The Watchlist

From the Brendan O'Connor archives, revisit the interview with the Oscar-winning songwriter and The Frames frontman who died on Wednesday, 29th July 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fionnuala Jones, Pop Culture Journalist and podcaster and Michael Doherty, RTÉ Guide Film Editor join Dearbhail to preview the latest T.V. and cinema releases including Furious on Disney+, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, on HBO, and In the Opinion of the Censor, on RTÉ One.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian, actor, podcaster and writer Shane Daniel Byrne talks about his life and career through the prism of five songs’. He also speaks about growing up in an all-brother household, holidaying in Wexford, discovering youth theatre, coming out as gay and life totally changing when he became a stand-up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glamping... wild camping... camper-vaning... With hotel prices going through the roof, Matthew McConnell, Editor at Outsider.ie, talked to Dearbhail about affordable alternatives in the camping world, and gave tips for the inexperienced.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining Dearbhail to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Caoilfhionn Gallagher, Barrister and International Human Rights Lawyer; Cuan Ó Seireadáin, Political Correspondent, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta; Emma Howard, Senior Lecturer in Economics in TU Dublin and Dan Mulhall, Former Ambassador to the US.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paramedic and Community Engagement Manager of the National Ambulance Service, Ger O’Dea, explains the anatomy of a car crash. What happens from the minute they get a 999 call, the roadside care they can offer, why e-scooter crashes are a daily occurrence now and why he says ‘crashes’ instead of ‘accidents’. He issues a road safety appeal ahead of the bank holiday weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian and actor Pat Shortt makes his Abbey Theatre debut in ‘Animals’ this September, based on Blindboy Boatclub’s short stories and adapted and directed by Dan Colley. He tells Dearbhail about trying to stage an “unstageable play”, his 40 years in Limerick, why hurling managers are ripe for humour and his recent month-long motorbike trip across Europe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chef Domini Kemp has tips and recipes for making beautiful potato salads and coleslaws this summer, including Asian Slaw and Green Goddess Slaw. Her recipe twists include using pickles and capers and she has alternatives for people who may be a bit mayonnaise-averse!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Meagher, Music Critic and Irish Independent Senior Features Writer, explains why ‘Graceland’ was such a groundbreaking album. Simon felt he needed a change of direction in the 1980s so starting experimenting with African rhythms and township music, journeying to South Africa and making ‘Graceland’ which went onto sell 40 million copies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would a united Ireland look like? And could the island end up stumbling into unity, without doing the necessary thinking and preparatory groundwork? Those are questions explored by film makers, Alan Gilsenan and John Walsh, in their film 'The Irish Question' which airs on Wednesday, July 29th on RTE 1 and on the RTE Player.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.