Your Public Service Media Do Mheáin Seirbhíse Poiblí

Congratulations to our newsroom colleague Yvonne Murray who was recently announced as an award finalist by the United Nations Correspondents Association. The UNCA chose Yvonne as the Bronze finalist of the Elizabeth Neuffer Memorial Prize for her coverage of the UN and UN agencies.

The United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) invites media worldwide to submit entries for its annual UNCA Awards for best print, broadcast (TV & radio) and online, web-based media coverage of the United Nations, UN agencies and field operations. The prize for online and print coverage is named in honor of Elizabeth Neuffer, the Boston Globe bureau chief at the United Nations, died while on assignment in Baghdad in 2003.

The 2024 UNCA Awards winners will be awarded at the 28th annual UNCA Awards gala on Friday, December 13th in New York. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will be the guest of honour of the evening. The black-tie event will be attended by UN ambassadors, senior UN officials, humanitarians, corporate and cultural organisations, and media from around the globe.

Here is your host, Patrick Kielty!

Bad Sister Sharon Horgan will sit down with Patrick this Friday night to chat about the return of black comedy series Bad Sisters, the reaction to the first season and what we can expect from the Garvey sisters this time around. Sharon will also speak to Patrick about an unexpected Royal visit on set and coming home to her family, who are just as busy as the Garveys!

Television host Piers Morgan will be discussing his turbulent relationship with President-elect Donald Trump and what he thinks the next four years have in store for America and the World; his YouTube show Piers Morgan Uncensored and why he loves to wind people up.

Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Emily Maitlis will chat to Patrick about her infamous interview with Prince Andrew in 2019 which made headlines around the world. She’ll also talk about adapting the story for screen in her Amazon series A Very Royal Scandal and the fallout from that interview five years on.

Comedian and writer Russell Kane makes his Late Late Show debut and joins Patrick to chat about new children’s book and his Hyperactive tour, which he brings to Ireland next year.

Home from a number of gigs across the UK, Cork singer songwriter Allie Sherlock will be in studio on Friday night to perform her new song and to chat about her rising music career; and why she still loves busking on Dublin’s Grafton Street!

And someone at home will be surprised with the very first pair of audience tickets to The Late Late Toy Show!

The Late Late Show is proudly sponsored by PTSB.

-ENDS-

21 November 2024

Press Officer: Jilly McDonough

Notes to Editor:
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

Blindboy Boatclub interrogates the legacy of early Irish Christianity in Blindboy: The Land of Slaves and Scholars 

Thursday November 21st, 10.15pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player 

Writer and podcaster Blindboy Boatclub will explore the origins, evolution and cultural legacy of early Irish Christianity in his new documentary Blindboy: The Land of Slaves and Scholars. The documentary airs on Thursday November 21st at 10.15pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Blindboy doesn’t believe in any god or religion, and yet, in this documentary, he decides to explore the origins and evolution of early Irish Christianity, hermits, saints and monasteries, to try to find out who were these people who had such a profound influence, not just on Irish culture, but on the whole of medieval Europe.

Blindboy, with input from a host of local experts and historians including Manchán Magan, Dr Daniel Curley, Dr Elizabeth Boyle and Dr Niamh Wycherley, interrogates our early medieval history. Blindboy: The Land of Slaves and Scholars lays bare the treasures of Ireland for all to see, from ancient stone circles to the Skellig Islands and the ancient pilgrimage site of Lough Derg in Donegal. Guided by a soundtrack composed by Blindboy, this documentary asks: what did Irish Christian missionaries, hermits, and monasteries contribute to the Irish writing tradition?

Blindboy comments: “I’m a writer who is fascinated with the Irish writing tradition. I believe that the period of early Irish Christianity is a huge facet of this tradition, and I feel queasy about that, because when I think of Irish Christianity, I think of the Catholic Church, and when I think of the Catholic Church, I think about abuse and victimisation. That dichotomy acts as a barrier for me to feel proud about this period of our history.  

“I want to find out about the monasteries, about their contribution to literature, about the storytelling. I want to know the saints. Were they even real? Who were the human beings who created illuminated manuscripts, who would go and live on an island off the coast of Kerry in beehive huts? Were they mad?” 

Blindboy: The Land of Slaves and Scholars, produced with support from An Coimisiún na Meán’s Sound & Vision fund, airs on Thursday November 21st at 10.15pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

ENDS

RTÉ Communications: Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill

As part of RTÉ’s comprehensive coverage of the General Election 2024 campaign, the first of two definitive leaders’ debates will air this Monday night, 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.

Upfront with Katie Hannon will host the largest ever leaders’ debate tomorrow, Monday 18th November, with ten political party leaders taking part in the live debate in RTÉ.

Journalist Katie Hannon will be asking the important questions as ten leading politicians vying for votes in General Election 2024 set out their stall before Ireland goes to the polls.

Speaking ahead of the live broadcast, presenter Katie Hannon said: “I’m looking forward to moderating the biggest ever television leaders debate on Monday night.  This is the only opportunity there will be during this election campaign to see all ten party leaders debate with each other and make their pitch for our votes. We’ll be asking the questions that people want answered on their polices and promises and ensuring that voters know where every party stands on the key issues before they head to the polls on 29th November.” 

The ten political party leaders joining Katie on stage for the major two-hour live debate will be:

• Ivana Bacik, Leader of the Labour Party
• Richard Boyd Barrett, Leader of People Before Profit
• Joan Collins, Leader of Right to Change
• Michael Collins, Leader of Independent Ireland
• Simon Harris, Leader of Fine Gael
• Micheál Martin, Leader of Fianna Fáil
• Mary Lou McDonald, Leader of Sinn Féin
• Cian O’Callaghan, Deputy Leader of Social Democrats
• Roderic O’Gorman, Leader of the Green Party
• Peadar Tóibín, Leader of Aontú

Watch RTÉ Upfront with Katie Hannon Party Leaders’ debate at 9.35pm on Monday 18th November. The programme will be available to watch live on RTÉ One, RTÉ News channel and worldwide on the RTÉ Player.

– Ends –

Date: Sunday 17th November 

RTÉ Communications: Sarah Neville and Laura Fitzgerald

SPREADING THE NEWS

RTÉ partners with Abbey Theatre to mark 120 years with special event

Abbey Stage, Abbey Theatre

Recorded live at 6pm, Sunday 8th December, 2024

Broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 at 6pm on Friday 27th December 2024

The Abbey Theatre has today announced details of Spreading the News, a special event to mark 120 years of the National Theatre of Ireland, taking place on the Abbey Stage at 6pm on Sunday, 8th December. Presented in partnership with RTÉ, the event will be recorded in front of a live audience and broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 at 6pm on Friday, 27th December, 120 years to the day since the theatre opened in 1904.

A number of tickets go on general sale today for this celebratory event and can be purchased through www.abbeytheatre.ie or in person at the theatre.

The event is named after the play of the same name, written by Abbey Theatre co-founder Lady Gregory, and performed on the opening night of the theatre.

“that freedom of experiment … without which no new movement in art or literature can succeed” – Abbey Theatre founding manifesto

Spreading the News will celebrate and honour the founding notion that the Abbey Theatre was established as an experiment, a fundamental idea that continues to inform the work of the theatre today.

The event will be led by a company of well-known Irish artists who have performed in the theatre over the years. They will play a range of scripts, characters and speeches, embracing the groundbreaking stories, work and performances that have been at the heart of the National Theatre of Ireland since its foundation, and will be accompanied by live music.

Mindful of the Abbey Theatre’s rich history while being boldly forward looking, Spreading the News will interrogate ideas of breaking and rebuilding, the need for a national theatre yesterday and today and look at how audiences and artists converse through the artform.

Commenting, Co-Directors of the Abbey Theatre, Artistic Director Caitríona McLaughlin and Executive Director Mark O’Brien, said: “Experiments have unknown outcomes, they can confuse, confound or outrage. They can prove or disprove hypotheses, raise questions and shake whole worldviews. This spirit of experimentation brought about the formation of the Abbey in 1904, and it is alive and well in 2024.

“Through words, performance and music, Spreading the News is an opportunity to reflect on this legacy of experimentation and possibility. We are grateful for the partnership of RTÉ to capture this moment in time and to ensure it is shared with as wide an audience as possible.”

Clíodhna Ní Anluain, RTÉ Arts and Culture producer for Spreading the News added: “RTÉ is delighted to partner with the Abbey Theatre in jointly presenting this live event on the Abbey Stage and as a sound experience for our audience on RTÉ Radio 1. RTÉ recognises and salutes the achievement of this milestone for our National Theatre, as the centenary of Irish broadcasting approaches. Our two cultural institutions capture, challenge and celebrate Irish life at home and internationally, as well as bringing international experience and expression to our audiences.

“Central to RTÉ are partnerships to attract the broadest audience, while supporting and fostering the brilliant range and diversity of Irish creative and performing artists. Lady Gregory was someone of unfailing determination, who pushed boundaries and experimented, so that we could know ourselves better. Like RTÉ, she recognised the power of the local to tell universal stories, embracing language, voices and experiences and putting them literally centre stage. We look forward to developing this important partnership with the Abbey Theatre into the future.”

For more information, visit www.abbeytheatre.ie.

Media contacts

Abbey Theatre: Stephen Moloney, Communications Manager, Abbey Theatre | stephen.moloney@abbeytheatre.ie

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

About the Abbey Theatre

As Ireland’s national theatre, the Abbey Theatre’s ambition is to enrich the cultural lives of everyone with a curiosity for and interest in Irish theatre, stories, artists and culture. Courage and imagination are at the heart of our storytelling, while inclusivity, diversity and equality are at the core of our thinking. Led by Co-Director’s Caitríona McLaughlin (Artistic Director) and Mark O’Brien (Executive Director), the Abbey Theatre celebrates both the rich canon of Irish dramatic writing and the potential of future generations of Irish theatre artists.

Ireland has a rich history of theatre and playwriting and extraordinary actors, designers and directors. Artists are at the heart of our organisation, with Marina Carr and Conor McPherson as Senior Associate Playwrights and Caroline Byrne as Associate Director.  The Abbey Theatre Resident Directors are Esosa Ighodaro, John King, Lianne O’Shea and James Riordan.

Our stories teach us what it is to belong, what it is to be excluded and to exclude. Artistically our programme is built on twin impulses, and around two questions: “who we were, and who are we now?” We interrogate our classical canon with an urgency about what makes it speak to this moment. On our stages we find and champion new voices and new ways of seeing, our purpose – to identify combinations of characters we are yet to meet, having conversations we are yet to hear.

About RTÉ

RTÉ (Raidió Teilifís Éireann) is Ireland’s national public service media organisation, providing comprehensive, cost-effective, free-to-air television, radio and online services to the public in Ireland and to audiences internationally.

RTÉ services are impartial in accordance with statutory obligations. At its heart, RTÉ is a creative organisation, making and commissioning a broad range of high-quality programmes and content for audiences of all ages, in English and in Irish. RTÉ airs the vast majority of the top 50 television programmes broadcast by any channel available in Ireland every year.

RTÉ’s television services are RTÉ One, RTÉ One+1, RTÉ2, RTÉ2+1, RTÉjr and the RTÉ News channel., while RTÉ also operates four primary Radio stations – RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ lyric fm and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, RTE’s range of digital services, includes the number 1 news and entertainment website in Ireland – RTE.ie, RTÉ Radio Player and RTÉ  Player, which had a record year in 2023 with over 105 million streams. RTÉ Player is also a go-to on demand destinations for top-class Irish content for kids, alongside RTÉ’s two curated YouTube channels, RTÉjr and RTÉ Kids and award-winning RTÉjr Podcasts on rte.ie. RTÉ is currently developing new RTÉ Audio and RTE News Apps.

RTÉ Archives maintains a collection of audiovisual recordings, photographs and documents relating to RTÉ output from 1926 to the present day on behalf of the nation.

In 2023, there were over 3.45 million visits to the specially curated RTÉ Archives website for the public to explore a wide range of content and subject matter from a record of Irish life captured by RTÉ radio and television.

The ever-popular RTÉ Concert Orchestra has since 1948 brought a wide repertoire of music to new audiences and supported national and international artists through live, broadcast and recorded performances and regularly performs a wide range of material to audiences in venues and locations across the country.

Saorview, Ireland’s first free-to-air digital television service, is owned and managed by RTÉ, and includes RTÉ’s television and fm radio services.

The Abbey Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of

The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon

The Department for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Paul Mescal, Adam Clayton and Graham Norton among the guests on this Friday’s Late Late Show
With music from Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh and Altan

Here is your host, Patrick Kielty!

In his first sit down Irish television interview, BAFTA award winning actor Paul Mescal will chat about his giant blockbuster Gladiator II. Paul will chat to Patrick about working with director Ridley Scott, his friendship with Saoirse Ronan and their appearance on The Graham Norton Show and coming home to his family.

U2 bassist and global rock superstar Adam Clayton will be live in studio this Friday to talk about Ballroom Blitz, his documentary about the Irish showband scene of the 60s and 70s and how it’s in his blood; the Las Vegas Sphere and their 40-day residency, as well as sharing exciting news of previously unheard U2 tracks.

Graham Norton will be chatting about the inspiration for his fifth bestselling novel, Frankie; the ‘one – chat show guest – that got away’ early in his career; and why he decided to get his weekends back by leaving his long running radio show.

Keeping with the theme of Cork people doing great things, Samantha Barry is coming home to Ireland and will join Patrick to chat about her new role as Glamour magazine’s first Global Editorial Director, life in New York post US Presidential elections and dancing with Beyonce at the recent Glamour Women of the Year Awards.

Comedian, actor and writer Brendan O’Carroll is home from Florida and will be chatting to Patrick about his hit series, Mrs. Brown’s Boy’s, which returns to our screens this Christmas. He’ll also chat about his live show, The Musical for Moore Street, which tours Ireland in the coming weeks.

Irish folk music band from Donegal and led by Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh, Altan, will be taking care of the music on Friday night. Ahead of tour dates around Ireland, Altan will perform a set of reels to get viewers hands clicking and toes tapping.

The Late Late Show is proudly sponsored by PTSB.

-ENDS-

14 November 2024

Press Officer: Jilly McDonough

Notes to Editor:
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

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”. 

—————————-

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

—————————-

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

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

—————————-

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:
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