Brendan O'Connor

Joining Brendan to look at the best films and TV shows available this week are Executive Director of the Dublin International Film Festival, Grainne Humphreys and host of the Screenland podcast, Brian Lloyd. Their choices include ‘The Girl in the Water’, ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ and a new adaptation of ‘Little House on the Prairie’.

Fashion stylist and personal shopper, Cathy O’Connor, joins Brendan with some top tips on holiday packing. She has strategies for organising your clothes, embracing ‘the slow pack’, and not filling your suitcase with things you won’t actually wear.

Musician and broadcaster, Tom Dunne, joins Brendan to celebrate the iconic soundtrack from Danny Boyle’s 1996 hit film Trainspotting. The album included songs by Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Pulp and Underworld.

Joining Brendan to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Director of Public Affairs at Consello and former Fianna Fáil TD, Lisa Chambers; political editor of the Irish Times, Pat Leahy; Head of Social Justice and Policy at SVP, Louise Bayliss; security analyst, Declan Power and University of Galway law lecturer, Larry Donnelly.

Chef and Owner of the Seafood Café and CEO of Sustainable Seafood Ireland, Niall Sabongi, tells Brendan how to get the best out of crabs, lobster, clams and mussels. He shares his recipes for Dublin Bay prawns with a homemade lemon mayo, oysters and a classic moules marinière.

Judie Lopes, mother of Crumlin-born Cape Verde defender – and Shamrock Rovers’ captain – Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes tells Brendan about the biggest game in her son’s career, against reigning World Cup champions, Argentina. RTE Sports reporter Tony O’Donoghue puts Cape Verde’s achievement in context.

The multi award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Enda Walsh – whose film credits include ‘Disco Pigs’, ‘Hunger’ and ‘Small Things Like These’ - joins Brendan to discuss the music that has influenced him through the years. He describes moving to Cork, meeting a young Cillian Murphy. His music choices include songs by Bjork and David Bowie.

Niall Moyna, Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology from the School of Health and Human Performance in DCU, explains how that heart attack at age 60 could have started when you were 20-years-old, but that it’s never too late to start working on your exercise and nutrition. He also discusses biological age tests.

Looking for some great books for your summer holidays? Broadcaster Bryan Dobson, author Emer McLysaght, and actor Jason O’Mara all join Brendan to discuss what makes the perfect summer read and recommend some of their all-time favourites.

Joining Brendan to discuss the week’s film and TV highlights are Nadine O’Regan, Features Writer with the Irish Times and Michael Doherty, Movie Editor of the RTE Guide. They talk about the ‘Legally Blonde’ prequel, ‘Elle’; Réabhlóid Mheiriceá - Na Laochra Gael on TG4 and ‘The Invite’ amongst many more.

It’s reported Taylor Swift has booked out Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden next weekend. Is it for her wedding? Would she really get married in a windowless sports stadium? Or is it just smoke and mirrors? Pop culture journalist and self-confessed Swiftie, Fionnuala Jones, dissects it all with Brendan.

Writer Ann Ingle and Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry in Trinity College Dublin, talk about the important conversations to have with your parents, especially if they’re older. They discuss how to suss out your parents’ receptiveness, how to have the chats, what to talk about and whether it’s okay if some family secrets go to the grave.

Joining Brendan to discuss the big stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Liz Carolan, publisher of TheBriefing.ie; Economist, David W. Higgins; Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent at the Irish Examiner; and Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute.

Caryna Camerino, from the Camerino Bakery, tells Brendan how to make the viral dot cake, and why this cake-in-a-cup has become such a hit with the next generation of bakers.

LED Facemasks are all the rage at the moment, but what are their benefits and what are the other skincare gadgets on the market and do they actually work? Consultant Dermatologist, Prof Caitriona Ryan from the Institute of Dermatologists talks Brendan through the electronic and non-electronic skincare gadgets she’d recommend.

Novelist, Ian Rankin talks to Brendan about the story of his life through the prism of five songs that have a special meaning for him. He talks about his son who lives with Angelman's Syndrome, why he’s glad he wasn’t an overnight success story and the complex life of a writer being so absorbed in another fictional world.

Poet Enda Wyley has selected some seasonal poems to read that complement the weather and the summer. Poems such as ‘This Morning’ by Moya Cannon; ‘Inniskeen’ Road by Patrick Kavanagh; ‘Strawberries’ by Edwin Morgan and Jean O’Brien’s ‘Skinny Dipping’.

Irishwoman Ann Lane was on board the MV Hondius on which three people died from Hantavirus infection. Ann came out of her isolation period this week and tells Brendan about her six Antarctic expeditions, the horror of fellow passengers starting to die aboard the MV Hondius, the relief of not contracting Hantavirus and how she navigated isolation.

Joining Brendan to discuss the week’s film and TV highlights are podcast hosts Sarina Bellissimo, of ‘The Bellissimo Files’, and Dave O’Callaghan, of ‘There and Back Again’. Among their choices are ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘House of the Dragon’ and Graham Norton’s exclusive interview with Madonna – ‘Madonna and Graham’.

Author Edel Coffey joins Brendan to discuss the enduring wit and insight of author Nora Ephron, best remembered as the writer of iconic rom-coms: ‘When Harry Met Sally’, ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and ‘Sleepless in Seattle’.

Entrepreneur and journalist, Mark Little, joins Brendan to reflect on the AI hype cycle, the concentration of power in the hands of a few tech companies, and the staggering amounts of money being poured into this fast moving industry. He also gives his predictions and recommendations for improvement over the next three years.

Joining Brendan to discuss the big stories in Sunday’s newspapers are director of stroke services, at Tallaght Hospital, Professor Rónán Collins; political correspondent with The Irish Examiner, Louise Burne; professor of politics at DCU, Donnacha Ó Beacháin; columnist, Brenda Power; and Irish Times London correspondent, Mark Paul.

Whether you’re prepping for a picnic, or sending your kids off to summer camp, Chef Shane Smith joins Brendan to discuss some delicious – and safe – ways to pack a bit more into your packed lunch.

Certified Financial Planner, Leah McMahon joins Brendan to discuss the financial cultures in different groups. How do you navigate a meal out, hen party, or family event where you’re expected to spend more than is comfortable for you?

Ireland’s most successful male swimmer ever, Daniel Wiffen joins Brendan to discuss his path to Olympic victory, his training regime and the music that gets him through it all - including one Christmas song!