Brendan O'Connor

RTÉ

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.

  • 12 minutes 36 seconds
    The Watchlist
    Grainne Humphreys, Director of the Dublin International Film Festival and Dave O’ Callaghan, host of the ‘Here and Back Again’ podcast talk Brendan through the hits and misses of the week’s movies and TV shows.
    5 April 2026, 11:00 am
  • 10 minutes 49 seconds
    Nóirín Ní Riain – “The modern world badly needs a spiritual transplant”
    Singer and interfaith minister Nóirín Ní Riain joins Brendan to talk about the story of the resurrection and why it has such resonance for humanity today. Nóirín also sings an Alleluia to praise the lord on this Easter Sunday.
    5 April 2026, 11:00 am
  • 26 minutes 18 seconds
    Kathryn Thomas - “I would never have admitted to Botox five years ago”
    TV and radio Presenter Kathryn Thomas talks to Brendan about her new two-part documentary series for RTE ‘Young Forever: The Death of Ageing?’. She talks about how it feels to age in the public eye, what made her decide to get Botox and the effect technology has had on how we view ageing.
    5 April 2026, 11:00 am
  • 55 minutes 25 seconds
    The Newspaper Panel
    Joining Brendan to discuss the stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Oisín Coghlan, Public Policy Advisor; Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times; Finian McGrath, Former Independent TD and former Minister of State for Disability Issues and Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute.
    5 April 2026, 11:00 am
  • 10 minutes 31 seconds
    European Greenway Holidays “I wouldn’t go on a holiday now that didn’t involve cycling”
    Ex-Fine Gael TD & current President of Cycling Ireland, Ciaran Cannon, gives tips on embarking on your first European Greenway Holiday. Where to go, what to bring and the sheer joys of cycling to a different destination every day.
    4 April 2026, 11:00 am
  • 22 minutes 58 seconds
    Crime writer, Tana French - “Women are socialised to think about predators who see us as prey”
    Award-winning crime author Tana French talks about moving around a lot as a child, settling in Ireland at 17, learning the codes and the nuances, her early acting career, being an outsider and an insider at the same time and how she views modern Irish society
    4 April 2026, 11:00 am
  • 1 minute 40 seconds
    The Edge on his friend Hal Wilner - “It was our good fortune to know him”
    U2’s The Edge introduces the band’s new song “Song for Hal” which was written to remember their friend Hal Wilner, who died during the pandemic, a time when a lot of people died alone.
    4 April 2026, 11:00 am
  • 8 minutes 29 seconds
    Trisha Lewis - “I love myself now, I didn’t love myself 7 years ago”
    Chef and influencer Trisha Lewis looks back on her transformation journey seven years on and tells Brendan how accepting that this will be a lifelong process for her has changed her mind set. She also makes a case for ditching the New Year's resolutions in favour of springtime goals, as she takes on the camino with her crew of transformers.
    4 April 2026, 11:00 am
  • 33 minutes 21 seconds
    Comedian, Emma Doran - “I’m like a Jack Russell; all bark but really I just want to be up on the couch!”
    Comedian Emma Doran talks through key moments in her life and the soundtrack that went alongside them; from becoming pregnant in her leaving cert year, to getting her comedy career started. Her choices range from Jerry Lee Lewis to Liberty X and Katy Perry. Emma talks about her upcoming tour dates and a debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
    4 April 2026, 11:00 am
  • 8 minutes 11 seconds
    The Ultimate Chocolate Cake this Easter
    Pastry Chef and founder of Grá Chocolates, Gráinne Mullins, brings us an easy-to-make three-layer chocolate cake recipe and promises it’ll be the most delicious chocolate cake you’ve ever eaten.
    4 April 2026, 11:00 am
  • 12 minutes 54 seconds
    The Watchlist
    Joining Brendan to preview the best films and TV shows this week – including The Young Offenders, Saturday Night Live UK and Rory McIlroy: the Masters Wait – are Irish Times arts journalist, Nadine O’Regan; and host of the Extra Vision podcast, Andy McCarroll.
    29 March 2026, 11:00 am
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