Shows / Brendan O'Connor
Brendan O'Connor
Brendan O'Connor has all you need for the weekend with time to pause and reflect on the week just gone. Featuring a selection of human interest, consumer and lifestyle stories, as well as keeping you up to date on the news stories that matter. Listen live Saturday and Sunday at 11am - 1pm on RTÉ Radio 1.
Episodes
Brendan O'ConnorThe Watchlist
Joining Brendan to pick the best shows and films available this week are Nadine O’Regan, Arts and Features writer with the Irish Times and Brian Lloyd, Host of…
Brendan O'Connor“Washing Up” - a poem by Derek Mahon
Brendan played a recording of actor Stephen Rea reciting the Derek Mahon poem, Washing Up. The recording was originally broadcast as part of the RTÉ Television…
Brendan O'ConnorDr Richard Hogan on work: “I don’t think anyone on their death bed thinks ‘I should have worked more’”
Psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan talks to Brendan about work. He talks about the pressure on teens to know what they want to be, how to find the job that’s…
Brendan O'ConnorSeán Ronayne - “Being a new father is like living a magical new life”
Ornithologist and author Seán Ronayne talks about becoming a father, his awe at watching his daughter’s developing love of nature, how his autism informs his…
Brendan O'ConnorBlindboy Boatclub - “Dogs can smell in stereo, they can smell time!”
Podcaster and Author Blindboy BoatClub has had some of his short stories adapted by director Dan Colley into a new Abbey Theatre play, ‘Animals’. He talks to…
Brendan O'Connor“My head-on joyrider crash left me scared of the dark, driving, everything”
Cork woman Róisín Stakelum suffered a head-on motorway crash in July 2023 when she was driving to Dublin Airport and a car of teenage joyriders were driving…
Brendan O'ConnorLate Summer Indulgence Recipes!
Chef Maggie Roche tells Brendan about her cafe, The Little Acorn, shutting down tomorrow and about her career ranging from The Merrion Hotel to working with…
Brendan O'ConnorThe Watchlist
Joining Brendan to pick the best shows and films available this week are host of the Extra Vision Podcast, Andy McCarroll and entertainment journalist and host…
Brendan O'Connor“I’m not worried about Millennials; I’m worried a fear of cringe is ruling Gen Z lives!”
Podcaster and Presenter, Fionnuala Jones, joins Brendan to discuss the growing obsession with cringe. We are now at the point in our culture where anything…
Brendan O'Connor"My big ambition? That my wife is happy" - writer, Richard Ford
Novelist Richard Ford, joins Brendan to discuss the current state of Donald Trump’s America, rediscovering his Irish heritage and the dynamics of his life-long…
Brendan O'ConnorNewspaper Panel
Joining Brendan to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: farmer & presenter of Ear to the Ground, Darragh McCullough; Columnist with the Irish…
Brendan O'Connor“Odyssey Round the A&E”, a new poem by Rita Ann Higgins
Acclaimed poet Rita Ann Higgins reads a new poem “Odyssey Round the A&E” inspired by her husband Christy’s recent visit to the Emergency Department. See…
Brendan O'Connor"My big ambition? That my wife is happy" - writer, Richard Ford
Novelist Richard Ford, joins Brendan to discuss the current state of Donald Trump’s America, rediscovering his Irish heritage and the dynamics of his life-long…
Brendan O'ConnorNewspaper Panel
Joining Brendan to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: farmer & presenter of Ear to the Ground, Darragh McCullough; Columnist with the Irish…
Brendan O'ConnorThe Watchlist
Joining Brendan to pick the best shows and films available this week are host of the Extra Vision Podcast, Andy McCarroll and entertainment journalist and host…
Brendan O'Connor“I’m not worried about Millennials; I’m worried a fear of cringe is ruling Gen Z lives!”
Podcaster and Presenter, Fionnuala Jones, joins Brendan to discuss the growing obsession with cringe. We are now at the point in our culture where anything…
Brendan O'ConnorHomemade Ice Cream for Dummies with Kevin Dundon
Chef Kevin Dundon joins Brendan to discuss the delights of home-made ice cream. He talks through how to make simple ice-cream at home and tweak it with a range…
Brendan O'ConnorA Physio’s Guide to Improving your Balance
Chartered Physiotherapist, founder of Posture Fitting and former Ireland Rugby International, Siobhan O’Donovan joins Brendan to offer tips on how to improve…
Brendan O'Connor“He told me ‘word is you’re a flash in the pan’ - that drove me to prove myself” - Phil Coulter
The multi-award winning songwriter behind classics like ‘Ireland’s Call’ and ‘The Town I Loved So Well’, Phil Coulter tells Brendan about his extraordinary…
Brendan O'ConnorFrom pink cocaine to ultra strong MDMA - a warning on this year’s casual drug trends
The HSE’s National Clinical Lead on Addiction Services, Prof. Eamon Keenan joins Brendan to discuss drug use at festivals emphasising that the best way to stay…
Brendan O'Connor"With potatoes cooking in the ground - has this summer been a wake-up call on climate change?"
After a summer of unprecedented heatwaves and terrifying wildfires close to home, have people's views on climate change altered? Will these events change how…
Brendan O'ConnorRobbie Williams - “I’m taking the weight loss jabs. I didn’t qualify, but I’m a celebrity”
Legendary songwriter and performer, Robbie Williams joins Brendan to discuss imposter syndrome, his experience of weight-loss jabs, the difficulty of facing…
Brendan O'Connor"With potatoes cooking in the ground - has this summer been a wake-up call on climate change?"
After a summer of unprecedented heatwaves and terrifying wildfires close to home, have people's views on climate change altered? Will these events change how…
Brendan O'ConnorA Physio’s Guide to Improving your Balance
Chartered Physiotherapist, founder of Posture Fitting and former Ireland Rugby International, Siobhan O’Donovan joins Brendan to offer tips on how to improve…
Brendan O'ConnorFrom pink cocaine to ultra strong MDMA - a warning on this year’s casual drug trends
The HSE’s National Clinical Lead on Addiction Services, Prof. Eamon Keenan joins Brendan to discuss drug use at festivals emphasising that the best way to stay…
Brendan O'ConnorHomemade Ice Cream for Dummies with Kevin Dundon
Chef Kevin Dundon joins Brendan to discuss the delights of home-made ice cream. He talks through how to make simple ice-cream at home and tweak it with a range…
Brendan O'ConnorRobbie Williams - “I’m taking the weight loss jabs. I didn’t qualify, but I’m a celebrity”
Legendary songwriter and performer, Robbie Williams joins Brendan to discuss imposter syndrome, his experience of weight-loss jabs, the difficulty of facing…
Brendan O'Connor“He told me ‘word is you’re a flash in the pan’ - that drove me to prove myself” - Phil Coulter
The multi-award winning songwriter behind classics like ‘Ireland’s Call’ and ‘The Town I Loved So Well’, Phil Coulter tells Brendan about his extraordinary…
Brendan O'Connor“Odyssey Round the A&E”, a new poem by Rita Ann Higgins
Acclaimed poet Rita Ann Higgins reads a new poem “Odyssey Round the A&E” inspired by her husband Christy’s recent visit to the Emergency Department.
Brendan O'ConnorThe Newspaper Panel
Joining Brendan to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Former Government Press Secretary, Chris Donoghue, Lorna Fitzpatrick, Co-Founder of…
Brendan O'ConnorThe Watchlist
Arts and Music Journalist, Zara Hedderman and Business Post Film critic, John Maguire join Brendan with their film and television recommendations for the week…
Brendan O'Connor“Jeremy Irons can hold his own at a seisiún ” - Martin Hayes
One of Ireland’s finest musicians, fiddle player, Martin Hayes talks to Brendan about the music that shaped his life, the melancholy of the songs he grew up…
Brendan O'Connor“Real life horrors are on your phone instantly”
After the hospitalisation of blogger Perez Hilton this week, Dave Hanratty of the No Encore podcast talks to Brendan about Hilton’s rise, the darkness of the…
Brendan O'ConnorThe ultimate cheeseburger
Food Historian and columnist with the Financial Times, Tim Hayward chats to Brendan about the simple joy of the cheeseburger, the certain alchemy of cheap…
Brendan O'Connor“I didn’t think Ferris Bueller would last 40 years” - Matthew Broderick
Star of the stage and screen Matthew Broderick talks to Brendan about finding fame in the cultural phenomenon Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, his childhood summers…
Brendan O'Connor“I think I'll miss being given out to by Brenda Fricker the most!”
Friends of the late Brenda Fricker, Liz Duffy, costume designer Joan Bergin and filmmaker Tadgh O’Sullivan share their memories of the actress. They talk to…
Brendan O'Connor“Marriage needs conflict” - Prof. Katriona O’Sullivan
Prof. Katriona O’Sullivan joins Brendan to discuss the nuances of marriage, reflecting on the knotty dynamics of a committed relationship, the work of…
Brendan O'Connor“People used tea bags and gravy browning to tan their legs!”
From Coco Chanel introducing tanning as a style statement to the war effort of mimicking nylons with teabags, fake tan has always been in vogue. Beauty and…
Brendan O'ConnorEllen Keane: “I came back from the Paralympics and my motivation was in the bin”
Five-time Paralympian, Dancing with the Stars contestant, and coach on Ireland’s Fittest Family, Ellen Keane, tells Dearbhail about her career, training…
Brendan O'ConnorLiterary feuds – “She shot to fame in a film that sexualised a young girl”
Author Edel Coffey joins Dearbhail to discuss literary feuds. The conversation is prompted by a growing controversy around the memoir of celebrated author…
Brendan O'ConnorThe Newspaper panel
Joining Dearbhail to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are Kerry Today host, Jerry O’Sullivan; Green Party Chair and Councillor for Dublin’s north…
Brendan O'ConnorThe Watchlist
Joining Dearbhail to discuss the best shows and films arriving this week, are producer Eoin Sweeney and Director of the Dublin International Film Festival…
Brendan O'ConnorSummer debts: “Dog-sitting can be a great way to get a cheap holiday - if you like dogs!”
Managing Director of Rockwell Financial, Robert Whelan, joins Dearbhail to discuss how triage your summer debts by prioritising the loans that have the highest…
Brendan O'ConnorViral Clare businesswoman: “I was born with resting bitch face, and I’m proud of it!”
Diane Kelly, Director and Co-Founder of LL Solutions, took to social media to share her thoughts on how difficult it is to be a woman online, constantly judged…
Brendan O'ConnorWeinstein survivor, Ashley Judd: “Not all men are violent, but most men are silent”
Hollywood star and best-selling author, Ashley Judd, joins Dearbhail to discuss her career, her activism and her prominent role in the #MeToo movement. The…
Brendan O'Connor“You don’t need a free bar two hours before the meal” - Noel Cunningham on hosting a recovering alcoholic
Hotelier and recovering alcoholic, Noel Cunningham, joins Dearbhail with advice on how to host guests who are guarding their sobriety. He speaks candidly about…
Brendan O'ConnorGlen Hansard Interview - February 14th 2026
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…
Brendan O'ConnorShane Daniel Byrne - “I like the way songs can change meaning over the years”
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…
Brendan O'ConnorThe Newspaper Panel
Joining Dearbhail to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Caoilfhionn Gallagher, Barrister and International Human Rights Lawyer; Cuan Ó…
Brendan O'ConnorThe Watchlist
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…
Brendan O'Connor“Camping is just THE BEST way to explore Ireland”
Glamping... wild camping... camper-vaning... With hotel prices going through the roof, Matthew McConnell, Editor at Outsider.ie, talked to Dearbhail about…
Brendan O'ConnorPat Shortt: “I love grotesque, edgy madness!”
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…
Brendan O'ConnorPaul Simon’s Graceland at 40
John Meagher, Music Critic and Irish Independent Senior Features Writer, explains why ‘Graceland’ was such a groundbreaking album. Simon felt he needed a…
Brendan O'Connor“People are watching Netflix while they’re driving along”
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…
Brendan O'Connor“There is always violence bubbling under”
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…
Brendan O'Connor“You want a waxy spud for a potato salad”
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…
Brendan O'ConnorThe Newspaper Panel
Joining Claire Brock to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times, Aisling Meehan…
Brendan O'ConnorThe Watchlist
Writer Henrietta McKervey and Dave O’ Callaghan, host of the ‘Here and Back Again’ podcast join Claire to preview the latest T.V. and cinema releases including…
Brendan O'Connor“Are bank details on a wedding invite the new norm?”
With wedding season in full swing, the celebrations can also bring up some difficult issues. Claire is joined by Chartered Psychologist Allison Keating and…
Brendan O'Connor“By the time you’re thirsty you're already 2% dehydrated” - Defeating Dehydration
Registered dietician Sarah Keogh talks to Claire about effective hydration, how to combat dehydration, how much water we should be drinking, the best time of…