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
July 6, 2025 • 10 mins
Freelance Culture Journalist, Zara Hedderman and Host of the Extra Vision Podcast, Andy McCarroll, give their big and small screen recommendations for the week ahead.
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July 6, 2025 • 10 mins
In the week that the Dalai Lama marked his 90th official birthday [and confirmed his future reincarnation], Brendan marks the occasion by chatting to Denis Staunton, Irish Times China Correspondent, about how the new Dalai Lama will be located, what the role involves, and why we might soon have TWO Dalai Lamas.
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July 6, 2025 • 31 mins
Best-selling author Joseph O’Connor joins Brendan to talk about his theory that 1975 was a seminal moment for music. The socio-economic and historic moments that informed this year which saw monumental, groundbreaking albums released from Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, ABBA, Patti Smith and the significant influence they had on music.
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July 6, 2025 • 54 mins
Joining Brendan to dissect the Sunday papers are Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent, The Irish Examiner, Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor in the European University Institute, David W. Higgins, Economist and Dr. Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh, Doctor and Columnist with the Irish Independent.
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July 5, 2025 • 7 mins
Eileen Dunne-Creszenci gives Brendan a tour of the dishes that make an Italian summer from a simple melon starter to flavourful pasta salads and the zingy delight of a sgroppino cocktail.
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July 5, 2025 • 7 mins
Fresh off the boat from an Irish language course on Inis Meáin, travel writer,Thom Breathnach, talks holidays where you learn something new. He told Brendan about DIY and construction courses at Common Knowledge in Co Clare; a blacksmithing course at Hot Milk Forge in North Antrim; and a wild tea foraging tour with Two Green Shoots in Glengarriff.
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July 5, 2025 • 32 mins
Steve Wall shares five songs that changed his world, the influence and power of Rory Gallagher, the excitement of the Beatles. He talks about the songs that sowed the seeds of the formation of The Stunning, how art and artistry has changed in Ireland and the new phase of his life as an actor.
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July 5, 2025 • 8 mins
Founder of the fansite OasisWTS Gareth Dunleavy gives Brendan his verdict on the opening night of the Oasis reunion tour, Live ‘25 at the Cardiff Principality Stadium and his thoughts on the reuniting Gallagher brothers.
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July 5, 2025 • 10 mins
A trend with Leaving Cert holidays seems to be parents letting their kids go on holidays, on condition that they allow their parents to track their location during the holiday. Cyberpsychology lecturer at IADT, and co-host of the ‘In Bits’ podcast, Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton, chatted with Brendan about the rights and wrongs of tracking technology.
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July 5, 2025 • 30 mins
Best friends, comedian PJ Gallagher and writer Stefanie Preissner join Brendan to talk about the bond they have developed through their adulthood, the unique intimacy and value of platonic relationships, how humour sustained them and how they managed to navigate the difficult moments of their lives together.
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June 29, 2025 • 10 mins
Irish Times Arts Journalist, Nadine O'Regan, and John Maguire, film critic with the Business Post give Brendan their recommendations for the best T.V. and films to watch for the week ahead.
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June 29, 2025 • 5 mins
With the announcement this week that Dune director Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond film, Cara O'Doherty, film critic and Bond fan, explores what he might do with Bond and questions do we even care about Bond anymore
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June 29, 2025 • 33 mins
LGBTQ+ activist, journalist and DJ Tonie Walsh talks to Brendan about the songs that soundtrack his life. He recalls his 'lyrical childhood' and speaks about the transgressive power of simply dancing as a gay man at the Hirschfeld Centre. And he reflects on the challenges still faced by the gay community today.
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June 29, 2025 • 50 mins
Joining Brendan to dissect the Sunday Papers are Mary Hannafin, Barrister and former Fianna Fail Minister for Education; Scott Lucas, Professor of US and International politics at the Clinton Institute UCD; Lorna Fitzpatrick, Communications Consultant, and Oisín Coghlan, Public Policy Advisor.
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June 28, 2025 • 7 mins
Chef and Influencer Trisha Lewis gives Brendan tips on how to meal prep like a pro without sacrificing taste and she introduces Brendan to the Weetabix cheesecake!
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June 28, 2025 • 8 mins
Registered Dietician Sarah Keogh demystifies minerals and explains how a food-first approach can help us feel energised and well.
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June 28, 2025 • 29 mins
Psychotherapist Richard Hogan on what causes rage, what it's doing to our bodies and our minds and what to do when you lose your cool.
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June 28, 2025 • 5 mins
Caroline Casey, Water Safety Development with Cork County Council has a practical tips on how to stay safe in the water this summer.
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June 28, 2025 • 14 mins
As he prepares to leave the region, Alistair Bunkall speaks to Brendan about his four years as Sky News Middle East Correspondent. He describes the challenges for journalists in conveying the scale of devastation in Gaza without independent access.
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June 28, 2025 • 26 mins
Graham Norton talks to Brendan about selling his New York home, his new ITV1 show, getting back to West Cork every summer, being in San Francisco when the AIDS epidemic broke out, why Julia Roberts has true star quality, and how he's sporting a new shoulder. His latest novel 'Frankie' is just out in paperback.
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