Brendan O'Connor
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.Social links:
Follow the podcast:
"Sitting with Manchán while his soul left his body was life-changing"
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 …
27:17
Anthony Scaramucci - "I simply got seduced by the power"
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…
15:19
“Nikita has empowered other survivors to get support”
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.
10:01
Nikita Hand - “I tried to fight but I couldn’t overpower somebody like him”
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 f…
39:21
The Newspaper Panel
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…
54:37
The Watchlist
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 challenge…
11:47
How to warm up like a pro
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.
09:37
Caitlin Moran - "We wouldn’t eat ‘doom-cake’, why do we ‘doom-scroll’??"
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'.
25:45
Brendan O'Connor - 13th September 2026
Dearbhail McDonald presents a live stimulating mix of news, interviews, reports and discussion.
1:56:50
President Trump - "A united Ireland would be a very cool thing"
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 a…
1:06:51