next week.

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The 20th annual RTÉ Choice Music Prize will once again celebrate the best in Irish recorded music.   The Prize has become one of the music-industry highlights of the year since its inception in 2005. The Irish Album of the Year award is chosen from a shortlist of ten albums by a panel of eleven Irish music media professionals and industry experts. The list of judges is available via http://www.choicemusicprize.ie. 

The winning Album of the Year act will receive €10,000, a prize fund which has been provided by The Irish Music Rights Organization (IMRO) and The Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA). All shortlisted acts will receive a specially commissioned award.

RAAP, Culture Ireland, FMC, Minding Creative Minds, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet and Coimisiún na Meán are also official project partners of the RTÉ Choice Music Prize.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Choice Music Prize: Liza Geddes, Recode Publicity | lizageddes@gmail.com 
RTÉ:  Neil O’Gorman | neil.ogorman@rte.ie

Notes to Editor:

– Enya is Ireland’s best-selling solo Irish Artist with over 80 million physical album sales.
– Watermark was released on 19 September 1988.
– Enya recorded Watermark with her long-time collaborators: manager, producer and arranger Nicky Ryan and lyricist Roma Ryan.
– Watermark was an unexpected commercial success, propelling Enya to worldwide fame.
– Worldwide chart positions: Number 5 on the UK Albums Chart | Number 25 on the Billboard 200 in the United States,
– Watermark was a quadruple Platinum-selling album in the United Kingdom and the United States.
– Debut single, Orinoco Flow, was a simultaneous No 1 hit in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
– Watermark has sold in excess of 8.5 million physical copies worldwide and clocked up over 560 million Spotify streams.

The RTÉ Choice Music Prize is organised by co-founder David Reid.  Editor of RTÉ Brainstorm & co-founder of the prize, Jim Carroll, is the chairman of the judging panel for Irish Album of the Year. It is unique in that the judging of the Irish Album of the Year focuses simply and solely on the music (as opposed to sales or airplay). A different group of judges has been put in place for each of the three categories. The full list of all the judges will be on the RTÉ Choice Music Prize website starting 8th January, and through the week as each shortlist is announced, along with some further details. This is the twentieth year of the prize. Past winners can be found via http://www.choicemusicprize.ie/past-prizes/

Stay up-to-date with the latest RTÉ Choice Music Prize news by following @choiceprize, @rte2fm, @rte and @rte2 on Twitter and Facebook and @explorerte and @rte2fm on Instagram using #rtechoiceprize.

Further information can be found at:
http://www.choicemusicprize.ie
http://2fm.rte.ie/
http://www.rte.ie/
http://twitter.com/choiceprize

Charities and organisations in every county invited to apply

Statement by Community Foundation Ireland and RTÉ

The huge generosity of viewers of December’s Late Late Toy Show is about to be turned into actions supporting children across the island of Ireland. Over €5m was raised by the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal in 2024 and Community Foundation Ireland will be working to ensure that it helps as many children as possible over the year ahead.

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal is now open for its fifth year of grant making to improve the lives of children and their families by funding essential support, health, wellbeing, play, and creativity initiatives. Over €26m has been raised over the past five years.  Since the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal was first launched in 2020 it has provided 486 grants to registered children’s charities and organisations across the island of Ireland and helped an estimated 1.1 million children and family members in Ireland annually with the monies raised.

Community Foundation Ireland, as partner of the appeal is now inviting charities nationwide working with children to apply between now and Friday 14th March.

Applications are being invited under three strands reflecting some of the most important areas of need for children today.

Addressing Essential Needs ensures that children and young people have access to the essential items they need as well as high quality social and educational supports to help them thrive.

Improving Wellbeing is targeted at improving mental health by building resilience skills and coping mechanisms for the future.

Creativity and Play promotes fun, builds friendships and allows children to reach their creative potential.

To ensure that as many children as possible can benefit applications are being invited under two rounds covering organisations of different sizes and scope. A community grants round will provide grants of €10,000 – €20,000. An impact grants round will provide grants of €20,000 – €50,000. Full application details https://www.communityfoundation.ie/grants/the-rte-toy-show-appeal-2025/

The strands and criteria have been developed with the support and input of expert advisors as well and informed by the connectivity the Community Foundation has built up over 25-years.

 RTÉ Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst said:

“As we announce the opening of applications for funding, we remain so thankful to the many people across Ireland, and abroad who gave so generously to the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal in December. Having met with a number of organisations and charities over the past year who have benefitted from RTÉ Toy Show Appeal funds, I have been moved by so many positive stories about how valuable and often transformative these funds can be for children and their families across the island. I look forward to hearing more of these stories as we begin the important process of allocating the funds raised last year.”

Denise Charlton, of Community Foundation Ireland added:

“The incredible story of the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal since it was first launched in 2020 is firstly one of the huge generosity of viewers. They have allowed young lives to be transformed in every county. At the Community Foundation we see that every-day.

We are trusted to turn that generosity into meaningful actions. As a Foundation we work hard through our extensive network of on the ground partners, with leading child advocates to ensure we deliver on that.

Stakeholders including those working on the ground in communities confirm the Appeal is hugely valued for allowing work which is strategic and responsive to urgent and emerging needs. Finally, can I again thank all viewers for responding in record numbers to support children in their communities. The magic continues.”

ENDS

Note to Editors:

About the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal was established in 2020 to raise funds for Irish children’s charities through the televised Late Late Toy Show. Since then, more than €26 million has been raised to support these charities.

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal mission is: Inspired by children, we work to bring the magic of the Late Late Toy Show to every child in Ireland. By funding essential support, health, wellbeing, play and creativity we aim to change children’s lives for good.

Last year €3.8 million was distributed in 127 grants to support more than 1.1 million children and their family members all across Ireland. Thanks to the continued generosity of the Irish public, this year the Appeal raised over €4,800,000 which will be distributed through the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Grant Rounds in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

About Community Foundation Ireland

Community Foundation Ireland is a philanthropic hub with a mission of Equality For All in Thriving Communities. Since the year 2000 the Foundation has formed a network of 5,000 voluntary, community and charitable partners. This network together with researchers and advocates inform the work and partnerships with communities. Philanthropists and supporters of the Foundation have provided combined grants of €140-Million to support the mission.

DÓNAL LUNNY TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT THE RTÉ RADIO 1 FOLK AWARDS 2025

Celebrating the very best in folk music in Ireland from the past year 

Awards event LIVE in Vicar Street and on RTÉ Radio 1
Wednesday 26th February, at 8pm

Dónal Lunny will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards which will take place in Vicar Street, Dublin at 8.00pm on Wednesday 26th February. The awards will be presented by John Creedon and will be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 and the RTÉ Radio Player.

Dónal Lunny is one of the most significant figures in folk and traditional music ever to come out of Ireland. His influence as a multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer has shaped the sound of Irish music for more than half a century.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually by the Executive Steering Committee of the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards to a living artist who has made a significant contribution to Irish folk music over many years. As this year’s recipient, Dónal joins a distinguished list of Lifetime Achievement recipients, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill (2024), Mary Black (2022), Christy Moore (2021), Steve Cooney (2020), Moya Brennan (2019) and Andy Irvine (2018).

Head of RTÉ Radio 1 and Member of the 2025 Folk Awards Steering Committee, Peter Woods said: “With the change between The Raggle Taggle Gypsy and Tabhair dom do Lámh on the Prosperous album and the opening chords of the Kesh Jig on the first Bothy Band recording, Dónal Lunny announced and was central to a shift of gear in Irish music. He defined much of the music of a generation at a time when traditional music was not mainstream and was almost subversive.  

“His contribution to that music through Planxty, to Moving Hearts, Mozaik and of course the Bothies and beyond, sits alongside a career as a producer and collaborator across genres and as a true innovator. Dónal has done this without losing sight of the integrity of the music. What he has turned his hand to he has enhanced. 

“It is a real honour for RTÉ Radio 1 to be associated with this award.”

The RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards is also delighted to announce a live performance by his new group, Dónal Lunny’s Darkhorse, at this year’s show as part of the celebrations of his Lifetime Achievement Award.

We will also hear live performances from Damien Dempsey, Róis, Seamas Hyland, Pólca 4, and plus five-time Grammy award winner, Mary Chapin Carpenter, among many others.

Róise Rua, a renowned singer from Árainn Mhór, Dún na nGall, will be inducted into the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Hall of Fame on the night. Georgina Dudgeon, a relative of Róise Rua who has been involved in promoting and celebrating her great-grand-aunt’s legacy, will be among the guests of honour at Vicar Street, to accept the award on her behalf.

In addition to the live broadcast of the awards on RTÉ Radio 1, a television highlights programme will air on RTÉ One on Saturday 1st March.

For more on the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards, see www.rte.ie/culture.

You can also view the 1996 Late Late Show Tribute to Dónal Lunny, from RTÉ Archives here: RTÉ Archives | Arts and Culture | Donal Lunny Tribute

-ENDS-

For information and photography:

Neil O’Gorman, Corporate Communications Manager, RTÉ | neil.ogorman@rte.ie

Photo Credit (main image): Rich Gilligan

ABOUT DÓNAL LUNNY

Planxty, the Bothy Band, Moving Hearts, Coolfin: with these bands, to name just a selection, and a string of collaborations with internationally renowned artists, Dónal Lunny has been a driving force behind the popularity of Irish folk and traditional music.

In a career spanning more than half a century, his influence as a multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer has shaped the sound of these genres, making him one of the most significant figures to multiple generations of artists. Dónal’s innovative approach, his willingness to push boundaries and test the norms of genres such as folk, traditional, jazz, and rock, have brought the music and the listeners to new places.

His new group, ‘Dónal Lunny’s Darkhorse’, will be performing live at this year’s RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.

He has collaborated with, and produced, major international artists such as Kate Bush and Mark Knopfler, and produced the album ‘Common Ground: Voices of Modern Irish Music’, featuring artists such as Elvis Costello, Neil and Tim Finn, as well as Bono and Adam Clayton.

RTÉ in association with the BBC has announced the lead cast members for its new comedy drama series, The Walsh Sisters, inspired by the novels of international best-selling author Marian Keyes.

The first season of The Walsh Sisters, which is currently in production, directed by Ian FitzGibbon, (Hullraisers, Moone Boy) features a chaotic, dysfunctional but deeply loveable family of five sisters, their mother and bemused father. It is in part based on two of Keyes’s books, the blockbuster novels Rachel’s Holiday and Anybody Out There. The comedy drama is produced by award-winning indies Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Pictures, with producer Patrick O’Donoghue (The Tourist, Brooklyn, The Wonder) in association with the BBC, Screen Ireland and Cineflix Rights as the exclusive worldwide distribution partner.

Headlining the cast are Louisa Harland (Derry Girls; Renegade Nell; Love/Hate) as the troubled Anna Walsh and rising talent Caroline Menton, (Oddity) taking on the role of one of Marian’s most loved characters sister Rachel.  Danielle Galligan (House of Guinness; KIN, Spilt Milk; Shadow and Bone) brings oldest sister Claire to life and BAFTA-nominated Máiréad Tyers (Extraordinary, My Lady Jane, Belfast) plays the fearless baby of the family, Helen. The final Walsh sister is will be played by multi-hyphenate stage, screen and screenwriting talent Stefanie Preissner (Solpadeine is My Boyfriend; Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope; How to Adult), who plays Maggie, ‘mammy’s favourite’.

In addition to appearing on screen as Maggie, Dublin-based Preissner, who created RTÉ’s groundbreaking comedy drama Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope, is entrusted with the adaptation of Keyes’ much-loved books.  As the creative lead and writer across the series, Preissner is joined by Kefi Chadwick (Rivals; Death in Paradise) writing two episodes.

Adding Hollywood stardust to the line-up is Irish-American actor Aidan Quinn (This is my Father, Legends of the Fall, Song for a Raggy Boy). Quinn has been tapped to play put-upon Jack ‘Daddy’ Walsh alongside his screen wife Carrie Crowley (An Cailín Ciúin; Hope Street; Smother), who recreates eccentric Mammy Walsh. American actress and personality Debi Mazar (Kaos, Younger) has signed up for the part of Chaquie.

Caroline Menton said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of The Walsh Sisters. Rachel is such a beloved character that has resonated with me and countless others around the world for nearly two decades. Hers is a story of hope and I feel so privileged to get the opportunity to bring Rachel to life and be a part of bringing Marian Keyes’ iconic Walsh family to the screen.” 

Louisa Harland added:  “Couldn’t be happier to be part of the Walsh family. These books mean so much to so many. It’s the dream job.”

Other cast members include Gina Moxley who will play Josephine (The Patient Gloria, Here Before) and Jay Duffy (Wheel of Time, Northern Lights) who will play Rachel’s complicated love interest Luke Costello. Samuel Anderson (Amandaland, Landscapers) has also been cast as Aidan – Anna’s love interest.

Billed as “a comedy about serious things — a pacey, brutally honest and uncompromisingly funny exposé of the realities of being an Irish sister”, The Walsh Sisters has commenced shooting for an autumn launch on RTÉ, followed by BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

The executive producers on the series are RTÉ’s head of drama David Crean and director of co-productions and acquisitions Dermot Horan; Cuba Pictures’ joint CEOs Dixie Linder and Nick Marston; MetropolitanPictures producer and joint CEO David McLoughlin; Cineflix Rights’ James Durie and Tom Misselbrook; Stefanie Preissner; and Marian Keyes and Tony Baines.

-ENDS- 

RTÉ Communications: Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill

Mushroom Media: Cheryl Clarke

OH Communications: Mark Ogle

About The Walsh Sisters: 

Set in their Dublin hometown, The Walsh Sisters follows the lives of Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen as they navigate the peaks and troughs of their late 20s and 30s. This is a sisterhood full of in-jokes, hand-me-down resentments and more than a few old wounds. But their DNA, history and shared love of power ballads keep the Walsh sisters together in the face of heartbreak, grief, addiction and parenthood.

Marian Keyes is one of the most successful Irish novelists of all time.

About Marian Keyes: 

Marian Keyes is the multi-million copy, internationally bestselling author of some of the most widely-loved, genre-defying novels of the past 30 years, including Rachel’s Holiday, Anybody Out There and Grown Ups (Penguin Michael Joseph). She has amassed millions of fans around the world who are irresistibly drawn by her warmth and wit, fearless honesty, relatable characters and relationships, and sheer storytelling magic. Her books have explored some of the most challenging issues of our time, including addiction, immigration, depression, domestic violence and the Repeal the 8th campaign.

Her many accolades include five Irish Book Awards and being named Author of the Year at the prestigious British Book Awards in 2022. Since her first novel was published in 1995, more than 39 million copies of Keyes’ books have been sold around the world, translated into 36 languages. Rachel’s Holiday, Keyes’ darkly comic 1997 novel about alcohol addiction and rehab, was ranked 14th in The Sunday Times’ 2024 list of the top 50 novels of the 20th century.

Keyes is a passionate champion of storytellers everywhere, playing an active role in encouraging the next generation of writers. She has been the chair of judges for the Comedy Women in Print prize, a sponsor of the Curtis Brown Creative Marian Keyes scholarship, and ran her own hugely popular Instagram Live series bringing free creative writing courses to thousands of viewers.

Both critically acclaimed and commercially unstoppable, Keyes’ 16th novel, My Favourite Mistake was an immediate No. 1 bestseller in five territories: the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. It was also a No. 1 Audible bestseller and one of Audible’s audiobooks of the year. My Favourite Mistake will be published in paperback on 13th February 2025.

In addition to her novels, Keyes has written two collections of journalism, one of which was used as the inspiration for her hit BBC Radio 4 show Between Ourselves. She also co-presents the popular BBC Radio 4 podcast Now You’re Asking with actress Tara Flynn, which has been praised by The Guardian for its “warm-hearted joy”. Keyes is based in Dublin.

Instagram: @marian_keyes | www.mariankeyes.com 

About Cuba Pictures: 

Cuba Pictures is a BAFTA-, Emmy-, RTA- and BIFA-winning production company celebrated for high-profile TV and film projects. TV highlights include McMafia, starring James Norton (BBC One/AMC), based on Misha Glenny’s bestseller and winner of the 2019 International Emmy for Best Drama; Coalition (RTS Award for Best Single Drama); multiple BAFTA-winning Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, starring Eddie Marsan and Bertie Carvel; and IFTA-winning Paula with Denise Gough (BBC Two/ RTÉ).

Cuba’s film credits include BAFTA-winning Boy A with Andrew Garfield; BIFA-winning Broken, starring Tim Roth and Cillian Murphy; The Ones Below with David Morrissey; London Road with Olivia Colman and Tom Hardy; and The Delinquent Season, starring Cillian Murphy and Andrew Scott.

In collaboration with The National Theatre, Cuba has produced four films, including Romeo and Juliet with Jessie Buckley and Josh O’Connor (RTSP-nominated) and Death of England: Face to Face (BAFTA/RTS-nominated). Most recently, Cuba produced The Chemistry of Death, an adaptation of Simon Beckett’s crime novels, which premiered on Paramount+ in 2023.

Currently, Cuba is in post-production on The Rumour, an adaptation of Lesley Kara’s bestselling novel.

About Metropolitan Films International:  

With more than 25 years of experience in film and television production, Metropolitan Films International, in association with its global network of partners, develops, produces and provides a comprehensive suite of production services to international film and television projects locating in Ireland.

Metropolitan’s numerous award-winning feature film co-productions include Martin McDonagh’s Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin for Fox Searchlight; Disney’s Disenchanted, the sequel to 2007’s Enchanted; Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel for Fox, starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Jodie Comer; and Silver for Constantin Film and Amazon Studios. Mostly recently, it co-produced Fifth Season and Lionsgate’s gripping political thriller Anniversary, starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler and Zoey Deutch.

Current projects in production include Wednesday (season two) for MGM/Netflix; Harry Wild (season four) for Acorn and ZDF, starring Jane Seymour; Sanctuary (season two) for AMC; and How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, Lisa McGee’s follow-up to Derry Girls, for Hat Trick and Netflix.

Metropolitan has also produced a wide variety of critically acclaimed television series, including the award-winning Irish crime drama KIN (seasons one and two) for BRON Studios, AMC, RTÉ and Screen Ireland, acquired by BBC and Netflix; The Tourist (season two), starring Jamie Dornan, for Two Brothers Pictures, BBC and All3Media; Vikings and Valhalla for MGM and Netflix; Penny Dreadful for Showtime; Greta, directed by Neil Jordan for Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Universal; and Into The Badlands for AMC.

About Cineflix Rights: 

Cineflix Rights is the UK’s largest independent TV content distributor to broadcasters and streamers worldwide, offering a catalogue of standout scripted series and movies as well as must-watch, long-running factual brands.

Cineflix Rights’ scripted slate features the new crime drama Virdee, based on the best-selling books by AA Dhand, for the BBC; the return of the international cult sensation Wynonna Earp: Vengeance for Tubi; dystopian thriller Heart Attack for Fuji TV; and the 2024 Séries Mania Official Selection So Long, Marianne, inspired by the love story between Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen. These new titles join returning seasons of International Emmy® Best Drama Award-winning espionage series Tehran for Apple TV+; Paramount+ Australia’s crime drama Last King of The Cross; Reginald the Vampire, starring Spider-Man’s Jacob Batalon for SYFY US; Irvine Welsh’s Crime with Dougray Scott in his International Emmy® award-winning role for ITVX/BritBox; and Acorn TV’s cozy crime procedural Whitstable Pearl.

Entertaining the world since 2002, Cineflix Rights is based in London and is part of the Cineflix Media group of companies.

Love is in the Air on this week’s Late Late Show
Christina Hendricks, Chris O’Dowd, Steve Coogan and Katherine Ryan among the guests on Friday with music from Gabrielle

-ENDS-

Date: Thursday 13 February 2025

RTÉ Communications: Jilly McDonough

Notes to Editor:
For more updates follow The Late Late Show online:
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It was the end of the rainbow for meteorologist Joanna Donnelly tonight as she became the third celebrity to be eliminated from Dancing with the Stars.

Speaking about her time on the show Joanna said, “I’ve had the time of my life, meeting this interesting, clever man (Maciej) He’s just brilliant.”

Asked if her elimination meant that Ireland was going to have an awful summer Joanna joked “Yes – I’m going to cancel St. Patrick’s Day!” Asked if she’d recommend it to other celebrities to take part she said, “Absolutely it’s alot of time but there’s no better use of your time!” 

Eurovision fever continued to dominate our screens on Dancing with the Stars, as the cast of celebrity and pro dancers paid homage to some of the contest’s most iconic songs tonight.

The nine remaining couples danced to some of the greatest hits the Eurovision has ever produced, hoping to impress the judges and public. However, the pressure was on more than ever as the two couples with the lowest combined points from the judges and public had to face off in the first dance-off of the season.

The two couples who found themselves in the dance off were:
Joanna Donnelly and Maciej Zieba
Aishah Akorede and Robert

Here’s the lowdown on the rest of the sixth show:

Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly and her dance partner Maciej Zieba went back in time to 1974 and performed a Jive to Abba’s iconic winning-entry, Waterloo.

Arthur Gourounlian said: “You looked like a little disco ball out there! You gave it your all. Great job.”

Karen Byrne said: “What a way to open the show. It lacked a little bounce but you were having a ball and the audience were having a ball watching you!”

Joanna and Maciej scored a total of 23 points.

Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and his pro partner Salome Chachua danced a Contemporary Ballroom to The Netherlands 2019 winner and viral hit Arcade by Duncan Laurence.

Arthur said: “Mesmerising! Spellbinding!”

Loraine Barry said: “Hats off to you Danny – the faith Salome must have in you. The key element was timing. I’m very impressed.”

Danny and Salome scored a total of 36 points.

Having won immunity from this week’s first Dance-Off with their leader board-topping American Smooth last week, Taekwondo athlete Jack Woolley and his pro dancer, Alex Vladimirov faced a little less stress as they danced a Paso Doble to Finland’s 2023 runner-up, Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä. Jack and Alex cannot be eliminated and have booked their place in next week’s show.

Brian said: “You’re not immune to hard work.”

Karen said: “Your costume is deadly. It was unreal. Go and relax now!”

Loraine said: “As for the legs I thought they were amazing. A huge improvement and they should be in leather all the time!”

Jack and Alex scored a total of 35 points.

Burning up the dancefloor social media star Kayleigh Trappe and, her partner Ervinas Merfeldas danced the Samba to the 2018 contest runner-up from Cyprus, Fuego by Eleni Foureira.

Karen said: “You were on fire! The attitude! The energy! The fact that there’s a dance off tonight – it’s like you’re saying give me this… I want more!”

Loraine said: “There is a fire in your belly. You went for it tonight. You absolutely nailed it.”

Kayleigh and Ervinas scored a total of 30 points – their highest score of the season so far.

Comedian Gearóid Farrelly and his pro dancer partner Stephen Vincent performed Contemporary Ballroom to Gearóid’s friend and podcast co-host, Niamh Kavanagh’s 1993 winning Irish entry In Your Eyes. There was extra pressure on Gearóid, as Niamh watched his performance from the front row in studio.

Arthur said: “In my eyes this partnership is inseparable.”

Brian said: “I thought tonight you looked a little under pressure but the lifts were fantastic.”

Gearoid Farrelly scored a total of 31 points.

Hoping to impress the judges, resident Armenian-panellist Arthur Gorounlian in particular, Kin actress Yasmin Seky and Simone Arena danced a Salsa to Armenia’s 2008 contest classic, Qélé, Qélé by Sirusho.

Arthur said: “Did I like it? I loved it! It gave me life!”

Brian said: “The lifts were a little clumsy but you got into the atmosphere and it’s the best I’ve seen you look.”

Yasmin and Simone scored a total of 32 points. 

Olympic gymnast Rhys McClenaghan and his pro partner Laura Nolan danced a Quickstep to Norway’s 2009 winning entry, Fairytale by Alexander Rybak.

Loraine said: “The frame was incredible.”

Karen said: “The little laugh on you making it look easy! When are you going to be bad??”

Rhys and Laura scored a total of 39 points.

Chef Kevin Dundon and his pro partner Rebecca Scott danced a Waltz to the 2017 winning song Amar Pelos Dois from Portugal’s Salvador Sobral.

Karen said: “You should be so proud. I love how much progress you’ve made. Rebecca you look like his number one fan.”

Brian said: “I know it’s the point of doing this show but I think you’re getting better!”

Loraine said: “So elegant, very beautiful. Your best one yet!”

Kevin and Rebecca scored a total of 25 points – Kevin’s highest score of the season.

Former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede and Robert Rowiński performed Charleston to the United Kingdom’s 1996 classic, Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit by Gina G.

Arthur said: “You brought the party tonight!”

Karen said: “The lifts were insane. I loved it.”

Aishah and Robert scored a total of 30 points.

The Dancing with the Stars squad welcomed Ireland’s newest Eurovision representative EMMY to the Eurovision family by asking her to officially open the voting lines.

Listen in to Laura Fox on 2FM tomorrow morning at 9:30am to hear Joanna’s exit interview.

Tune in to Dancing with the Stars – next week for Love Week – Sunday February 16th from 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

 -ENDS- 

Date: Sunday February 9th 2025

Photography credit: Kyran O’Brien

RTÉ Communications: Rayna Conner and Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill

Notes to Editor: 

ABOUT DANCING WITH THE STARS 2025

Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RTÉ One series sees 11 well-known figures team up with a professional dancer to perform a live routine every week. Each pairing will have a different dancing genre to master every week, from the Charleston to hip hop, and they’ll have just seven days to perfect their routine before performing live to the nation.
Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges and the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.

Dancing with the Stars is produced by ShinAwiL for RTÉ.
Dancing with the Stars is proudly sponsored by Hyundai.

You can follow all the action as it unfolds live on the Dancing with the Stars tracker on www.rte.ie/entertainment
For all the latest news and backstage gossip on Dancing with the Stars, keep an eye on our social channels:
Instagram: @RTEOne & @DWTSIrl
TikTok: @RTEOne
Facebook: @RTEOne
Twitter: @RTEOne @DWTSIrl
#DWTSIrl

Watch Episode One this Monday at 9.35pm on RTÉ One & RTÉ Player

Gerry Hutch: AKA The Monk is a major new two-part documentary series from RTÉ’s award-winning documentary team which has been almost a year in the making.  For decades, convicted criminal Gerry “The Monk” Hutch has attracted huge public and media attention wherever he goes.

For the first time on television, this two-part documentary series tells the story of Gerry Hutch’s rise from humble beginnings in North Dublin’s inner city to answering charges before Ireland’s Criminal Courts of Justice to the 2024 Dáil Éireann election hustings.

With unprecedented access to archive footage, extensive new background research and using a variety of storytelling techniques, this is the up-to-date story of Gerry Hutch by some of those who know his life best.

In April 2023, Gerry Hutch – AKA ‘The Monk’ – walked free from the Special Criminal Court after the Irish State unsuccessfully sought to prosecute him for his involvement in a gun attack at the Regency Hotel seven years previously.

Now out on bail from Spain, where he under investigation for alleged money laundering, he narrowly missed out on securing a Dail seat in one of the stories of the 2024 general election.

But who is Gerry Hutch and how did he and his family come to such prominence in Ireland’s criminal underworld? What happened when he and his allies went to war with the far larger and more powerful Kinahan clan?

The resulting feud would draw on the full resources of the Gardai and the State where serious questions remain unanswered. 18 men would be dead, including some of those closest to Gerry Hutch. He would walk from the gangland trial of the century a free man, but left counting a very real and personal cost.

This hugely anticipated new series examines Gerry Hutch’s life from his early years on the streets of Dublin to the Criminal Courts of Justice and the 2024 General Election hustings.

Read Director John Downes’ insights into making the series, including the story behind young reporter Leo Enright’s meeting with Gerry Hutch in the 1970s : AKA The Monk – inside RTÉ’s new Gerry Hutch documentary

Watch Gerry Hutch: AKA The Monk episode one this Monday night at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

– ENDS –

Date: 08 February 2025

Following a cosmic performance EMMY has been chosen to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, having emerged victorious on The Late Late Show Eurosong Special on RTÉ One tonight, following a nail biting national final!

The artist, from Norway, will now travel to Basel in Switzerland in May, where Ireland will compete in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, bidding to qualify for the grand final on Saturday May 17th.

Speaking just after the show, EMMY said: “I’m speechless… thank you so, SO much! Wow – we’re so excited. I hope I will make you proud Ireland.”

Presented by Patrick Kielty, all six hopefuls took to the Late Late Show Eurosong Special stage tonight, showcasing their entries to the nation before the voting lines were opened up to the public.

A panel of experts joined Patrick in the studio to give their analysis – last year’s Irish Eurovision entry Bambie Thug who placed sixth in the contest in Malmö – Ireland’s best result since 2000, RTÉ 2FM and Ireland’s Fittest Family presenter Laura Fox, Dancing with the Stars judge and choreographer Arthur Gourounlian and chef Donal Skehan who was a former Eurosong contestant in 2008.

During the show Eurovision royalty Linda Martin, Niamh Kavanagh and Eimear Quinn came together for the first time to perform on The Late Late Show Eurosong Special. This Eurovision Holy Trinity performed Loreen’s Tattoo.

The other Eurosong acts competing tonight were:
Adgy performing Run into the Night
Bobbi Arlo performing Powerplay
Reylta performing Fire
Samantha Mumba performing My Way
NIYL performing Growth

The International Jury consisted of experts in the field of Eurovision from throughout Europe:

Milica Fajgelj – Serbian Music Promoter and Manager- Jury spokesperson
Alessandro Capicchioni – Television executive and Head of the San Marino delegation at Eurovision since 2008
Emily Griggs – Head of Entertainment at SBS in Australia and Head of the Australian delegation at Eurovision
Benke Rydman – Creative Director and Choreographer for Eurovision winners Nemo and Mans Zemerlow

The National Jury consisted of:
Blathnáid Treacy – 2FM presenter and spokesperson for the jury
Caroline Henry – Music industry veteran
Jimmy Rainsford – Drummer with the incredibly successful band Picture This 
Kathryn McKiernan – TV and radio presenter, actor, musician and singer

Spokesperson for the International Jury, Milica Fajgelj, revealed that they had awarded the following points:
12 points to Samanatha Mumba My Way
10 points to EMMY Laika Party
8 points to Reylta Fire
6 points to Bobbi Arlo Powerplay
4 points to Niyl Growth
2 points to Adgy Run into the Night

Chair and spokesperson for the National Jury, Bláthnaid Treacy, revealed that they had allocated:
12 points to EMMY Laika Party
10 points to Samantha Mumba My Way
8 points to Reylta Fire
6 points to Bobbi Arlo Powerplay
4 points to Niyl Growth
2 points to Adgy Run into the Night

Given that Samantha Mumba and EMMY were tied at 22 points each it was all to play for when it came to the public vote, with RTÉ Today and Dancing with the Stars reporter James Patrice announcing that the Irish public had awarded the following points:
12 points to – EMMY Laika Party Total score: 34
10 points to  – Niyl Growth Total score: 18
8 points to  –  Bobbi Arlo Powerplay Total score: 20
6 points to – Adgy Run into the Night Total score: 10
4 points to – Samantha Mumba My Way Total score: 26
2 points to  – Reylta Fire Total score: 18

Last autumn, RTÉ issued a callout on The Late Late Show for artists and songwriters with the talent and ambition to compete and succeed in this highly competitive environment.

The 69th Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will be held in Basel Switzerland after Nemo won last year with their song The Code. Two semi-finals will take place on Tuesday May 13th and Thursday 15th followed by the Grand Final on Saturday May 17th 2025.

Notes to the editor:
Images have been issued to desks by Andres Poveda – info@apphoto.ie

Images available to download here: https://we.tl/t-NpUk5rKuOY
Photography Credit: Andres Poveda

Sweden now shares the record for most Eurovision wins together with Ireland – with a tally of seven victories at the contest. Ireland first entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965. Ireland famously won 4 out of 5 contests in the 1990s and became the first country to win 3 times in a row.

Ireland’s Eurovision Winners: 
– Dana All Kinds of Everything -1970
– Johnny Logan What’s Another Year -1980
– Johnny Logan Hold Me Now – 1987
– Linda Martin Why Me? -1992
– Niamh Kavanagh In Your Eyes -1993
– Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan Rock n Roll Kids -1994
– Eimear Quinn The Voice -1996
https://www.rte.ie/archives/2015/0520/702497-irelands-eurovision-contestants/

Head of Media for the Irish Delegation: Rayna Connery

Communications Lead: Jilly McDonough

BIOGRAPHY INFORMATION:
“LAIKA Party”
Performer: EMMY

EMMY is a 24-year-old Norwegian singer-songwriter. She was born and raised in a family that loves music and has been singing her whole life. When she was seven, she started making her own songs, both alone and with her brother, who is also a singer-songwriter. Her brother Erlend was also on keyboards during the Eurosong performance.

Her career got a kick-start in 2015 when she, as a 15-year-old, participated in Melodi Grand Prix Junior, one of the biggest music competitions in her country, for children. Six years later, in 2021, she participated in Melodi Grand Prix, Norway’s national selection of a song for Eurovision Song Contest. The song she performed was Witch Woods.

Today, she is especially known for singing on TikTok, and has a profile with 1.2 million followers, from around the world. She has also been working with big artist producers, such as K-391 and Braaheim.

In 2024, she was in Los Angeles, Latvia and France taking part in songwriting sessions. EMMY is also a freelance graphic designer.

Notes to Editor:
For more updates follow The Late Late Show online:
Instagram @latelaterte
TikTok: tiktok.com/@latelaterte
Blue Sky: latelateshow.rte.ie
X: @rtelatelateshow
Facebook: facebook.com/thelatelateshow
YouTube: youtube.com/@rtelatelateshow

Follow EMMY on Instagram: @emmykgk

The Football Association of Ireland and RTÉ have agreed a new deal for live coverage of the Ireland Women’s National Team for the next two years.

The new deal across television and radio will see RTÉ cover all of Ireland’s games through to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, including the 2025 UEFA Nations League, International Friendlies and World Cup qualifiers.

The agreement extends a partnership that has been in place since 2019, where RTÉ’s coverage has continued to grow in tandem with the team’s success and reached a peak audience of 659,000 during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Declan McBennett, RTÉ Group Head of Sport said: “We are delighted to continue to champion and support the Republic of Ireland’s Women’s national team and proud to be there with them every step of the way, since our first match broadcast in 2018.

RTÉ is committed to airing and streaming the best of our national teams and games as part of our core public service media offering. We will be broadcasting all the Republic of Ireland’s Women’s and Men’s International games in 2025, as part of delivering an action packed supporting year to fans.”

FAI Commercial Director Sean Kavanagh said: “It is fantastic to extend our partnership with RTÉ to provide live coverage of our Ireland Women’s National Team as they begin a new era under Head Coach Carla Ward. We are really excited about the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign and then pushing for qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, so it was important to have a committed partner to be part of that journey.

RTÉ have showed incredible support over the last few years to help us grow our audience and fan base in tandem with the rise of women and girls’ football in Ireland. We are looking forward to continuing that partnership to inspire the next generation.”

RTÉ cameras will be in Tallaght Stadium for new Head Coach Carla Ward’s first game in charge of Ireland on Friday, February 21 as they host Türkiye in their UEFA Nations League opener. Coverage live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player will start from 7.00pm.

– ENDS –

Laura Fitzgerald, Communications Manager | Laura.Fitzgerald@rte.ie

On tonight’s Late Late Show…

Bobbi Arlo performing Powerplay
Reylta performingFire
Adgy performing Run into the Night
EMMY performing (Laika Party)
Samantha Mumba performing My Way
NIYL performingGrowth

Each artist will perform their song live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player tonight, all selected from hundreds of entries received by RTÉ following a callout for submissions last year. Last autumn, RTÉ issued a calloutfor artists and songwriters with the talent and ambition to compete and succeed in this highly competitive environment.