Aishah Akorede revealed as the first celebrity contestant for Dancing with the Stars 2025 

Legal eagle, beauty queen Aishah prepares to pirouette across the dancefloor! 

Model and former Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede has been revealed as the first celebrity who will take to the dancefloor for the eighth series of Dancing with the Stars. The popular series returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player in January 2025.

Aishah was crowned Miss Universe Ireland in 2023 and holds a Master of Laws in International Corporate Governance from Queen’s University, Belfast. She is currently pursuing a qualification in Chartered Governance.

On joining the cast of Dancing with the Stars, Aishah commented: “I’m mostly excited about learning how to dance like a ballroom dancer, to be honest. I did a little bit of ballet growing up, but it’s nothing compared to any of this… I did ballet from the age of four to fifteen, but I had to stop. I’m like a footballer that just never got to go professional because of a knee injury. But during the pandemic, I ended up going back to ballet at the age of 24. I’m 25 now and I’m the old lady in the class, which is crazy to say that a 25-year-old is an old lady!” 

She continued: “I’m not a very competitive person, and people always think that girls in pageantry are really competitive. Everything I do in life, I kind of do with no expectations and with the aim of just enjoying the experience and whatever comes out of it. So hopefully I do come out on top, but even if I don’t, I’ll just genuinely be so grateful for the opportunity.” 

Aishah is no stranger to television. In 2022 she appeared in and won the Discovery+ series, Beauty and the Geek UK alongside her ‘geek’-teammate, Martin.

Following her Miss Universe Ireland win, Aishah founded ‘Recrowned Ireland’, a non-profit social justice initiative that strives to make a lasting impact on key societal concerns. The organisation aims to create a safe space for women in Ireland who have suffered various forms of abuse, to feel comfortable, confident and aware.

Dancing with the Stars will be hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy again this season. The two-time Dancing with the Stars winner and professional dancer Karen Byrne will join the judging panel in 2025 alongside longstanding judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.

Aishah will be live in studio on Monday morning on 2FM’s The Laura Fox Show at 10.30am on Monday December 9th. The ten remaining celebrity contestants joining the new series of Dancing with the Stars will be announced each day this week.

-ENDS-     

Date: Monday December 9th 2024 

Photography credit: Barry McCall

RTÉ Communications: Rayna Connery and Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill

Notes to Editor:  

ABOUT DANCING WITH THE STARS 2025   

Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RTÉ One series sees 11 well-known figures team up with a professional dancer to perform a live routine every week. Each pairing will have a different dancing genre to master every week, from the Charleston to hip hop, and they’ll have just seven days to perfect their routine before performing live to the nation.

Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges and the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.

Dancing with the Stars  is produced by ShinAwiL for RTÉ.

Dancing with the Stars is proudly sponsored by Hyundai.

For all the latest news and backstage gossip on Dancing with the Stars, keep an eye on our social channels:

Instagram: @RTEOne & @DWTSIrl

TikTok: @RTEOne

Facebook: @RTEOne

Twitter: @RTEOne @DWTSIrl

#DWTSIrl

Dancing with the Stars welcomes a new judge for 2025
 
Two-time Dancing with the Stars winner Karen Byrne to join the Dancing with the Stars judging panel in January

RTÉ announced today that the two-time Dancing with the Stars winner and professional dancer Karen Byrne will join the judging panel in 2025 alongside longstanding judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.

Returning once again to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player in January 2025, Dancing with the Stars promises to bring glitter, glamour and dazzling performances to audiences in the new year.

Karen is a celebrated Ballroom and Latin dancer from Ballyfermot, best known for her standout performances on Dancing with the Stars, Karen featured as a pro dancer for seven seasons. She is a two-time winner of the coveted glitterball trophy, most recently in 2024 with Paralympian Jason Smyth and in 2018 with singer Jake Carter. Karen has represented Ireland at international dance competitions, teaches at her own studio in Inchicore and has a weekly podcast The Carter Couch with her partner Jake Carter and his brother Nathan – and occasionally Lenny the Cavapoo dog getting in on the action too!

Karen Byrne said, “I am absolutely delighted to join the judges panel for my eighth season of Dancing with the Stars. Having been lucky enough to win it twice and working with all my incredible dance partners, it will feel strange sitting on the other side of the desk. I can’t believe it – I have to pinch myself! It doesn’t feel real – I don’t think it will feel real until I sit in the chair. I’ve always looked at the judges seats and thought that must be the best seat in the house. Oh my god I get to hold a paddle! 

The DWTS journey is the best, this show is in my veins – I absolutely love it. I feel so honoured to now be on the judges panel with the fabulous Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian. Let the madness commence… please can it be January already?”

Head judge Loraine Barry commented: “I’m thrilled to be heading into season eight of DWTS Ireland especially as we welcome the two-time champion Miss Karen Byrne to the judging panel. Karen is fresh off the dance floor into the judging seat and I look forward to working with her.”

Arthur Gourounlian commented: “I am over the moon to be returning for my fourth season of Dancing with the Stars! The thought of reuniting with this amazing DWTS family, sharing unforgettable moments, and diving into all the excitement we have in store fills me with so much joy. And what can I say about the incredible Karen? After watching her grace the dance floor with pure magic for three seasons, I’m beyond thrilled to now share the judging panel with her. It’s going to be absolutely electrifying! Now, let’s be honest… the biggest question of the season might just be: who’s going to win the battle of the biggest hair? Stay tuned. It’s going to be an unforgettable ride.”

Brian Redmond added: “I’m delighted to be back on the judging panel for Dancing with the Stars 2025. I’m chuffed that Karen will be joining us on the judging panel this year after winning two glitterballs and seven seasons on the show, I think she’s earned her place. I’m sure she’ll challenge me, and maybe I’ll challenge her, but it all makes for great excitement ahead of the new year. I can’t wait to welcome Karen along to become the first fourth judge on Dancing with Stars. Roll on the new year!”

Dancing with the Stars will be hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy again this season.

The first celebrity taking to the dance floor for the brand-new season of Dancing with the Stars will be announced on Monday December 9th.

-ENDS-    

Date: Friday December 6th 2024

RTÉ Communications:  
Rayna Connery and Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill

About Dancing with the Stars 2025 

Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RTÉ One series sees 11 well-known figures team up with a professional dancer to perform a live routine every week. Each pairing will have a different dancing genre to master every week, from the Charleston to hip hop, and they’ll have just seven days to perfect their routine before performing live to the nation.

Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges and the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.

Dancing with the Stars is produced by ShinAwiL for RTÉ.

Dancing with the Stars is proudly sponsored by Hyundai.

For all the latest news and backstage gossip on Dancing with the Stars, keep an eye on our social channels:

Instagram: @RTEOne & @DWTSIrl

TikTok: @RTEOne

Facebook: @RTEOne

Twitter: @RTEOne @DWTSIrl

#DWTSIrl

Tá clár nua cúrsaí reatha i nGaeilge ag tosnú ar RTÉ One – Fóram

Forám – New current affairs programme in Irish on RTÉ One

Begins this Sunday, 8 December

Fóram – RTÉ ONE – Dé Domhnaigh 10:30am (ag tosnú an 8 Nollaig)

Tá Dáil nua ar na bacáin agus tá clár nua cúrsaí reatha i nGaeilge ag tosnú ar RTÉ freisin – Fóram, curtha i láthair ag Caoimhe Ní Laighin. Cén chomhdhéanamh a bheidh ar an Rialtas, nua agus cén srian a chuirfidh na dúshláin idirnáisiúnta airgeadais agus polaitíochta ar an Rialtas seo? Beidh Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fáil), Mairéad Farrell (Sinn Féin0 agus Barry Ward (Fine Gael) i measc na n-aíoanna a thabharfaidh aghaidh ar na ceisteanna seo, Dé Domhnaigh ag 10:30am ar RTÉ One.

Fóram – RTÉ ONE – Sunday 10:30am (Starting on December 8th)

A new Dáil is on the horizon and so too is a new current affairs programme in Irish on RTÉ, presented by journalist Caoimhe Ní Laighin. What shape will the new Government take, and how will global financial and political challenges limit what it can achieve? Among the panellists to tackle these topics will be Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fáil), Mairéad Farrell (Sinn Féin) and Barry Ward (Fine Gael), all recently returned to Leinster House. Fóram, 10:30am Sunday on RTÉ One.

Presenter Bio: Caoimhe Ní Laighin

Tá Caoimhe ag obair mar iriseoir Ilmheán le Nuacht RTÉ agus Nuacht TG4 le sé bliana déag anuas, agus is beag ábhar sa bhaile nó thar lear nach bhfuil tuairisiú déanta aici air, polaitíocht, eacnamaíocht, athrú aeráide, sochaí agus cultúr. tuairisciú ar scéalta polaitíochta, eacnamaíochta, teicneolaíochta, sóisialta agus cultúir. Le gairid is í Caoimhe a chuir i láthair na cláir sa tsraith Scannal faoi bhás Savita Halappanavar.

Caoimhe has been working as a multimedia journalist with Nuacht RTÉ and Nuacht TG4 for sixteen years, and has covered a wide range of topics at home and abroad from politics, economy, climate change, technology, society and culture. Caoimhe recently presented the two-part Scannal series reviewing the death of Savita Halappanavar in Galway in 2012.

-ENDS-

RTÉ Communications, RTÉ News & Current Affairs : Laura Fitzgerald

32 children will represent their county in the Toy Show Parade
Tune in tonight at 9:35PM on RTÉ One and worldwide on RTÉ Player

#LateLateToyShow

It’s Toy Show Day and the final day of a week of Christmas programming announcements in which the theme of this year’s Late Late Toy Show has been revealed as Christmas movie favourite Home Alone!

Make sure you’re not on a flight to Paris shouting ‘Kevin!’ this Friday night and join Patrick Kielty and a host of little Kevin McCallisters and Wet Bandits as they come together to protect the McCallister home! Run, Run Rudolph, this is the most magical time of the year and the best night to bring your family together for ‘eating junk and watching The Late Late Toy Show’ – and no one is going to stop you!

In true ‘I made my family disappear’ style, there’ll be plenty of mischief with staircase sliding, snowball throwing, Wicked performances, and lots of rocking around the Christmas tree.  This year’s Late Late Toy Show, with all 250 toy testers and performers, promises to be a night of surprises that will warm your heart and take you out of this world making wishes come true.

Speaking ahead of tonight Patrick Kielty said, “I am so excited to be bringing Home Alone to all the kids of Ireland tonight. It’s the dream movie theme for me, when I walked out onto the set earlier this week it brought a tiny tear to my eye. The big kids are going to love the nostalgia around it. Take a nap before we get started, because tonight is going to epic!”

A stunning set created by RTÉ production designers will take the big kids among us back in time to Kevin’s kitchen, his sitting room, the treehouse and not forgetting Buzz’s bedroom; The Late Late Toy Show will be giving nineties nostalgia. There will be surprises revealed all throughout the night as we also mark the fifth year of the Toy Show Appeal; more than 1.1 million children, young people and their families in every county on the island of Ireland have been impacted by this funding.

A first for The Late Late Toy Show, kids from every county in Ireland will take to the studio floor to show their pride for their county in the Toy Show County Parade! Expect swirling and twirling, gymnastics and pageantry, Marshal Kielty will attempt to keep all 32 kids in their line!

In fashions Kate McCallister would be proud of, the RTÉ Costume and Make-Up Departments have been working diligently to create the world of this Chicago Christmas wonderland while children from all across Ireland will be entertaining audiences on Friday night with the games they’ve been playing such as the Beyblade X Xtreme Battle Set, Hot Wheels Monster Truck Epic Loop Bundle, and the cute and cuddlies FurReal Peanut the Playful Monkey and Real FX Disney Stitch Puppet Interactive Toy.

The much-loved book section of the show will see our readers sharing mythologies and histories; reviewing The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers, The Story of Irish Rugby by Gerard Siggins and Nina Peanut: Mega Mystery Solver by Sarah Bowie.

Irish toys they’ve been playing and creating with include Stomp Rockets and an Irish Bracelet Weaving set to name a few. A list of the toys featured will be available on the show’s website rte.ie/lifestyle following the broadcast. All toys featured on the night will be donated to charities.

RTÉ Player

Stream Free Worldwide  
In 2023, a global audience from 158 countries tuned in to watch The Late Late Toy Show on RTÉ Player, with viewers from London to New York, Toronto, Madrid, Amsterdam, Berlin, Sydney and Auckland.

Stream The Late Late Toy Show tonight on RTÉ Player at 9:35pm and catch-up or rewatch on demand.

Subscribe to The Late Late Show YouTube channel for all of the best bits.

RTÉ Social Channels

Catch all the excitement from behind the scenes on the official social channels. RTÉ 2FM’s Taran & Aindriú will host a 30-minute TikTok Live at 6.30pm on Friday, with AAA passes! They’ll catch up with Patrick backstage, bring you on a tour of the set and meet the people who bring the greatest night of the year to life.

The official hashtag is #LateLateToyShow. You can follow the Late Late Show accounts right now to make sure you don’t miss a single second of the greatest TV night of the year – @latelaterte on TikTok @latelaterte on Instagram, @RTELateLateShow on X and @TheLateLateShow on Facebook.

ISL
The Late Late Toy Show with Irish Sign Language (ISL) will broadcast live on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player.  For the second year, our ISL coverage will feature Deaf presenters, Sarah-Jane O’Regan and Jason Maguire – working with hearing interpreters, Ciara Grant and Lisa Harvey-Coleman. The Late Late Toy Show ISL is a real celebration of Irish Sign Language, Ireland’s third official language!  The Late Late Toy Sow ISL will be available to stream shortly after the live broadcast and will be repeated in the ISL block on Wednesday, 11th December.

Audio Description
Audio Description (AD) will also be available for the repeat show on Sunday 8th December at 15.05 on RTÉ One, and on Monday night at 24:05 and afterwards on RTÉ Player.  Audio Describers this year will be Clara Murray and Berni Stack.

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal 
Working in collaboration with Community Foundation Ireland, the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal is back for its fifth year to improve the lives of children and their families by funding essential support, health, wellbeing, play, and creativity initiatives. It has so far raised an astonishing €21.3m and has provided support to 302 different charities and given 492 grants over that time. It supported 127 different children’s charities last year alone and is estimated to have helped over 1.1 million annually since its inception.

The public can donate by going to www.rte.ie/toyshowappeal, or with the appeal’s official donation partner Revolut Pay.

The Late Late Toy Show airs tonight on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 9:35PM.

-ENDS-

6 December 2024

Photography: Google Drive [Credit Andres Poveda Photography]

Further Information: Jilly McDonough Press Officer | jilly.mcdonough@rte.ie

Notes to Editor:
The Late Late Show is proudly sponsored by PTSB.

ISL:
Sarah-Jane O’Regan works on RTÉ’s ISL News & Weather team.  Sarah-Jane is a qualified Deaf Interpreter (DI) and has also provided ISL for several arena concerts, including P!nk, Taylor Swift and Coldplay!  She’s also signed at Electric Picnic! Sarah-Jane is a teacher at the Holy Family School for the Deaf.

Jason Maguire, a seasoned Deaf Interpreter with years of experience in TV settings, works as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) at Holy Family For The Deaf. Jason’s expertise in Deaf culture and language, combined with his passion for supporting students, has made him a key member of the team. 2024 will be Jason’s third year working with The Late Late Toy Show ISL!

Ciara Grant is an experienced ISL interpreter, comfortable and well-experienced in a studio environment. Ciara is one of the ISL interpreters working in the Broadcasting Unit of the Houses of the Oireachtas.  She is currently undertaking postgraduate studies in Multilingual Sign Language Translation and Interpreting. This will be Ciara’s third year to work on The Late Late Toy Show ISL!

Lisa Harvey-Coleman is an experienced ISL interpreter. She has provided interpretation for many different events, including high profile and performance interpreting. Lisa has recently been part of a team of interpreters bringing access to concerts and festivals such as Taylor Swift, Coldplay & Electric Picnic.

Audio Description:

Berni Stack joined RTÉ’s audio description team three years ago and is delighted to be involved in this year’s Late Late Toy Show! She has worked across all genres from documentary to feature film and loves describing for younger audiences. Her most recent project for RTE Jr was the animated series Doodle Girl.

Clara Murray: You will know Clara from Bright Sparks on RTÉ Jr! Clara was RTÉ’s first Audio Describer and has AD’d lots of your favourite shows from RTÉ Jr, in addition to movies and drama series. Clara also works on RTÉjr Radio! She can’t wait to be part of The Late Late Toy Show AD team again this year.

About Community Foundation Ireland
Since 2000 Community Foundation Ireland has awarded over €140 million in grants. Community Foundation Ireland is a registered charity, (Registered Charity Number: 20044886) and is committed to the highest standards of trust and governance. Community Foundation Ireland and its partners believe in equality for all in thriving communities. They work with individuals, families, corporates and other trusts and foundations as well as Government to translate giving in the moment to giving that is strategic, sustainable and impactful.

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

RTÉ celebrates sport with exciting line up this Christmas season   

Celebrate 2024’s top Irish sporting stars with RTÉ Sport Awards live from RTÉ Studios on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player 

A packed live sporting schedule including Investec Champions Cup, Racing from Leopardstown and Champions League Live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1 

Marty Morrissey presents the All-Ireland Quiz on RTÉ Radio 1  

Documentaries paying tribute to Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, celebrating Steve Collins’ One Night in Millstreet and What Daire Did Next featuring Jürgen Klopp 

There’s a double-header of live Investec Champions Cup action on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1 this Christmas with Munster taking on Stade Francais in Thomond Park this Saturday 7th December, KO 5.30pm while on Saturday 14 December Leinster face Clermont Auvergne at the Aviva Stadium Clare MacNamara will be alongside Fiona Coghlan Jamie Heaslip for these crucial Champions Cup games on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player with Michael Corcoran on commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.

URC Live 

The feast of festive Rugby continues with the Interpros taking centre stage in the URC. Leinster face Connacht at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 21 December and Connacht take on Ulster on Saturday 28 December. Clare MacNamara will be joined by Bernard Jackman, Jamie Heaslip and Darren Cave as the Irish provinces go head-to-head in the traditional Christmas inter-provincial games with Michael Corcoran on radio commentary.

The RTÉ Sport Awards 2024  

Joanne Cantwell, Darragh Maloney and Jacqui Hurley present the RTÉ Sport Awards 2024 on Sunday 15 December on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. After a stellar year for Irish sport, the stars gather in Studio 4 in RTÉ to celebrate the achievements of Irish sportsmen and women this year. The Awards being handed out on the night include RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year, RTÉ Sport Team of the Year, RTÉ Sport Manager of the Year and RTÉ Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year. The nominees for this year’s RTÉ Sport Young Sportsperson of the Year will be announced today, Thursday 5 December by Jacqui Hurley, live on news2day – RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player at 4.20pm.

Racing from Leopardstown 

The festive tradition that is the Leopardstown Christmas Festival begins on St Stephen’s Day with four days of action live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1. Hugh Cahill, Jane Mangan, Ruby Walsh, Barry Geraghty and Lisa O’Neill alongside reporters Brian Gleeson and Katie Walsh will bring viewers all the action from one of the highlights of Christmas.

Champions League Live  

The UEFA Champions League continues live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player with Darragh Maloney presenting coverage of Juventus v Manchester City alongside Stephen Kelly on match day 6, Wednesday December 11.

Inspiring Stories  

What Daire Did Next  

Heart-warming documentary following Irish Liverpool fan Daire Gorman (12) after his meeting with Jurgen Klopp in December 2023 went viral last Christmas. In this documentary, Liverpool fan Daire Gorman, who made headlines last Christmas after a visit to Anfield, takes us into his extraordinary world during a whirlwind six months. Over the duration of the documentary Daire says goodbye to primary school, competes in an international powerchair football tournament in Paris, gets fitted with a state-of-the-art robotic arm, undergoes challenging surgery and becomes a teenager – all while coming to terms with the news that his hero Jürgen Klopp is stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season. Watch on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, Sunday 29 December

Cloch le Carn, MICHEÁL 

An intimate portrait about the GAA legend whose energy for life was there for all of his 93 years. Dlúth-léargas ar shaol laoich an CLG, nár chaill a mhisneach riamh le linn an 93 bliain a bhí sé ar an bhfód.  How do you create a portrait of a man who for 93 years never stopped, getting the most he could out of every day. Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh was the voice of the nation, the king of commentators, who travelled the world promoting the game he loved. But he was also a family man who took his 8 kids and his loving wife Helena along for the rollercoaster ride that was his life. Watch on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on New Year’s Eve.

One Night in Millstreet 

The story of Ireland in 1995, a snapshot of a country told through a high stakes prize fight in Millstreet, Cork between the then unknown underdog Steve ‘The Celtic Warrior’ Collins and the larger-than-life champion Chris ‘Simply the Best’ Eubank. Featuring interviews with Steve Collins and Chris Eubank, along with Irish boxing legend Barry McGuigan, Chris Eubank’s former manager Barry Hearn, writer Paul Howard, and Tony Quinn, Steve Collin’s Mind Trainer, the film conjures a time and place when the country was undergoing enormous social and economic change.

On the Radio 

Jacqui in Paris  

Jacqui in Paris delves in to Jacqui Hurley’s summer diary and the story of Ireland’s memorable haul of seven medals over the course of a week at the 2024 Olympic Games. With Kellie Harrington, Rhys McClenaghan and Daniel Wiffen among those who made it a great summer for Irish sport, Jacqui in Paris takes listeners on a journey through Paris, recounting her experience of a magical summer. Listen in on RTÉ Radio 1, Friday, December 27 at 4pm.

The All-Ireland Quiz  

On St Stephen’s Day at 5pm Marty Morrissey hosts an all-star panel of pundits as hurlers take on footballers in a festive GAA sporting quiz on RTÉ Radio 1.

Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 will bring listeners live commentaries, news and sporting reviews over the Christmas period.

For more information contact:  

Fergus McCormack, RTÉ Communications, fergus.mccormack@rte.ie.
Maureen Catterson, RTÉ Communications Manager, maureen.catterson@rte.ie

10 Irish television network premieres on RTÉ this Christmas
Over 150 movies available to stream on RTÉ Player

In the third day of a week of Christmas programming announcements, get ready to nestle up on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn for an exciting lineup of movies across RTÉ to enjoy over the festive period. Throughout Christmas, RTÉ will air 10 Irish television premieres across RTÉ One, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player including That They May Face the Rising Sun, Top Gun: Maverick and Soul. RTÉ Player will stream over 150 new and classic movies including Irish feature films So This is Christmas, Who We Love and Lies We Tell.  From festive favourites to new releases, there is something for all the family!

10 Irish television premieres

RTÉ is thrilled to announce an incredible lineup of critically acclaimed and beloved films, airing for the first time on Irish television. Prepare for some entertaining movie nights – from breathtaking action to heartfelt drama and animated releases.

Fresh from cinema screens, That They May Face the Rising Sun is among the movies premiering on Irish television this Christmas. Adapted from John McGahern’s celebrated novel, Joe and Kate Ruttledge leave London to live and work in a small lakeside community in Ireland.

The Crawley family and their entourage head to southern France in Downton Abbey: A New Era, when the Dowager Countess becomes heir to a villa.

Another recent release available on RTÉ this Christmas, Where the Crawdads Sing tells the story of Catherine, abandoned by her family at a tender age, she attempts to fend for herself.

Feel the need for speed? Maverick trains a group of elite Top Gun graduates to prepare for a high-profile mission in Top Gun: Maverick. 

Dinosaurs and humans collide in Jurassic World Dominion pushing humankind to its limits as it faces a new era where both species fight to survive in a shared world.

Spider-Man seeks the help of Doctor Strange to forget his exposed secret identity as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

For those looking for an action-packed comedy, tune into The Lost City where a romance novelist Loretta Sage is kidnapped by a billionaire seeking a hidden treasure.

Also premiering on Irish television this Christmas are family favourites bound to captivate young audiences. Viewers meet Joe a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is jazz in Soul, before discovering the untold story of Gru, a 12-year-old with big dreams in Minions 2: The Rise of Gru. Helen sets off on a mission to restore public faith in superheroes Incredibles 2.  

Blockbusters 

RTÉ also announces a spectacular lineup of blockbuster hits to keep everyone entertained. Relive the thrilling adventures of Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull  or dive into the world of espionage with Bond classics including No Time to Die, Casino Royale and Skyfall. Get your heart racing with the action-packed holiday favourite Die Hard 2.

Enjoy family fun with animated gems like Finding Dory, Paddington and Toy Story 3. Or perhaps it’s time to rewatch old classics such as Casablanca or The Graduate, also available on RTÉ this Christmas.

Christmas Classics 

RTÉ brings a selection of Christmas classics to ignite the festive spirit. Enjoy the magic of White Christmas and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, fun-filled films perfect for all ages. Relive the timeless tale It’s a Wonderful Life, while Jack Frost delivers a touching story of family and second chances. For a hilarious holiday adventure, Jingle All the Way follows a father’s frantic quest to find the perfect Christmas gift. For the season romantics, Christmas at Maple Creek and Christmas Setup are the flicks for you.

RTÉ Player 

Not available to tune in live? Why not catch up on RTÉ Player where movies will be available to stream following television broadcast.  And if that’s not enough, a mix of Irish films and feature documentaries such as Brooklyn, Intermission, So This is Christmas, Who We Love, Lies We Tell and much more are also available on RTÉ Player.

For a detailed schedule and more titles to be announced, you can explore RTÉ’s Christmas content listing which will be available in the coming days.

-ENDS- 

For more information: 

Caoilinn Putti, RTÉ Press Officer | Caoilinn.putti@rte.ie
Maureen Catterson, RTÉ Communications Manager, TV, Radio and Online | maureen.catterson@rte.ie