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Sligo brogue: Alan Cawley. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Radio review: Game On keeps us tuned in to this weird World Cup

On Tuesday’s Game On (2FM, Mon-Fri 6pm), something unusual — and wonderful, in a low-key kind of way — happened. Three people were discussing soccer and they all spoke in their own accents; accents that you don’t often hear on Irish radio.

Co-founder of Christmas FM Garvan Rigby in studio. Photo: Mark Condren

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‘People tell us it’s like switching the festive season on’ – popular radio station Christmas FM is up and running

Like all great ideas, the seeds were sown for Christmas FM after a conversation in the pub between four friends.

Broadcaster Marty Whelan. Photo by Steve Humphreys

Radio review: Sorry, Marty Whelan, I was wrong — I love to hear you talk about nothing in the morning

It takes a big man to admit when he’s wrong. I was one of those who pooh-poohed Marty Whelan’s switch to Lyric in 2010.

RTÉ journalist Katie Hannon who will present her new TV show on Monday nights. Photo: Gerry Mooney

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Katie Hannon and The Late Debate crew are having a great time – and they are running the country

You know in the movies when some character switches on the car radio and within three seconds you know the essence of the programme? Sometimes in a bad way? For example, a reckless youth will immediately find a station playing The Clash, or a “boring” character will immediately find a Radio 4 item about palaeontology?

In From Now, Richard Madden is among the crew of a 'lost' spaceship that has miraculously returned to earth after 35 years. Stock image

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The weird world of sci-fi: Psychiatry, conspiracies, dystopias and, of course, a spaceship

Sci-fi will always be an evergreen genre of fiction due to its wide-reaching themes of time and space travel, and institutional conspiracies that reflect the existential fears of our time:

Radio review: Pat Kenny plays a blinder with the PlayStation but lets Coveney keep control

Christmas is coming and the goose is getting… worried? Maybe Mammy and Daddy Goose anyway, if they’d intended on buying the new PlayStation 5 for little Johnny or Mary Goose. (We’ll stop now.)

Bruce Springsteen performs a tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony in Los Angeles. Photo: Chris Pizzello

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It’s the eternal mystery – Is Bruce Springsteen singing ‘Mary’s dress waves’ or ‘Mary’s dress sways’?

We live in a time of enormous global events, with epochal struggles between democracy and authoritarianism making it hard to get too excited about the peaceful transfer of power from Micheál Martin to Leo Varadkar.

Donald Trump speaks at Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Andrew Harnik

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Finding some upside to dump of raw sewage at home and abroad

It’s all about the framing, isn’t it? There’s this radio ad for Irish Water that contains some horrendous information, framed in such a way that the message is uplifting, even joyous – a bit like hearing from Airport Security that you have been “chosen” to be searched, like it’s your lucky day.

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Whimsical tree journeys, a question of wasps and Colin Stafford-Johnson on conservation

There’s the temptation to see autumn leaves dropping and think of life waning – when trees are still very much alive and merely drawing their energy into their interiors until spring. From the microcosms hiding in leaf litter to the ‘wood wide web’, these podcasts remind us of nature’s vitality, even in winter.

Late Debate host Katie Hannon. Photo by Gerry Mooney

Radio review: Katie the Great is the serene queen of Late Debate

‘I have to tell you, I’m in that very dangerous place for a political reporter,” said writer John Nichols on Late Debate (Radio 1, Tue-Thu 10pm). “I’ve got a lot to say but I don’t know that much.”

‘Cancelling a wedding is far more stressful than planning one’ - 2FM’s Tracy Clifford on Covid disruption and hopes to be a mother

Tracy Clifford has vowed to give her friends and family a big day out for her wedding.

Radio review: Moncrieff still has the power to slap us with something new

Moncrieff (Newstalk, Mon-Fri 2pm) continues to amuse and often delight — and to regularly surprise, which is surprising in itself, to a degree.

Donald Trump arrives at the 'Save America' rally on October 22, 2022 in Robstown, Texas. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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RTÉ's This Week talking about a ‘polarised’ America gives Donald Trump’s supporters far too much credit

In an age of media chaos, RTÉ1’s This Week (RTÉ1, Sundays, 1pm) is holding the line for the old ways. If you could compare a radio programme to a restaurant, This Week would be like the dining room of an old country hotel which is still serving up the Sunday Lunch of the Brown Windsor soup , the roast beef and two veg, the custard and stewed apple.

Radio review: A show that actually covers world news — not just the anglosphere

World Report (Radio 1, Sun 8am) redresses, to some extent, one of this column’s long-standing bugbears: the paucity of world news on Irish radio.

Bono likes to get involved. Photo: Ross Stewart

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Bono ‘didn’t get the memo’ while John Banville stays out of saving the world chats

Bono was on Morning Ireland (RTÉ1, weekdays, 7am) talking about his book Surrender, and quoting U2 manager Paul McGuinness, who insisted the job of the artist is to point out the problems, not solve them. “I didn’t get that memo,” Bono told Sinéad Crowley.

Radio review: Slipping away into a waking dream of the ocean deep with Seascapes

Seascapes (Radio 1, Fri, 10.30pm) is one of those lovely things that really only radio can do — or, at least, does better than any other medium.

British prime minister Liz Truss speaks during Prime Minister's Questions. Photo: PA

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Declan Lynch Opinion Claire Byrne is right – at this time in British history, their scandals are just bigger and better than ours

There are some who would condemn Today with Claire Byrne (RTÉ1, weekdays,10am) for kicking off with a deep dive into the horrors of British politics – a dive so deep it had three heavy-duty contributors in journalists Matthew Parris and Sonia Purnell, and Professor Jonathan Tonge.

Broadcaster Claire Byrne at the RTÉ Radio Centre in Donnybrook

Claire Byrne worried she would ‘go to pieces on air’ after dad’s death

Claire Byrne has opened up about almost having a breakdown on air shortly after her father’s death.

Damien O'Reilly will broadcast his last show on Countrywide on Saturday, November 5.

Damien O’Reilly to leave RTÉ for new role in Brussels

RTÉ broadcaster Damien O’Reilly has announced that he is leaving the station to take up a new role in Brussels.

Radio review: It’s a funny fit for Today FM, but listeners like The Last Word

The Last Word (Mon-Sat, 4.30pm) has always been something of an odd fit on Today FM — except in the beginning, when the station wasn’t called Today FM at all, but Radio Ireland. (That rebranding is one of my great regrets of Irish broadcasting; Radio Ireland sounds cool, Today FM sounds… not cool.)

Roddy Collins was chatting to Brendan O'Connor. Photo: Steve Humphreys

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RTÉ decided Mary Kennedy and John Giles were not needed past a certain age, but the BBC sees merit in legendary talent

A good radio show will create its own world, by whatever means. There’s no formula, you just know it when you hear it, and sometimes one line can do it. “There’s a reading list to go with it” is such a line.

Radio review: He’s no longer the young gun but Dave Fanning keeps on keeping on

It’s mad to think that Dave Fanning is 66. I’m not sure I believe it, actually, but that’s what the internet is telling me.

Liveline's Joe Duffy. Photo by Mark Condren

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Joe Duffy not convinced by appearance of Padre Pio in the banisters upstairs

It must be about seven years ago, when there was a fierce debate on various radio stations about the way the drinks industry in Ireland was trying to get involved in the education of young people about their drinking habits.

Fearne Cotton launched her own independent podcast Happy Place in 2018, which celebrates triumphs over adversity. Stock photo

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Podcasts: How to stay happy and healthy with tips from storytellers, doctors and A-listers

The sun will come out tomorrow... But you’ll only know if you get up, open the curtains and let the light in.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on public expenditure and reform Mairéad Farrell

Radio review: Money talks as Morning Ireland delivers top-class reportage on the Budget

Why should we have to pay for public service broadcasting?

Brothers of Italy's leader Giorgia Meloni flashes the victory sign. Photo: Gregorio Borgia

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Morning Ireland and Today with Claire Byrne review: If anything it's going easy on Giorgia Meloni to call her ‘far right’

Morning Ireland (RTÉ1, weekdays, 7am) started the week reporting on the victory of the far right in the Italian election. Indeed, most other such programmes in the free world described the party led by Giorgia Meloni as ‘far right’, based on certain clear indicators.

Radio review: Off the Ball is playing the long game to become a sports phenomenon

Rupert Murdoch famously described sport as “a battering ram” in creating demand for his satellite TV service. Off the Ball (Newstalk, Mon-Fri 7-10pm; Sat 1-5pm, Sun 1-7pm) isn’t quite that — and I don’t think they’d appreciate being likened to old Rupert — but has been a driving force within the station since launching in April 2002.

RTÉ DJ Tara Kumar announces 2FM departure: ‘It’s time for a new adventure’

RTÉ 2FM DJ Tara Kumar has announced that she is leaving the station after six years to pursue her career further in London.

David Horgan has challenged “moaners”, “flakes” and “virtue signallers”.

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Radio review: If you want to be annoyed in a good way (and who doesn’t?) there’s always Liveline

It is now clearly understood in social media and the traditional kind, that there’s much to be gained by annoying people. An angry listener or viewer or reader is the one you want, as their rage can ‘drive engagement’, and all that stuff. What is less clearly understood, is this may not necessarily be a bad thing – it can be a good thing.

A lower court judge vacated Syed's conviction in 2016 (Barbara Haddock Taylor/The Baltimore Sun via AP)

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Serial: How one podcast changed the face of true crime and cast doubt on Adnan Syed’s murder conviction

Eight years ago, a new sound hit the airwaves. It was minimalist, just a few notes on a piano, layered with an audio recording of a phone call coming from prison.

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November 2022

Radio review: Game On keeps us tuned in to this weird World Cup

‘People tell us it’s like switching the festive season on’ – popular radio station Christmas FM is up and running

Radio review: Sorry, Marty Whelan, I was wrong — I love to hear you talk about nothing in the morning

Katie Hannon and The Late Debate crew are having a great time – and they are running the country

The weird world of sci-fi: Psychiatry, conspiracies, dystopias and, of course, a spaceship

Radio review: Pat Kenny plays a blinder with the PlayStation but lets Coveney keep control

It’s the eternal mystery – Is Bruce Springsteen singing ‘Mary’s dress waves’ or ‘Mary’s dress sways’?

Finding some upside to dump of raw sewage at home and abroad

Whimsical tree journeys, a question of wasps and Colin Stafford-Johnson on conservation

Radio review: Katie the Great is the serene queen of Late Debate

‘Cancelling a wedding is far more stressful than planning one’ - 2FM’s Tracy Clifford on Covid disruption and hopes to be a mother

Radio review: Moncrieff still has the power to slap us with something new

RTÉ's This Week talking about a ‘polarised’ America gives Donald Trump’s supporters far too much credit

October 2022

Radio review: A show that actually covers world news — not just the anglosphere

Bono ‘didn’t get the memo’ while John Banville stays out of saving the world chats

Radio review: Slipping away into a waking dream of the ocean deep with Seascapes

Declan Lynch Opinion Claire Byrne is right – at this time in British history, their scandals are just bigger and better than ours

Claire Byrne worried she would ‘go to pieces on air’ after dad’s death

Damien O’Reilly to leave RTÉ for new role in Brussels

Radio review: It’s a funny fit for Today FM, but listeners like The Last Word

RTÉ decided Mary Kennedy and John Giles were not needed past a certain age, but the BBC sees merit in legendary talent

Radio review: He’s no longer the young gun but Dave Fanning keeps on keeping on

Joe Duffy not convinced by appearance of Padre Pio in the banisters upstairs

Podcasts: How to stay happy and healthy with tips from storytellers, doctors and A-listers

Radio review: Money talks as Morning Ireland delivers top-class reportage on the Budget

September 2022

Morning Ireland and Today with Claire Byrne review: If anything it's going easy on Giorgia Meloni to call her ‘far right’

Radio review: Off the Ball is playing the long game to become a sports phenomenon

RTÉ DJ Tara Kumar announces 2FM departure: ‘It’s time for a new adventure’

Radio review: If you want to be annoyed in a good way (and who doesn’t?) there’s always Liveline

Serial: How one podcast changed the face of true crime and cast doubt on Adnan Syed’s murder conviction

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