Joseph O’Connor - “Even Christmas in New York couldn’t match an Irish Christmas”

Booker Prize-winning writer, John Banville, screen and stage actor, Clelia Murphy and former Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar joined Brendan with books, old and new, that they would gift someone this Christmas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aoife Carrigy, Food and Drink writer and columnist with The Irish Independent, talks us through the cocktails that will heat us this winter including tips for the ultimate hot whiskey, Irish coffee and mulled wine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian and broadcaster Tommy Tiernan told Brendan about his mixed feelings around Christmas, his Christmas rituals, learning to sing for an upcoming musical and the 10th series of The Tommy Tiernan Show returning in the new year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Adele King, AKA Twink, told Brendan about the devastation she is feeling over the death of her parrot and panto co-star, ‘Timby’, after 26 years together. She also talked about her love for the rest of her pets, including a magpie who lives in her house.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Joseph O’Connor won the An Post Irish Book of the Year this week for ‘Ghosts of Rome’. He joined Brendan to talk about his delight and gratitude, moving home to Ireland on Christmas week 25 years ago and he also read a Christmas-themed poem, ‘Solstice at Newgrange’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broadcaster Aifric O’Connell tells Brendan about some of the best live music and comedy gigs in Ireland next year, to help anyone putting tickets on their Christmas list.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Podcaster and writer, Blindboy talks Brendan through the soundtrack to his life, including songs by Stevie Wonder, Randy Newman and Gil Scott-Heron.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writer Henrietta McKervey and host of the ‘Here and Back Again’ podcast, Dave O’Callaghan join Brendan to discuss some of the best film and TV this week. Their choices include ‘Eternity’, ‘Ripple’ and ‘President Connolly: How The Race Was Won’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining Brendan to dissect the stories making the headlines today, are Executive Director of TASC, Shana Cohen; Special Correspondent for the Irish Examiner, Mick Clifford; Chief Economist with Deloitte Ireland, Kate English; and John O’Brennan, Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastry Chef and CEO of Grá Chocolates, Grainne Mullins talks Brendan through some delicious recipes to help you celebrate the festive season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.