Brendan O'Connor

Episodes

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  The Watchlist 08.11.2026 10m

  Arts and Features writer with the Irish Times, Nadine O' Regan and TV producer Eoin Sweeney join Brendan to talk about the TV and movie offerings of the week, from The Good Daughter to La Bola Nehra and Netflix's Black Doves, starring Kiera Knightly.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Ros Hubbard - "My gift is to see the magic in somebody" 08.11.2026 38m

  Hollywood casting director Ros Hubbard joins Brendan to talk about her long career in the film industry, and the upcoming Dingle Film Festival. Ros remembers discovering Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan and Andrew Scott and why being Irish is a secret weapon in Hollywood. Ros also very movingly tells Brendan about the death of her granddaughter, by suicide and how heartbreaking that loss has been for her and her family.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Newspaper Panel 08.11.2026 51m

  Joining Brendan to discuss the main stories in Sunday's newspapers are; Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs consultant and former Government advisor; Dr Emma Howard, Senior lecturer at TU Dublin; Scott Lucas, Professor of US and International politics at UCD’s Clinton Institute and Mary Regan, Political Editor of the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Bono - "In Ireland we have a deep memory of being bullied" 07.11.2026 31m

  U2 join Brendan in studio to talk about their latest album; Carnaval de Luz. Bono, Edge, Larry and Adam chat about making music together for 50 years, why Adam is feeling sexier than ever on the bass, how Larry has recovered from a serious back injury, and why they're reaching for defiant joy with this record. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Clíodhna O' Sullivan "People could pick it up off me, that I wasn't normal" 07.11.2026 9m

  The newest star of the global romantasy genre, Cliodhna O' Sullivan is back to talk to Brendan about her latest novel; Her Hidden Flame. She tells Brendan about being diagnosed with Autism later in life, experiencing autism burnout, and how she's been adapting to live as a bestselling Romantasy author. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Victoria Mary Clarke - "There is a missing piece right beside me all the time" 07.11.2026 30m

  Victoria Mary Clarke chats to Brendan about the new Shane MacGowan tribute album; 'Twentieth Century Paddy', a collection of Pogues songs performed by some of Shane's closest friends and collaborators, including Johnny Depp, Hozier and Jessie Buckley. She tells Brendan that she talks and writes to Shane every day, and how she feels about the idea that Shane wasted his talent in his later years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Shane's Smith's Epic Sandwich recipes 07.11.2026 10m

  Chef, Shane Smith talks Brendan through his favourite hot sandwich recipes for lunchtime and beyond. He goes through the bread rules for a good sandwich, why it's ok to double sauce, and why he loves a batch loaf. He gives us mouth-watering recipes for a roast-beef sandwich, a bacon butty and a Philly cheese steak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Death of Ciara Mageean - "The Irish athletic community are mourning a beautiful person today" 01.11.2026 13m

  Athlete and Broadcaster David Gillick and RTE Sport's Des Cahill pay tribute to the Irish Olympian and European Champion Ciara Mageean whose death was announced this morning after a battle with cancer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Newspaper Panel 01.11.2026 36m

  Joining Brendan to discuss the main stories in Sunday's newspapers are:  Oisín Coghlan, public policy advisor, Louise Burne, Political Correspondent at the Irish Examiner, Peter Brown, Managing Director The Irish Institute of Financial Trading, Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  "Trump has squandered all his good opportunities in these midterms" 01.11.2026 23m

  Author, Tech Entrepreneur and former RTÉ Washington Correspondent, Mark Little, previews Tuesday's US midterm elections, explains why he thinks they're more consequential than a US Presidential election would be and outlines how the various final scenarios would affect America and the wider world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  "I had no intention of being a chef, I just opened a restaurant to pay the bills" 01.11.2026 12m

  Food guru Rick Stein joins Brendan to share some of what he's learned since starting out in the business. His new book 'Rick Stein’s Cookery Course' draws on 60 years of cooking, with everything anyone could need to know, including how to joint a rabbit and why he likes his beef from a castrated male!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Watchlist 01.11.2026 10m

  Writer and podcaster Esther O'Moore Donohoe and host of the 'Here and Back Again' podcast Dave O'Callaghan join Brendan to discuss the biggest new shows and films this week. Their previews include: 'Dexter: Resurrection', 'Nocturne' starring Stephen Graham, 'Wild Horse Nine', 'Primetime' with Robert Pattinson and George Michael: The Faith Tour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Dr Maureen Gaffney - "The biggest predictor of a long and healthy life? Your close relationships. 31.10.2026 28m

  Clinical Psychologist Dr Maureen Gaffney has spent six decades in the world of psychology, writing bestselling books 'Flourishing' and 'Your One Wild and Precious Life'. Her latest book is 'About Life: Notes on Staying Grounded in Unsettled Times', based on lessons she's learned from her personal and professional life on how to live your best life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Hector Ó hEochagáin - "My brain surgery involved scooping around my pituitary gland" 31.10.2026 18m

  Hector Ó hEochagáin joined Brendan to talk about facing brain surgery last summer, having had a small tumour removed. He's marking 30 years of TG4 with his new South American adventure series. HIs latest book, Irish Words for Every Occasion: Conversations in Irish for every day of your life, is the last in a trilogy designed to get people talking rather than worrying about the modh coinníollach. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  "I felt that I got grabbed and hugged by my mother in Knock Basilica" 31.10.2026 31m

  Actor John Connors is starring in the new RTÉ series, The Galway Bay Murders. He talks Brendan through his life and career through the prism of five songs ranging from Patsy Cline to Damien Dempsey to DMX. He also speaks about losing his father to suicide, being segregated into a traveller class in primary school, going to anger management classes as a child, his love of boxing, his close bond with his grandfather and developing religious faith later in life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Twixmas Travel Tips 31.10.2026 8m

  If you feel that Christmas sometimes drags, Communications Consultant and Travel Enthusiast Lisa Regan has travel ideas for breaking up the 'Twixmas' period by taking a break to cities like Paris, Copenhagen, Tallinn or London. Or the potential blue skies in Spanish cities like Malaga or Seville  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Watchlist 25.10.2026 8m

  Zara Hedderman, Arts and Music Journalist, and Brian Lloyd, Freelance entertainment journalist and host of the Screenland Podcast join Brendan to discuss the biggest new shows and films this week. Their previews include: Dr Marie Cassidy Investigates Ireland's Last Witch Trial, Slow Horses, Norm: The Tale of Norm McDonald, The Lowdown, Wildwood, The Devils. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  John Creedon - “I got a crash course in tying laces before boarding school” 25.10.2026 38m

  John Creedon joins Brendan to discuss the five songs that have been there at turning points in his life. He shares a special recording of his late father Con singing. He remembers what Rory Gallagher meant to a generation of Cork teenagers and brings us all back to the styles and sounds of Ireland's discos in the late 70's and early 80'sSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Newspaper Panel 25.10.2026 55m

  Joining Brendan to discuss the main stories in Sunday's newspapers are: Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times. Brenda Power Columnist with The Daily Mail and the Sunday Times. Hazel Chu, Deputy Leader of the Green party and Dublin City Councillor, and Larry Donnelly law lecturer, NUIG & Legal Counsel of Democrats Abroad. Updates from Tel Aviv from Channel 4's Matt Frei. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Newspaper Panel 25.10.2026 55m

  Joining Brendan to discuss the main stories in Sunday's newspapers are: Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times. Brenda Power Columnist with The Daily Mail and the Sunday Times. Hazel Chu, Deputy Leader of the Green party and Dublin City Councillor, and Larry Donnelly law lecturer, NUIG & Legal Counsel of Democrats Abroad. Updates from Tel Aviv from Channel 4's Matt Frei. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.