Brendan O'Connor

Episoder

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  The Newspaper Panel 20.09.2026 52min

  Joining Brendan to discuss the main stories in Sunday's newspapers are: Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute; Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent at the Irish Times; Finian McGrath, Former Independent TD and former Minister of State for Disability Issues and Dr Barra Roantree, Economist at Trinity College, Dublin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Mark Little - We can take back our power over AI 20.09.2026 30min

  Mark Little, tech entrepreneur and journalist, has written a new book 'The Last Good Day on the Internet' in which he charts the initial innocence of the internet and its 'shared playground' feel to the rise of the algorithm to the AI age we're currently living in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Jennie Bond - "It's an absolute character assassination of King Charles" 20.09.2026 4min

  In a new book by the brother of the late Princess Diana, Charles Spencer makes various claims highlighting King Charles' cold-heartedness at the time of Diana's death. Jennie Bond, Journalist and former BBC Royal Correspondent also recalls the tension between Diana and the Royal Family while she was alive and its impact on the next generation of royals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Watchlist 20.09.2026 12min

  Joining Brendan to pick out the week's best offerings on the big and small screen are: Esther O’Moore Donohoe, writer and podcaster and John Maguire, Business Post Film Critic for the Business Post. Among some of the TV shows and films they preview are Sharon Horgan's 'Youth', Matthew McConaughey's 'Brothers', the new BBC series of 'Strictly Come Dancing', Saoirse Ronan's 'Bad Apples and Shaun The Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  "Sitting with Manchán while his soul left his body was life-changing" 19.09.2026 27min

  Aisling Rogerson, founder of The Fumbally Café and the widow of the late Manchán Magan, talks about how all of Manchán's life's work culminates in the final book of his trilogy, 'Seeing What's Happening', with its focus on connecting to the spirit and having the right relationship with nature. She also talks about first meeting him on Inis Oirr 12 years ago, their long-distance relationship and coming to terms with his death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Anthony Scaramucci - "I simply got seduced by the power" 19.09.2026 15min

  Anthony Scaramucci, former White House Director of Communications (for 11days!) and co-host of The Rest is Politics US spoke to Brendan about his childhood on the Jersey Shore and how he ended up mixing with the elite. He talked about the mistakes America has made that he believes led to the era of Donald Trump, and offers some solutions. Anthony’s latest book “All the wrong moves” is out now.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  “Nikita has empowered other survivors to get support” 19.09.2026 10min

  Rachel Morrogh, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre spoke to Brendan about the impact of Nikita Hand’s interview on other survivors of sexual violence, she talked about how difficult it can be for a survivor to come forward to ask for help and she outlined the many ways to get support.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Nikita Hand - “I tried to fight but I couldn’t overpower somebody like him” 19.09.2026 39min

  Nikita Hand, who won her case in 2025 when a civil jury in the high court found that Conor McGregor assaulted her by raping her, joined Brendan to talk about her new book ‘Not the Perfect Victim’. She spoke about the trauma she’s lived with since, the difficult decision to seek justice and coming face to face with McGregor in the courtroom. She hopes her book will offer hope to other survivors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Newspaper Panel 13.09.2026 54min

  Joining Dearbhail to discuss the main stories in Sunday's newspapers are Irish Examiner political correspondent, Louise Burne; Executive Director of TASC, Dr Shana Coen; commentator and CEO of the Iona Institute, David Quinn; Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Mary Immaculate College, Prof Niamh Hourigan. They're joined from Doonbeg by RTE reporter, Brian O’Connell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Watchlist 13.09.2026 11min

  Joining Dearbhail to pick out the week's best offerings on the big and small screen are arts journalist, Zara Hedderman and RTE Guide movies editor, Michael Doherty. They discuss season 6 of 'Slow Horses', new reality show 'Apocalypse' and 'The Random Driving Test' - in which PJ Gallagher challenges people to re-sit their driving test.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How to warm up like a pro 13.09.2026 9min

  Chartered physiotherapist, Aisling Frawley discusses the true value of warming up before sustained exercise. She talks Dearbhail through some key warm-ups for anyone going for a run, playing a match, or heading to the gym. She also provides tips on warming up as we age. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Caitlin Moran - "We wouldn’t eat ‘doom-cake’, why do we ‘doom-scroll’??" 13.09.2026 25min

  Best-selling writer Caitlin Moran talks ditching doomscrolling, finding hope in a heartfelt, practical way and how her "furry Fitbit" dog Luna reminds her to play; all explored in her new book 'How to be Hopeful: A Year of Living Joyfully'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  President Trump - "A united Ireland would be a very cool thing" 12.09.2026 1t 6min

  As US President Donald Trump visits Ireland, Dearbhail is joined for live analysis by CEO of ActionAid Ireland, Karol Balfe; Professor of Politics at UCC, Theresa Reidy; Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín; US political strategist, Lindy Li and Law Lecturer at the University of Galway, Larry Donnelly. We also hear part of President Trump's speech. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Patrick Kielty - "It never gets dark in Kielty Park" 12.09.2026 33min

  Broadcaster and comedian Patrick Kielty talks about stand-up during dark times and family life with his boys, as he takes us through his life in five songs, with stories about Roy Orbison playing the Parochial Hall in Dundrum Co. Down and The Stone Roses at the Hacienda and Old Trafford. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Watchlist 06.09.2026 13min

  Joining Dearbhail to preview some of the best films and TV shows available this week are: Grainne Humphreys, director of the Dublin International Film Festival and Eoin Sweeney, producer. Some of the productions discussed are season two of ‘The Paper’, ‘Untold Mr T: I Pity the Fool’, the movie version of ‘Call My Agent!’, ‘At Your Service’, ‘Late Fame’ and ‘Hungry’, a horror movie about a rampaging hippo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  "When a new Grand Theft Auto comes out many people take a day off work to play it" 06.09.2026 9min

  Ciara O'Brien, Irish Times business and technology journalist and Grand Theft Auto fan talks Dearbhail through the history of what’s been called the most controversial video game of all time. November sees the eagerly anticipated sixth incarnation of the game which its fans have been waiting over a decade for.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  "‘Mar-a-Lago Face’ is now being requested from cosmetic doctors" 06.09.2026 28min

  Author Róisín Kiberd talks botox, beauty standards, steroids and wellness with Dearbhail - topics she considers in her new book ‘The Most Normal Woman: Essays on Appearances’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Newspaper Panel 06.09.2026 54min

  Joining Dearbhail to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Colm O'Gorman, commentator and former executive director of Amnesty International Ireland; Dr Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh, doctor and Irish Independent columnist; Declan Power, security and defence analyst and Elaine Loughlin, political editor with the Irish Examiner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  "There won't be a dry eye in Croke Park tonight when 'Grace' is sung before Katie's fight" 05.09.2026 13min

  RTE Sport’s Jacqui Hurley is presenting tonight’s coverage of Katie Taylor’s final-ever boxing fight in Croke Park. She reflects on Katie’s career, on interviewing her this week and she tells us everything we need to know about tonight’s fight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Bronagh Gallagher - "I met Aretha and told her she was our queen" 05.09.2026 36min

  Derry woman Bronagh Gallagher tells Dearbhail about growing up in the Troubles and her amazing acting life, including roles in The Commitments, Pulp Fiction, and Star Wars. She also discusses her soul-singing career and political activism through the prism of five songs, ranging from Aretha Franklin to Bob Marley to Van Morrison. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.