Susan McKay

Des's Island Discs is a programme grown from the Covid lockdown - a kind of escape during difficult times. The final guest to the island is Public Health Nurse Maria Burke who represents all the frontline workers still working day and night to keep us safe during the Covid crisis.

Lead singer of Aslan, Christy Dignam joins Des on the island via a shaky Skype call, and talks about his early musical influences, his father's hands, and his struggles with addiction.

Irish singing great Mary Coughlan joins Des on the island to talk through her musical memories, her love of Billie Holiday, and how the Covid crisis has impacted her touring but given her a bit more time at home with the family.

On Des's Island Discs today former president of DCU Brian MacCraith talks through his musical memories including his preferred Van Morrison version of Raglan Road, his son's successful Tom Morello Make a Wish, and a final thanks in the form of Kodaline's I Wouldn't Be.

Former master of the National Maternity Hopsital Dr Rhona Mahony is Des's guest on the Island today, sharing her musical memories Rhona talks bout slow dancing to Stairway to Heaven, maintaining high hopes in a high pressured job, and her family's love of Liverpool Football Club.

Writer. artist, activist and Dublin City Councillor Mannix Flynn visits Des on the island. Mannix talks about the impact of institutional abuse on his life, his battle with alcohol, and how radio and music gave him a view of the world outside.

TV chef and food author Catherine Fulvio takes Des through her musical and cooking memories on her visit to the island including listening to a Chinese ABBA band, and having her son help out as a cameraman for her latest online cooking videos.

Award winning author John Boyne joins Des on the Island to talk through his musical memories, his love for Kate Bush (she once touched his hand!), how he thinks Sinead O'Connor is maybe Ireland's greatest vocalist and how he enjoys playing Elton John songs on the piano.

Journalist, author and broadcaster Susan McKay shares her musical memories and chats with Des on the Island about growing up in Derry during the Troubles, how she couldn't wait to leave, but quickly found herself returning to help set up the Belfast Rape Crisis Centre.

RTÉ's Washington correspondent Brian O'Donovan is today's visitor to Des's Island Discs and walks Des through his musical memories, how his music choices are heavily influenced by his parents, and what his social life is like for himself and his family in Washington DC.