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Celebrating 20 Years of the RTÉ Choice Music Prize

RTÉ Choice Music Prize 

In association with IMRO and IRMA

2 0 2 5   K E Y  D A T E S 

 Irish Album of the Year 2024 Shortlist – 6^th January

Irish Song of the Year 2024 Shortlist – 10^th January

Live in Vicar St, Dublin with Exclusive RTÉ 2FM Broadcast - 6th March

(Tickets on sale Friday 15th Nov at 9am, priced €29.50 plus booking fees)

https://www.ticketmaster.ie/ 

Details on… 

Irish Artist of the Year / Irish Breakthrough Artist / Classic Irish Album

20 years after the prize first made its debut in 2005, the RTÉ Choice Music Prize returns next year, and will continue its principal role in championing homegrown music. The key dates for 2025’s event were announced today on RTÉ 2FM’s Tracy Clifford Show.

The RTÉ Choice Music Prize live event, one of the music industry’s biggest nights, will be back in Vicar St on Thursday 6^th March and celebrated in an exclusive live broadcast on RTÉ 2FM, along with a TV-special on RTÉ2 later that month. 

Three additional prizes will be awarded once again on the night – Irish Artist of the Year, Irish Breakthrough Artist and Classic Irish Album. RTÉ 2FM will broadcast a week of Choice Music Prize announcements from 6^th -10^th January, with All Irish All Day kicking things off on the station on Monday 6^thJanuary. 

The RTÉ Choice Music Prize turns 20 next year – that’s 200 shortlisted albums, numerous performances and 20 winning albums from artists including – SOAK, Jape, The Divine Comedy, CMAT, Lankum, Adrian Crowley, Villagers, The Gloaming, Denise Chaila and many more:  https://www.choicemusicprize.ie/previous-winners/ 

Dave Reid, Choice Music Prize founder commented: “The RTÉ Choice Music Prize continues to highlight, promote & support Irish music across annually. We are delighted to be hosting the 20th edition of the project in 2025 and right now music across all genres in Ireland is in its healthiest state ever. We would like to thank all our partners and supporters down through the years as we strive to continue to shine a light on quality Irish music both domestically and internationally into the future”. 

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RTÉ Choice Music Prize Key 2025 Dates include:

Irish Album of the Year 2024 – shortlist Mon 6th January  

Irish Artist of the Year – shortlist Tues 7^th January

Irish Breakthrough Artist – shortlist Wed 8^th January

Classic Irish Album – further details Thurs 9^th January (the winning album will be announced ahead of the live gig next year)

Irish Song of the Year 2024 – shortlist Fri 10^th January

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Conversations – Thursday 6^th March, BIMM, Francis St

Live Event with an Exclusive RTÉ2FM Broadcast – Thursday 6^th March, Vicar St

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

The Choice Music Prize website has published a list of Irish albums released to date in 2024. This list can be viewed and updated via  https://www.choicemusicprize.ie/2024-album-list/ 

2023 winners announced earlier this year:

Lankum (pictured) – False Lankum (Rough Trade) (AOTY)

Cian Ducrot – “Heaven” (SOTY)

Jazzy – Irish Artist of the Year

Jazzy – Irish Breakthrough Artist of the Year

Achtung Baby by U2 – Classic Irish Album

RTÉ 2FM’s Head of Music, Adam Fogarty said: “Once again, 2FM is delighted to continue our partnership with the RTÉ Choice Music Prize for the 9th year running. With this year holding particular significance as the 20th Anniversary of this very important prize. Through our partnership, we’re delighted to be able to continue to celebrate all that is great about Irish music and Irish artists. Through the ‘Irish Artist of the Year’, ‘Irish Breakthrough Artist of the Year’ and ‘Classic Irish Album’ categories, and the longstanding ‘Irish Song of the Year’ and the preeminent ‘Irish Album of the Year’ prizes we are able to more broadly represent the incredible past, present and exciting future of Irish music. 2FM will continue its support as the flagship partner station, with content and promos across our platforms over the coming months, and this will be reflected more widely across the entire organisation as we get closer to the awards night.” 

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 nearly 20 years ago in 2005. The Irish Album of the Year prize only is chosen from a shortlist of ten albums by a panel of eleven Irish music media professionals and industry experts. The winning AOTY act will receive €10,000, a prize fund which has been provided by The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and The Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA).  All shortlisted acts will receive a specially commissioned award on the night.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Choice Music Prize: Liza Geddes, Recode Publicity I lizageddes@gmail.com 

RTÉ:  Neil O’Gorman I neil.ogorman@rte.ie  

– Definitive TV Leaders’ Debates to help voters decide 

– Three brand-new podcast series delivering key campaign insights 

– Broadcasting from over 22 constituencies nationwide with insight from the full 43 constituencies 

rte.ie/election2024 

RTÉ is set to deliver comprehensive coverage of the 2024 General Election, bringing the latest updates and in-depth analysis to television, radio, and online platforms. With a dedicated and highly knowledgeable team of journalists and broadcasters, RTÉ will provide audiences with up-to-the-minute reporting, sharp analysis and insights to keep the public informed at every stage of the campaign. From special election broadcasts and live debates to interactive online resources, RTÉ’s multi-platform approach will ensure that viewers and listeners across Ireland can engage with all the 2024 General Election coverage that matters to voters.

RTÉ’s television and streaming coverage for General Election 2024 will feature definitive leaders’ debates, offering voters unparalleled insights and direct engagement with party leaders as they face questions on their visions and policies for the nation’s future, across RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

RTÉ will host two major television leaders’ debates during the campaign, which will be available to stream worldwide. Upfront with Katie Hannon will hold the largest ever leaders’ debate, with 10 political party leaders invited to debate live in studio on Monday 18th November, as Katie asks the questions the voters want answered. On Tuesday 26th November, three days ahead of the country going to the polls, Prime Time will feature the final debate of the campaign. The leaders of the largest three parties have been invited to participate, with broadcasters Miriam O’Callaghan and Sarah McInerney asking the important questions.

From the get-go the RTÉ News app and RTE.ie will serve as the go-to hub for General Election 2024 voter-focused coverage in English and as Gaeilge, featuring brand new interactive constituency guides, breakdowns of party priorities, and issue-specific deep dives.

In a world of disinformation, RTÉ’s channels on TikTok, Instagram, You Tube, Facebook and X will provide voter-led coverage and a focus on amplifying young people’s voices and their views on key issues.

From the hustle and bustle of the campaign trail to the drama of debate nights, the RTÉ News App and social media channels will provide clarity on the issues in addition to bringing the public the latest breaking news, expert analysis and important local stories, framed in the big picture of the electoral landscape. With live updates via RTÉ’s Campaign Daily blog, handy election guides, and a poll tracker, RTÉ’s online coverage will help provide voters with clear, accurate information to navigate the fast-paced election landscape.

RTÉ is set to bring comprehensive and dynamic coverage of the General Election 2024 across its radio and audio platforms and has launched three brand-new podcast series on all things General Election, exploring issues, challenges, and voter perspectives from every corner of Ireland.

In Know Your Constituency, RTÉ Radio 1’s podcast series, Barry Lenihan explores the dynamics of Ireland’s 43 constituencies, with insights into boundary changes, political strategies, and local rivalries, featuring expert analysis and contributions from RTÉ’s top presenters and political commentators.

In Behind the Ballot, RTÉ’s David McCullagh, Katie Hannon and Fran McNulty go behind the scenes of General Election 2024 as they guide listeners through the campaign and what’s really going on with three podcasts each week and a bonus episode every weekend.

And for the first time, the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta team will host a dedicated Irish language election podcast titled An Pod Polaitiúil, as presenter Máirín Ní Ghadhra is joined by various political commentators each week.

RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland and Today with Claire Byrne will provide daily in-depth campaign coverage each morning and a series of in-depth leaders’ interviews as polling day approaches. The Morning Ireland team will be travelling  around the country, speaking to people in constituencies across urban and rural areas asking what are the issues that matter. News at One with Rachael English will bring listeners the latest breaking campaign news every day, including what’s happening in their constituencies and nationally.

Drivetime with Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra will go on the road to profile constituencies nationwide, while The Late Debate and Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin will tackle the election’s key issues, including programmes from around the country. On Sundays, This Week will examine topics, dissecting the manifesto promises with panels of political parties and independent politicians in two live studio debates over the weekends of the campaign.

Adding a satirical edge, Callan’s Kicks will continue to deliver weekly political humour on Fridays.

On 2fm there will be updates from the campaign trail on the issues affecting younger voters, with in-studio reports on The Laura Fox Show.

RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta will provide comprehensive pre-election coverage with election commentary and constituency profiles across its key current affairs programmes, including Adhmhaidin, Nuacht a hAon, Tús Áite, and An tSeachtain. Additional party debates in Gaeltacht regions will air on magazine programmes Iris Aniar, Barrscéalta, and An Saol ó Dheas.

RTÉ’s television and streaming coverage for General Election 2024 will feature definitive leaders’ debates, offering voters unparalleled insights and direct engagement with party leaders as they present their visions and policies for the nation’s future across RTÉ and RTÉ Player.

Upfront with Katie Hannon will also host a number of special election programmes, including dedicated housing and immigration focused episodes featuring Katie and a live studio audience, each designed to facilitate audience-led questions and in-depth discussions on these key election issues.  Prime Time will be out and about around the country in Limerick, Kilkenny and Carrick-on-Suir finding out from voters about the issues that are key for them and putting them to sitting and would be TD’s.

RTÉ News’ daily bulletins, One O’Clock News, Nuacht, Six One News and Nine O’Clock News will deliver comprehensive daily coverage of the General Election in English and as Gaelige, from manifesto launches to on-the-ground campaign updates from RTÉ’s team of reporters and correspondents, featuring insightful analysis and political interviews.

The Leaders Interviews on Six One will see David McCullagh conduct in-depth one-on-one live interviews with the leaders of 10 parties campaigning in the election. Sharon Tobin will co-present the flagship news programme from key locations nationwide, capturing voter sentiments and key issues like housing, health, and the cost of living.

For children, news2day will provide election coverage tailored for young audiences, including daily election facts, an interview series with party leaders featuring questions from young viewers, and another of their hugely popular video guides to understanding the PR voting system.

There will be a double helping of The Week in Politics presented by Áine Lawlor, with extra Wednesday night episodes in the lead-up to the General Election airing in addition to Sunday broadcasts. The programmes will debate  the issues with established and new candidates and will include a special edition from Galway focusing  on rural issues.

Through extensive reporting accross TV, radio, and online, RTÉ will keep audiences informed on the latest developments and key issues of General Election 2024, helping the public to make informed choices on polling day.

– ENDS –

Date: 09 November 2024

Note to Editor:  Full details regarding RTÉ’s comprehensive election results coverage will be announced in advance of polling day.

RTÉ Communications: Laura Fitzgerald and Sharon Sorohan

– RTÉ Radio 1 remains the only radio service with a weekly reach of over +1 million **, increasing by +2,000 YoY 
– RTÉ 2FM has a weekly reach figure of 762,000 of adults 15+, increasing by + 35,000 YoY 
– RTÉ lyric fm has 314,000 listeners on a weekly basis, increasing by +1,000 YoY

The latest JNLR listenership figures show that RTÉ’s radio services reach over 2 million adults* or 47% of the adult population every week, with RTÉ  holding 17 of the top 20 radio programmes in Ireland.

Speaking on the latest figures, Patricia Monahan, Director of Audio, RTÉ said: “We are very proud that more than 2 million people choose to engage with our stations every week underlining again the important role public service media plays in Irish life. RTÉ broadcasts 17 of the top 20 radio programmes in Ireland across a wide variety of genres including News and Current Affairs, Music and Entertainment, and Sport.

RTÉ Radio 1 remains the only station with a weekly reach of over 1 million listeners, with gains of 2,000 listeners year-on-year. RTÉ 2FM has a weekly reach of 762,000, an increase of 35,000 year-on-year, and RTÉ lyric fm now reaches 314,000 listeners every week. As we head into a General Election campaign, our focus will continue to be on delivering trusted information and engaging content and to reflect the experiences of audiences across Ireland.”

RTÉ Radio 1  
RTÉ Radio 1 reaches 891,000 listeners on a weekday (+11,000) YoY.

• Morning Ireland remains Ireland’s most listened to radio programme with 465,000 listeners this book (+2,000 YoY).

• Oliver Callan airing 9-10am Monday-Friday has 338,000 listeners each day (+2,000 BoB).

• Today with Claire Byrne – the second most listened to programme in the country – has 342,000 listeners tuning in every weekday from 10am-12noon (+11,000 YoY).

• The Louise Duffy Show  has 223,000 listeners (+2,000 BoB, and +10,000 YoY ) tuning in for great music.

• Brendan O’Connor on Saturday has 342,000 listeners (+7,000 YoY), with 339,000 listeners tuning in on Sunday (+16,000 YoY).

• News at One has 302,000 listeners (+7,000 BoB)

• Liveline with Joe Duffy has a listenership of 307,000 (+5,000 BoB).

• The Ray D’Arcy Show weekday afternoons on RTÉ Radio 1 has 188,000 listeners (+1,000 YoY).

• Drivetime has 221,000 listeners tuning in each evening (+2,000 YoY)

• Countrywide has had an increase of 48,000 YoY, with 261,000 listeners.

• Playback on Saturday has 318,000 listeners (+2,000 YoY).
• The Business on Saturday mornings has 337,000 listeners (+6,000 BoB and + 43,000 YoY).
• Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin has 224,000 listeners (+8,000 BoB).
• Saturday Sport/Doc On One from 2-6pm on RTÉ Radio 1 has 228,000 listeners (+2,000 BoB, +48,000 YoY) and Sunday Sport has 204,000 listeners (+1,000 BoB).
• Sunday Miscellany has 271,000 listeners.
• Sunday with Miriam has 300,000 listeners (+28,000 YoY).
• This Week has 188,000 listeners on Sunday (+20,000 YoY)

• Arena has 49,000 listeners every weekday (+8,000 BoB).

• The John Creedon Show has 59,000 listeners on weeknights (+3,000 BoB).

Peter Woods, Head of RTÉ Radio 1 said: “This is a solid book that consolidates and builds on the gains made by Radio 1, and is particularly heartening for Oliver Callan, who is less than 12 months in that slot and backed by a great team. We remain strong across the day and through the weekends for listeners, with Current Affairs, Music and Arts programmes all performing. John Creedon’s show is just short of 60 thousand listeners now, which is a remarkable achievement. We look forward now to bringing our listeners extensive coverage of the General Election.”

RTÉ 2FM   

• 2FM Breakfast has 142,000 listeners tuning in on weekday mornings

• Laura Fox on 2FM has 133,000 listeners to her 9-12pm show

• Tracy Clifford has 119,000 listeners enjoying great music each lunchtime (+6,000 YoY).

• 2FM Drive continues to entertain listeners across the country in the afternoons with 145,000 listeners

• Game On has 47,000 listeners tuning in weeknights (+5,000 BoB)

• 2FM Breakfast with Bláthanid Treacy on Saturdays has 67,000 listeners (+10,000 BoB), and Sunday 42,000 (+5, 000 BoB).

• Weekend Mornings on 2FM from 9am-12noon has 153,000 listeners on Saturdays (+17,000 BoB) and 137,000 on Sunday (+9,000 BoB).

• Roz and Emma on 2FM  from 12-3pm have 128,000 listeners on Saturdays (+5,000 YoY) and 109,000 listeners on Sundays (+11,000 BoB).

Dan Healy, Head of RTÉ 2FM, said:“The 2FM team, both on and off air, have done extremely well to stabilise the 15 to 34 audience Monday to Friday and to keep weekend programming strong. 2FM has always been a platform for creating and developing new presenters. During the summer we asked for expressions of interest in presenting on 2FM. We received hundreds of applications. Unsurprisingly, the talent in Ireland is phenomenal and the interest in presenting radio shows was huge. Over six days we met many of the applicants, many of whom have been piloting shows. We have been working hard on the new schedule and over the next while we will be unveiling our line-up full of gifted radio presenters who we are confident will meet the needs of young audiences in Ireland.” 

RTÉ lyric fm   

• Marty in the Morning has 68,000 listeners (+1,000 BoB) tuning in every weekday morning.

• Aedín Gormley’s Movies and Musicals every Saturday afternoon has 54,000 listeners

• Sunday Afternoon with Simon Delaney has 62,000 listeners (+2,000 BoB).

• Niall Carroll’s Classical Drivetime has 46,000 listeners

• Liz Nolan’s The Full Score/ Aedín in the Afternoon (Friday) have 48,000 listeners

• Lorcan Murray’s Classic Drive takes 50,000 listeners into the evening each weekday.

• The Mystery Train with John Kelly (Mon-Thurs)/ RTÉ lyric Live with Paul Herriott (Friday) has 27,000 listeners (+7,000 YoY)

• Evonne Ferguson’s Daybreak has 46,000 listeners (+3,000 BoB) on Saturday mornings.

• The Hamilton Scores with George Hamilton has 46,000 listeners on Saturdays and 54,000(+2,000 BoB) on Sundays.

Sinéad Wylde, Head of RTÉ lyric fm, said: “Marty in the Morning with Marty Whelan is RTÉ lyric fm’s most popular show which continues to grow, bringing our audience a lighter listen and setting the mood for the day with a gorgeous mix of music, chat and humour. Sundays performed particularly well for RTÉ lyric in this book with good gains from early morning on Vox Nostra with Vlad Smishkewych up 5,000 listeners, George Hamilton’s The Hamilton Scores gained 2,000 listeners, Vespertine with Ellen Cranitch on Sunday nights gained 5,000 listeners and one of the newest shows, Sunday Afternoon with Simon Delaney, has grown to 62,000 listeners. Ambient Orbit, a new addition in recent years has increased by 6,000 new listeners highlighting the fact that our listeners really do come to RTÉ lyric to unwind, reset and escape the noise of everyday life”. 

 -ENDS-
Date: Thursday 7th November 2024

Further information: 
Maureen Catterson, RTÉ Communications Manager
Jennifer O’Brien, RTÉ Communications

Notes to editor:  
* 2,028,000 Adults 15+
** 1,384,000 Adults 15+
In sourcing the current dataset (covering the period Oct 2023 – Sept 2024), and relevant comparable periods, the following wording should be used:

Book-on-Book (BoB) = Source: JNLR/ Ipsos MRBI 2024-3 vs. 2024-2.
Year-on-year (YoY) = Source: JNLR/Ipsos MRBI 2024-3 vs. 2023-3.
Timeblock Reach for National Commercial Stations October 2023 – September 2024
Top 20 All Week National Radio Programmes – Adults 15+

-ENDS-

7 November 2024

Jilly McDonough | Press Officer

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

Explore the future with Science Week on RTÉ 

Dive into a week of innovative, themed programming and content across RTÉ television, radio and online 

Dedicated slate of programmes and podcasts for kids 

Sunday 10th – 17th November | www.rte.ie/scienceweek 

RTÉ will once again celebrate Science Week with a range of themed future-focused programming and content across television, radio and online from Sunday 10th – Sunday 17th November, and beyond.  

From our ambitious brand new series, Futureville Ireland which explores some of the big ideas from Irish scientists that could shape Ireland’s first future city in 2050 to a new season of Heated on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player which shares new stories of those who are leading the fight for climate change across Ireland, and a dedicated slate of programmes and podcasts for kids, Science Week on RTÉ has been produced in collaboration with Taighde Éireann (Research Ireland). 

HIGHLIGHTS FOR ALL THE FAMILY 

>>> Futureville Ireland 

(7.00pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, Tuesday 12th – Thursday 14th November) 

Futureville Ireland is an ambitious new three-part series presented on consecutive evenings by Carla O’Brien & Dr Lollie (Lorraine) Mancey (pictured) on RTÉ One (and RTÉ Player) that offers a vision for a re-imagined Athlone as a major Irish city in 2050 – Futureville. What could it look like? What could daily life be like for the residents? How can science shape our future for the better? 

Futureville (or Athlone reimagined for 2050) is a midlands capital that could provide a home for a quarter of a million people. The exciting transformation of the city, built on Irish scientific research, could be applied just as easily to any other Irish town or urban centre. The series has been developed in collaboration with Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland. 

>>> Heated 

Heated also has plenty to offer during Science Week with a new season up and running on Tuesdays on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, sharing new stories of those who are leading the fight for climate change across Ireland. The series to date is available on RTÉ Player.  

>>> 10 Things to Know About  

(Episode 2/6, 8.30pm on Monday 11th November) 

In this Science Week episode of 10 Things to Know About we delve into how digital technology and AI are shaping our world. At Ardnacrusha, Ireland’s nearly 100-year-old power plant, we discuss how historical technological advances could help inform today’s society about challenges and opportunities. We discover efforts to assist and empower older adults as they navigate technology safely and confidently and reveal how a new supercomputer could be a gamechanger for Irish weather forecasting. Finally, we meet some of the children who are among the first in Europe to use exciting exoskeleton technology that will allow them to walk for the first time. 

HIGHLIGHTS FOR KIDS 

RTÉ has lots on offer for younger viewers during Science Week, including: 

Programmes for Kids 

>>> What’s Next? 

What’s Next?  is the show where kids – with a little help from some influencers – compete to come up with ideas that will save the Earth.   

In this series, a group of Irish kids put their minds to solving the problems of fashion, transport, waste, food and homes. Teamed up with top Irish influencers; Adam Beales, Demi Isaac Oviawe and MC Fitzpatrick, they set out to find the idea that will impress our judge Fionn Ferrieira – a genius young inventor from Cork. The winner of each episode will go through to the grand final where they’ll compete to win the golden brainbox and get the opportunity to pitch their idea to a millionaire investor on a mission to cool the planet.  

>>> The Scavengers 

Set in Ireland in the year 3000, a Scavenger crew are the first (and only) humans to live on earth in a thousand years. Join Arrow (13) along with his sister Starla (15) and best-bud robot ARG, as they navigate the comedic chaos and unexpected dangers of life on future Earth.   

>>> Where the Wild Geese Go 

Where the Wild Geese Go is a fantastic adventure and a fun project that is all about following the amazing Light-Bellied Brent Goose as it embarks on an incredible trip. Little is known about our feathered friends, and we want to find out more, so a team of scientists have been assembled to track the geese from Ireland to Canada and back again.   

This project brings you inside the flock to see these amazing birds in action, and as they travel, you’ll also find out more about the different places they visit and the diverse people they meet.  So, we’re calling all Goose Detectives to grab your binoculars and join us as we take off on this epic journey. Visit rte.ie/goose to log your sightings and to find out more. 

>>> Let’s Find Out (Supported by Research Ireland)  

In series three, ‘Protecting Planet Earth’, Zoom is excited to leave her spaceship to see planet earth for herself. Across 20 episodes and with help from her friends, she finds out about some of the brilliant things that humans are doing to protect their planet.” With Educational Resources for the classroom at www.rte.ie/scienceweek.  

RTÉjr Podcasts (RTÉjr Podcasts) 

>>> The Science of Sense returns for a third season on 12th November to look at food sustainability during Science Week. We look at what we eat, why it matters and what the future holds for our table.   

>>> Our Sustainable Village is an environmental Podcast for the classroom that follows kids from six schools in Cabra, Dublin, as they work with experts to make their community greener and healthier.  With classroom resources on RTÉ Learn 

HIGHLIGHTS ONLINE 

On RTÉ Player 

Check out RTÉ Player which is full of science-themed content for you to stream, including: 

• Futureville Ireland 

• Heated 

• 10 Things to Know About 

• Game Changer: AI & You 

• Big Life Fix 

• The End of the World with Beanz 

• What Planet Are You On 

• Father of the Cyborgs 

• Birdsong 

• Ireland’s Coast 

• The Island 

• Future Island Live 

• The Change: Ireland’s Menopause Story 

• Rising Tides: Ireland’s Future in a Warmer World 

• Losing Alaska 

 On RTÉ Brainstorm 

RTÉ Brainstorm will be highlighting cutting-edge research throughout Science Week including work on our body clocks, DNA in cows, 3D-printed medicines, air quality in classrooms and non-alcoholic beer. Visit www.RTÉ.ie/brainstorm and www.rte.ie/scienceweek for a wide range of science-themed pieces. 

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS 

>>> On RTÉ 2FM: Carl and Aifric and the Breakfast Show team will support Science Week through the breakfast show. 

>>> On Today, Kathriona Deveraux will present a LIVE VUE from the Marino Market in Cork on the exciting ‘Solaris’ exhibit which is currently touring Ireland and the popular afternoon TV programme will dedicate it’s ‘Win the wheel’ quiz to Science Week.

>>> News2day will bring young audiences a range of science stories across the week, including a visit to a Scifest exhibition at St. Andrew’s school in Blackrock, Co. Dublin. 

>>> And keep your eyes peeled for our daily climate-themed RTÉ Weather bulletins. 

Science Week on RTÉ has been produced in collaboration with Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland. For more on Science Week on RTÉ, see www.rte.ie/scienceweek.   

ENDS 

For information:  

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

Adam Thibault | Press Officer, RTÉ | E: adam.thibault@rte.ie 

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra and guests mark 55 years of the Dublin Simon Community with a special fundraising concert (13 December, The Helix), there are nights of film in Dublin and Waterford (13 & 15 November, The Helix & SETU) and a celebration of Elton John (28 November, NCH).

We see in 2025 in jazzy style with Associate Artist Guy Barker and guests (31 December, NCH), with classical and disco on the way in January (25 January, NCH and 30 January, The Helix).

Seasonal events in November and December are already heavily booked or sold out – Sunday Miscellany (5 December, NCH), Messiah (9–11 December, NCH), performances of Swan Lake and a Celine Byrne night (20–24 November and 16 December, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre) and Love Actually (30 November, Convention Centre).

Anna Sułkowska-Migoń and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra present Cinematic Classics
Wednesday 13 November, The Helix, 8pm
Friday 15 November, SETU, Waterford, 7.30pm

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra celebrates both music written for film – by John Williams, John Barry, Ennio Morricone and Hildur Guðnadóttir – and classical music famously used in films, with the Barber Adagio for Strings and excerpts from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet.

On the podium, the RTÉ CO welcomes back the Polish conductor Anna Sułkowska-Migoń, winner of the prestigious La Maestra competition in Paris (2022).

The evening will include Gudnadottir’s ominous Joker soundtrack, filled with dark, droning cello, winner of both a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for Best Original Score, as well as a BAFTA Award for Best Original Music. The breadth of John Williams’ career is showcased with the majestic theme from Jurassic Park (1993) and pieces from Harry Potter.

John Barry’s soundtrack to The Living Daylights brings his signature emotive strings to the beloved Bond theme, creating a menacing and moving suite, while the soundtrack to Dances with Wolves (1990), also a winner of Academy Award for Best Original Score, sweeps through beautiful phrasing, painting landscapes of the prairie.

The evening also features Barber’s haunting Adagio for Strings, as heard in The Elephant Man, Platoon, Amélie and more.

Cinema Paradiso won the 1990 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, and Ennio Morricone’s unforgettable soundtrack underscores the magic of falling in love with cinema. Enjoy a performance of the main theme in tribute to the maestro and the movies.

The Helix tickets: €15–€42.50

SETU tickets: €30

The Music of Elton John
Thursday 28 November, 8pm, National Concert Hall
Richard Balcombe conductor
Graham Bickley, Stuart Matthew Price, Patrick Smyth, Abbie Osmon vocalists
George King feature pianist

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was released in 1973 and has since been regarded as Elton John’s magnum opus, with sales of over 20 million worldwide. The RTÉ Concert Orchestra are joined by West End vocalists Graham Bickley, Stuart Matthew Price, Patrick Smyth and Abbie Osmon to pay tribute to the album, and the last fifty years of Elton John’s music, under conductor Richard Balcombe.

Presenting renditions of I’m Still Standing, Circle of Life, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, Candle in the Wind, Rocket Man, Your Song and more, you can tell everybody that this is your song.

I think it’s gonna be a long, long time until you have a night like this again, so get your colourful shades on and your flamboyant feathers out, to join the RTÉ Concert Orchestra celebrating the Rocket Man himself this November.

Tickets: €15–€42.50

Presented by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in association with GRB Concerts

Love Actually
Convention Centre
Saturday 30 November, 7.30pm
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
James Ham conductor

Singular Artists proudly presents the star-studded Christmas favourite Love Actually. The movie will come alive across the UK and Ireland in winter 2023, with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra performing its soundtrack live to screen.

The score for Love Actually was written by Golden Globe®, BAFTA and Emmy-winning Scottish composer Craig Armstrong OBE, known for his work on films such as Me Before You, Moulin Rouge, Far From The Madding Crowd and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. The music for Love Actually is considered some of the most recognisable across the modern romcom genre, featuring covers of Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You and the Troggs’ Love Is all Around.

Written and directed by Richard Curtis, Love Actually follows 10 different, yet interweaving stories of love around the festive period, involving a variety of individuals, many of whom are interlinked as the plot progresses.

The film boasts an all-star cast, featuring Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Bill Nighy, Martine McCutcheon, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Rowan Atkinson, Martin Freeman and many more.

Tickets: from €88.25
Presented by Singular Artists

Sunday Miscellany Live at Christmas
Thursday 5 December, 8pm, National Concert Hall
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Stephen Bell conductor

Sunday Miscellany is a gem in the RTÉ Radio 1 schedule. Since the programme’s first broadcast in 1968, with its evocative blend of new writing accompanied by complementary music, it has built its own magical space for listeners to escape to on Sunday mornings.

In recent years, Sunday Miscellany and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra have come together to bring this magic to audiences in live Christmas concerts, creating a new, beloved seasonal tradition in Dublin.

Each year an eclectic range of great musical artists and speakers join the RTÉ Concert Orchestra for an evening of music and creative writing at its best. This year’s line-up will include Paul Howard, Joseph O’Connor, Maggie Armstrong, Joe Kearney, Rachael Hegarty, John Toal and Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe. Presented by Sunday Miscellany producer Sarah Binchy.

Returns only
Presented by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and RTÉ Radio 1

Handel’s Messiah
Monday 9, Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December, 8pm, National Concert Hall
Our Lady’s Choral Society 
Ailish Tynan soprano • Leanne Fitzgerald alto • Patrick Hyland tenor • Tómas Tómasson bass
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Proinnsías Ó Duinn conductor

Our Lady’s Choral Society and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra with Proinnsías Ó Duinn and world-class soloists present Handel’s Messiah at the National Concert Hall, heralding the introduction of OLCS choir’s 80th anniversary (2025).

Christmas starts here… to avoid disappointment early booking is advisable for these sell-out performances.

Tickets: €25–€37
Presented by Our Lady’s Choral Society

Sing for Simon with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Friday 13 December, 8pm, The Helix
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Gavin Maloney conductor
With special guests Mary Black, Mary Coughlan, Angeline Ball, Shobsy and Stephen James Smith

Join the Dublin Simon Community to mark 55 years of service and launch their nationwide ‘Sing For Simon’ campaign.

Enjoy a magical night of heartfelt music and festive cheer with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra alongside an array of special guest artists, all under the direction of RTÉ CO Associate Principal Conductor Gavin Maloney.

This special fundraising event honours the vital services provided by Dublin Simon Community, which has been working tirelessly to prevent homelessness over the past 55 years. Your support helps sustain these essential services and highlights the ongoing need to aid Dublin Simon’s efforts.

Tickets: €10.50–€37.50
Presented by Dublin Simon Community with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra as guests

Celine Byrne’s Christmas Celebration
Monday 16 December, 7.30pm, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
Celine Byrne soprano
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Gavin Maloney conductor

After phenomenal performances in 2023 at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with Irish National Opera’s La Bohème and Der Rosenkavalier and a sellout Christmas spectacular in 2022, we are delighted to again join Celine Byrne for her Christmas Celebration.

Packed full of captivating Christmas carols and festive orchestrations, with favourites from films, musicals and opera, including O Holy Night, Nella Fantasia, Edelweiss, Sleigh Ride, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Silent Night, and much more.

Tickets: from €35.45

Presented by CMS Marketing

Swing into ’25 with the Jive

Tuesday 31 December, 10pm, National Concert Hall
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Guy Barker conductor
Giacomo Smith clarinet/saxophone
Vanessa Haynes, Joe Stilgoe, Tommy Blaize vocalists

Following on from last year’s successful dive into the ’20s with “Gatsby and Beyond”, this New Year’s Eve celebration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Guy Barker’s Big Band will move into the ’30s and ’40s – the swing era.

Swing, Swing, Swing in the new year with the music of the King of Swing Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway, Tommy Dorsey and more!

With a nod to the musical explosion that happened in the mid ’40s – bebop – we’ll celebrate the music of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Thelonius Monk, plus new arrangements by jazz genius Guy Barker, Associate Artist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Jive into ’25 as you mean to go on, as the RTÉCO and Barker welcome back vocalists Vanessa Haynes, Joe Stilgoe, Strictly Come Dancing’s Tommy Blaize and clarinet virtuoso Giacomo Smith.

Tickets: from €31.50
Presented by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
This concert will be broadcast live on RTÉ lyric fm

Tchaikovsky & Bruch
Saturday 25 January, 8pm, National Concert Hall
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Teresa Riveiro Böhm conductor

Brahms Tragic Overture
Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 ‘Pathétique’

Join the RTÉ Concert Orchestra for an evening of Romantic masterpieces under Austrian-Spanish conductor Teresa Riveiro Böhm. Winner of the 2019 Neeme-Järvi Prize at the Gstaad Menuhin Festival, Böhm has held prestigious positions with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Welsh National Opera and the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra.

The concert begins with Brahms’ powerful and dramatic Tragic Overture. A special guest soloist will join the RTÉ CO for Bruch’s beloved Violin Concerto No. 1, one of the most popular of them all. And to end the evening, one of the most profoundly emotional symphonies, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, the ‘Pathétique’.

Tickets: €15–€42.50

Presented by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra

Disco Inferno with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Thursday 30 January, 8pm, The Helix
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Stephen Bell conductor
Capital Voices: Lance Ellington, Hazel Fernandes, Annie Skates, Steve Trowell vocalists

Join the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and vocalists Capital Voices, under RTÉ CO Principal Guest Conductor Stephen Bell, for an evening of dazzling disco favourites.

Put on your sequins and step into the light of the dance floor with funky beats, orchestral arrangements and some of the most beloved disco anthems. Let your young hearts run free, as groove, glamour and glorious music will have you dancing all night long, from Stayin’ Alive to I Will Survive.

Get under the glitterball for favourites like We Are Family, That’s the Way I Like It and Love is In The Air.

Don’t blame it on the RTÉ CO, blame it on the boogie.

Tickets: €15–€42.50

Presented by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra

 

Angela Rohan, PR Executive | RTÉ

 

IMPRESSIVE STORIES EXPLORING HUMAN CONNECTION SHOW WEALTH OF WRITING TALENT IN IRELAND 

WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT SPECIAL AWARDS EVENT ON FRIDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 

BROADCAST ON RTÉ RADIO 1’S ARENA ON MONDAY 2ND DECEMBER (7PM) 

DETAILS: www.rte.ie/writing 

TICKETS: https://www.paviliontheatre.ie/events/view/arenalive 

FOLLOW: #rteshortstory 

RTÉ has announced details of the ten exciting new stories which have been shortlisted for the RTÉ Short Story Competition 2024 in honour of Francis MacManus, from close to 1,500 entries submitted. 

The judges were writers Neil Hegarty, Claire Kilroy and Kathleen MacMahon. 

The shortlisted stories, in alphabetical order by story title are: 

• Artifice, by Sharon Guard 

• Chambermaid, by Fiona O’Connor 

• Dead Bait, by Mattie Brennan 

• Dessie and Hopper, by Susanne Stich 

• Divination, by Stephen O’Reilly 

• Once Upon an Algorithm, by Ryan Delaney 

• Planning the Leftovers, by Sheila Barrett 

• The Other Órla, by Emer O’Toole 

• The Rehearsal, by Alexis MacIsaac 

• Turncoat, by David Ralph 

***Information about the writers and their stories are included in the NOTES below, along with the RTÉ Radio 1 broadcast schedule. 

Neil Hegarty, who joined the judging panel this year said: “I’m deeply impressed by the entries submitted this year. Quite simply, it’s so heartening to see the sheer quality of writing on display. I’m also struck by how these stories track emotional lives in all their variety and complexity: art acts as a barometer of society, of course, but it seems to me that the RTE Short Story Competition in particular truly mirrors the preoccupations of our society in the here and now.”  

Fellow judge Claire Kilroy added: “There were several recurrent themes: grief, sexual politics and the differences between male and female worlds…”  

Judge Kathleen MacMahon commented that: “human connection was the subject of almost every story we read this year – the need for it, the obstacles to it. In exploring this fundamental theme, this year’s Francis Mac Manus finalists showed us once again the wealth of writing talent that exists in Ireland and the ever-renewing energy to explore the landscape of our lives through words.” 

All ten stories will be published on rte.ie/culture on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November, and broadcast (read by actors) over the course of the following two weeks, from Monday 18th November on RTÉ Radio 1’s Late Date.  They’ll also be featured regularly on RTÉ Radio 1’s Arena in advance of the awards event – an RTÉ Radio 1 Arena special programme, presented by Seán Rocks – at the Pavilion Theatre in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, at 7pm on Friday 29th November, which all the shortlisted writers are invited to attend. The event will feature readings of extracts from all ten shortlisted stories, each followed by a discussion with all three judges before they award their top prizes.  

The winning writer will receive €5,000, while the second and third placed writers will receive €4,000 and €3,000 respectively. All seven runners-up will receive €250 each. 

The RTÉ Radio 1 Arena special will be broadcast at 7pm on Monday 2nd December 2024. 

Tickets for that event are now on sale here 

Sarah Binchy, series producer said: “This is another delightfully fresh and varied clutch of stories, with great talent and verve on display from this year’s writers. We’re looking forward to sharing the stories on rte.ie/culture, on air and on podcast, voiced by some of Ireland’s finest actors — and gathering in person with the judges, writers and audience members to award the top prizes as part of the Arena short story finale in the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire on Friday 29th November.” 

Set up in 1986 to honour writer and broadcaster Francis MacManus, the RTÉ Short Story Competition has been a critically important launch pad for new and emerging writers in Ireland. Past winners and shortlisted writers include Claire Keegan, Molly McCloskey, Danielle McLaughlin, Anthony Glavin, Chris Binchy, Nuala O’Connor, Liz Nugent, Colin Walsh, Stephen Walsh, Austin Duffy and Sarah Gilmartin. 

The RTÉ Short Story Competition is free to enter, and open to any writer over 18 living on the island of Ireland, or living abroad who holds an Irish passport. Details of next year’s competition will be announced in early 2025. For more on the RTÉ Short Story Competition, see www.rte.ie/writing.   

ENDS 

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

NOTES TO EDITORS 

ABOUT THE WRITERS AND STORIES (Alphabetical order by writer’s first name) 

ALEXIS MACISAAC (Irish Canadian, living in Ottawa) 

Alexis MacIsaac is a dual Irish Canadian citizen whose writing has been featured in Masks Literary Magazine (2023 story award winner), The Bookends Review, and Agnes and True, among others. She previously toured as a musician with Irish shows Riverdance and The High Kings. Now, she works in the civil service in Domestic Oceans Policy and lives in Ottawa with her husband, Calum, and two sons, Cillian and Rafferty. She is currently working on her first novel.  

The Rehearsal 

“This story is meant to be read as a kind of Rorschach test. In particular, I wanted to explore how men and women can sometimes view the world very differently, and how this difference in perception often exposes the tenuousness of human connection.” 

DAVID RALPH (Tipperary, living in Dublin) 

David Ralph is originally from Tipperary and now lives in Dublin. His stories and essays have been published in Dublin Review, Southword, Banshee, New Irish Writing, Litro, Fish Anthology, Channel. He won a New Irish Writing Award in 2020 and placed third in the 2022 Fish Memoir Prize. He works as an academic in Trinity College Dublin. 

Turncoat 

“Turncoat is about a man who has acted against his better nature, or simply followed it, and is now paying the consequences for his actions. I’ve seen dogs freaked out at people wearing Halloween costumes, barking, howling, yelping in fright. I wish I could say nothing whatsoever in this story’s origins is autobiographical.” 

EMER O’TOOLE (Galway, living in Montréal) 

Emer O’Toole is from Galway, and now lives in Montréal, where she teaches Irish theatre, film, and performance at Concordia University. She’s written lots of non-fiction, including academic and newspaper commentary. Her book Girls Will Be Girls (Orion: 2015), a funny, accessible introduction to gender theory, has been translated into six languages. Emer is new to writing fiction and is hoping to find a home for her recently completed first novel. 

The Other Órla 

“The Other Órla is about how we, as women, can make ourselves small to please others, and how bad that is for society. It is also a story about shame, about things we did when we were young that haunt us, about trying to live with past selves. The ending of the story landed in my head while I was taking a shower, and I worked backwards to find the characters, the context, and the narrative.” 

FIONA O’CONNOR (From Dublin, living in Kerry and London) 

Dubliner Fiona O’Connor divides her time between Co. Kerry and London. She has produced open air theatre at St John’s Mill, Beaufort, Co Kerry. Awards include a Hennessy Literary Award and Eamon Kelly Bursary. She is published in The Stinging Fly, The Lonely Crowd, Sublunary Editions, and Exacting Clam (forthcoming). She also writes occasional features for The Irish Times and The Morning Star. 

Chambermaid 

“Chambermaid is a romantic love story. When it is forbidden, love can reveal hidden sides to a person.” 

MATTIE BRENNAN (From Sligo, living in Clare) 

Mattie Brennan is a graduate of the MA in Creative Writing at the University of Limerick. His fiction has featured in The Stinging Fly, Southword and has been shortlisted for several awards, including the Cúirt New Writing Prize and the Seán O’Faoláin International Short Story Competition. Originally from County Sligo, he now lives in County Clare. 

Dead Bait 

“The idea for this story came to me when I saw three men fishing at Doolin pier a few years ago at about 2am. I’d just finished working a shift nearby in McDermott’s bar, and I’d pulled up in my van to sleep there for the night. As I watched the lads cast, I thought to myself that there’s surely a story here somewhere. I initially envisioned writing a scene about three mates simply whiling away the time, but, like many stories, what I ended up with was far different from my original idea. When the various characters in this story presented themselves, I knew I had to follow a particular thread.” 

RYAN DELANEY (Irish Australian living in Edinburgh) 

Ryan is an Irish Australian currently living in Edinburgh. After years of writing screenplays that no one seemed very interested in, he turned his hand to prose writing during the pandemic, and this year is on a roll. His short story The Shadows Cast by the Moon won the international short story competition, The Hope Prize; his first novel-in-progress was chosen for development at The Stinging Fly Summer School at the Irish Writers Centre; and Franky Unbound, a humourous story about being the youngest in a big family was shortlisted in the All-Ireland Scholarship.  

Once Upon an Algorithm 

“Once Upon an Algorithm is a loosely biographical story that wrote itself in an afternoon, about a writer getting into a psychological struggle with a chatbot.” 

SHARON GUARD (Dublin) 

Sharon Guard is from, and still lives in, Dublin, where she works in the pharmaceutical industry. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Limerick. Her work has appeared in New Irish Writing, SWERVE magazine, The Ogham Stone and Washing Windows. She won the Molly Keane Creative Writing Award in 2020 and her debut novel, Assembling Ailish, will be published by Poolbeg Press in February 2025. 

Artifice 

“I think there’s something fascinating about watching somebody watch their own reflection in a mirror,” Sharon says. “Particularly a person putting on makeup or getting their hair done, making decisions about what to show and what to hide from the world. What to show and to hide from themselves. Artifice is a story about coping, resilience, the everyday paralysis and propulsion of grief. The effort required to manifest hope.” 

SHEILA BARRETT (From Dallas, living in Dalkey) 

Sheila Barrett was born in Dallas, Texas. She moved to Dalkey with her husband, John Barrett, a homecoming Dub, in 1969, and is still in the same house. She has published two novels and a number of short stories. Her more recent writing is grounded in the realities – and drama -of family life. She is working on a novel. 

Planning the Leftovers 

“Planning the Leftovers coalesced from many sources, over time – the world’s shrinking and the new shapes of families – and the mix of loss and delight these can bring.” 

STEPHEN O’REILLY (Donegal, living in Galway) 

Raised in Donegal, Stephen O’Reilly lives near Craughwell, Co. Galway. His short stories have featured in numerous anthologies in Ireland and the UK. He is a previous recipient of a Molly Keane Memorial award, a HG Wells Short Story award and was also winner of the 2019 RTÉ Short Story competition.  

Divination 

“Time has a way of confounding your expectations. I wanted to write about that uncertainty and how a couple navigate the loss of an imagined future. The tension between faith and reason and the fragility of hope.” 

SUSANNE STICH (Inishowen, via Nürnberg) 

Susanne Stich grew up in Nürnberg and has lived in Inishowen for many years. Her creative work has involved writing, filmmaking and photography, but in recent years she has concentrated mostly on writing. Her work has appeared in The Stinging Fly, Winter Papers, Banshee, The Pig’s Back, New Irish Writing, Ambit and other places. She was shortlisted for the Bristol Short Story Prize and a finalist in the Irish Novel Fair. She holds an MA in Literature and Film Studies from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, a PhD with creative practice from Ulster University, Belfast and has worked in the arts and educational sector as a lecturer, curator and facilitator. 

Dessie and Hopper 

“Dessie and Hopper started with an image of a cold flat, a middle-aged woman and two dogs she’s in some kind of dialogue with. Further details emerged over various drafts: the character’s poverty and self-hate, but also her background in art history, which paves the way for a chance encounter with another woman that turns out to be illuminating. I wanted to reflect on clashes between the personal and the political, and how for a large number of people, many of them women, these clashes shape the very core of their lives, but can be hard to articulate in isolation.” 

ABOUT THE BROADCAST SCHEDULE ABOUT THE 2024 SHORTLISTED STORIES  

• Monday 18 November: Planning the Leftovers, by Sheila Barrett, read by Bríd Ní Neachtain 

• Tues 19 November: Dead Bait, by Mattie Brennan, read by Aaron Monaghan 

• Wed 20 November: The Rehearsal, by Alexis MacIsaac, read by Tierra Porter 

• Thurs 21 November: The Other Órla, by Emer O’Toole, read by Elaine O’Dwyer 

• Fri 22 November: Once Upon an Algorithm, by Ryan Delaney, read by Peter Hanly 

• SAT 23 November – NO STORY 

• Sun 24 November: Chambermaid, by Fiona O’Connor, read by Janet Moran 

• Mon 25 November: Dessie and Hopper, by Susanne Stich, read by Ruth McGill 

• Tues 26 November: Turncoat, by David Ralph, read by Tadhg Murphy 

• Wed 27 November: Artifice, by Sharon Guard, read by Ali White 

• Thurs 28 November: Divination, by Stephen O’Reilly, read by Andrew Bennett 

Offering an intimate and unfiltered look at the life of Christy Brown, Christy Brown: Self Portrait is a film narrated by Aidan Gillen, and features Saoirse Ronan bringing Brown’s poetry to life, with contributions from Jim Sheridan, John Banville, and artist Mary Duffy.

With access to Christy’s personal archive—letters, photographs, and artworks—the film explores the relationships and challenges that shaped his work. From his bond with his mother, Bridget, to his turbulent connection with his wife, Mary Carr, Self Portrait examines the forces that coloured his life. The film also features insights from those who
knew and respected Christy, including Jim Sheridan, John Banville, Mary Duffy, Dr. Rosaleen McDonagh, Peter Sheridan, and Christy’s youngest sibling, Ann Jones.

Listen: Director Alex Verner speaks to RTÉ Radio 1 Arena Christy Brown: Self Portrait | Arena – RTÉ Radio 1 (rte.ie)

Broadcast Details: Christy Brown: Self Portrait airs on Wednesday 6th November, 9.35pm, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player

Info: Narrated by Aiden Gillen, featuring Saoirse Ronan, and produced by Averner Films, this fifty-minute film goes beyond My Left Foot and the paintings that defined Christy Brown’s public image.

It challenges the narrative solidified by the 1989 Oscar-winning movie, which introduced Christy’s story to a global audience but limited his legacy. Christy Brown: Self Portrait expands this view, portraying him as he wanted to be remembered: a serious poet whose voice reached beyond the constraints of his physical condition.

Reimagining Christy’s story through his own words, the film draws from his poetry, letters, and lesser-known writings. “Self Portrait assembles a more complete, honest view of Christy,” says writer and director Alex Verner. “Through his poems, we see a man confronting struggles but refusing to let them define him. It’s raw, unfiltered, and deeply human.”

Saoirse Ronan’s readings bring Christy’s poems to life, revealing the depth of his inner world. His brother-in-law, Willie Jones, shares: “He wanted others to read his poetry
because he couldn’t. When we did, people understood him.”

Editor’s note

This marks the third RTÉ documentary by Irish filmmaking brothers Alex and Joel Verner of Averner Films, following their award-winning and RTS-award nominated documentaries Jack B. Yeats: The Man Who Painted Ireland (narrated by Pierce Brosnan) and Untameable(narrated by Ciarán Hinds), both written with Colm Tóibín.

RTÉ Communications: Jennifer O’Brien

RTÉ and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland are proud to unveil three new Storyland dramas which will air on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from Thursday October 31st at 10:35pm. What do Love/Hate and Misfits actor Robert Sheehan, former Fair City actress Jenny Dixon’s twin baby girls and Eastenders actress Bharti Patel have in common? They all star in the three brand new Storyland dramas this year SHUSH, I’m Yours and Have You Read About Erskine Fogarty?

Since its inception in 2009, Storyland has acted as a launch pad for Irish writing, directing, producing, and acting talent throughout Ireland to develop and further their careers. This is part of RTÉ’s ongoing strategy to increase its development in drama output, by investing in and supporting the Irish creative industry. This strategy also supports the employment of hundreds of people across the industry, in order to bring more Irish drama series to television, and importantly to RTÉ Player where scripted series dominate viewing.

First up is SHUSH airing on Thursday 31st October on RTÉ2 at 10:35pm. Ruth’s love for baby Fia is undeniable. But under the strain of loneliness and a difficult domestic existence, Ruth impulsively makes a drastic decision to set off with the baby, without telling anyone. SHUSH is a tense psychological thriller that asks how far we would go to keep our loved ones close, and who can we really trust. Starring and written by Liv O’Donoghue, produced by Jo Halpin for Charmer Pictures and directed by Jane Moriarty. Starring Mark Huberman in the role of John and twins Bella and Capri Neville in the role of baby Fia.

Pictured above: Shush – Ruth and baby Fia

In I’m Yours, airing Thursday November 7th Zo is a high-flying solicitor in Ireland’s top law firm, but she’s harbouring a secret: she’s engaged to a man she’s never met, who her Pakistani parents have picked. When Zo’s colleagues spot her engagement ring, her Pakistani and Irish identities collide. Zo is vague on details but with decision-time fast approaching, Zo decides to break with tradition, and meet her fiancé before they get married. Will the man of her dreams live up to Zo’s expectations… or will he be himself? This fresh, funny drama is an exploration of modern romance, with the weight of inherited cultural tradition. I’m Yours is written by Diandra Xavier and directed by Laura O’Shea for Deadpan Pictures. Starring Jeffrin Jerome (Zo), Clara Harte (Oonagh), Trevor Kaneswaran (Bilal), Paul Tylak (Zo’s dad Ali) and Bharti Patel (Zo’s mum Fatima).

Pictured above: I’m Yours – Zo and Bilal

The third and final Storyland installment for 2024, Did You Read About Erskine Fogarty? starring Robert Sheehan will air on RTÉ2 on Thursday November 14th. A man who has lost everything drags his last possession, a double-wide American fridge freezer, back to his childhood home, to show his old neighbours what a big shot he is. The highly anticipated television adaptation of Blindboy’s short story “Did You Read About Erskine Fogarty?” from his critically acclaimed first book “The Gospel According to Blindboy.” Shot entirely on location in Limerick, the show stars Robert Sheehan in an unforgettable performance in the lead alongside Peter Coonan, Siobhan O’Kelly and a debut performance from Thomas O’Halloran. Written by Blindboy Boatclub, produced and directed by James Cotter for Connla’s Well Productions. Score by Blindboy Boatclub.

Pictured above: Have You Read About Erskine Fogarty?

David Crean, Acting Head of Drama, RTÉ said: “It’s always so exciting to introduce a new series of Storyland dramas to audiences on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. The joy of Storyland is being able to introduce new voices with original stories for television. We’re delighted to continue our work with our partners in Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland as we both ensure there is a pipeline for talent and new entrants into the drama sector.”

Keith Potter, Head of Film at Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, said: “Screen Ireland congratulates all of the Storyland filmmaking teams as their films begin to air this week on RTÉ. Storyland is an invaluable opportunity for emerging Irish storytellers looking for their first step in television and we are delighted to once again join forces with RTÉ on this incredible initiative.”

Following on from RTÉ’s recent homegrown dramas including The Boy That Never Was, The Gone, Hidden Assets, Obituary and The Dry, which all embrace local storytelling at their core, the chosen three short dramas in Storyland feature stories that will resonate with Irish audiences and showcase an impressive standard of diverse and immense talent.

Contact: Rayna Connery, RTÉ Senior Press Officer | rayna.connery@rte.ie

Get ready for weekend thrills and high stakes with The Money List on Saturday and Sunday nights

Baz Ashmawy returns with a weekend bonanza of his hugely addictive gameshow, The Money List. The series will air across the weekend, on Saturday and Sunday nights each week, kicking off on Saturday 2nd November at 9.20pm and Sunday 3rd November at 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Once again, two teams of complete strangers are challenged to fill in missing answers on a list. The more lists they complete, the more money they win. The lists can be about anything, from ‘Presidents of the USA’ to ‘Madonna Hit Singles’.

The Money List presenter Baz Ashmawy commented: “I’m so excited that The Money List is back! The fact that it’s going to be on every Saturday and Sunday night really adds to the excitement, with up to €30,000 up for grabs each night. Once again this season, we have an amazing selection of contestants, lucky strangers from all around the country who have a chance to win some staggering sums of cash. It’s going to be brilliant!”

The first team to win two lists gets to play for €15,000. Every correct answer on the list is a step up the money ladder to that top cash prize. As the champions progress, they can bank their money or keep going, but one wrong answer will lose them everything. As the winning team progresses on The Money List, if they keep on winning, they can keep on earning until another team of contestants knocks them out.

In episode one, Bill from Kerry and Sandra from Dublin take on Mark from Dublin and Caroline from Kilkenny for the chance to win €15,000. The winning team will go on to face new challengers, Daphne from Longford and Liam from Dublin. Can perfect strangers become a winning partnership and bank the big bucks? Tune in to find out!

The Money List returns on Saturday 2nd November at 9.20pm and Sunday 3rd November at 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

For more:Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill, RTÉ Communications | eadaoin.nicgiolla@rte.ie

Notes to Editors 
A preview of episode 1 is available on request.

Episode 1 – Saturday 2nd November, 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player 
In episode one of The Money List, Bill from Kerry and Sandra from Dublin take on Mark from Dublin and Caroline from Kilkenny for the chance to win €15,000. The winning team will go on to face new challengers, Daphne from Longford and Liam from Dublin.

Episode 2 – Sunday 3rd November, 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player 
Tonight, our champions take on new challengers, Brendan from Meath and Dee from Wicklow for the chance to win €15,000. Who will go on to face a new set of challengers, Nichola from Wicklow and Martina from Mayo? Find out on episode 2 of The Money List.