Sunday with Miriam

The former IRA activist and MEP has written her autobiography ‘Choosing the Struggle’; it details her life from growing up in the Bogside, to Brixton prison and to the European Parliament.

The Derry comedian (creator of Mammy Banter and sketch-filled clips on Tik Tok/Instagram) is bringing her one-woman show 'Factory Settings' to the Edinburgh Fringe . She also talks about anxiety and ADHD in her work and how her perspective on life changed after the deaths of her father and two brothers Official website: serenaterry.com

The 20-year old spoken-word poet talks about bringing both her Traveller and Nigerian backgrounds into her work, being mentored by Felispeaks, the themes in her work and integrating the Irish language where she can Instagram: @scriobh.si

The social media personality/podcaster talks about being 'The Galway Player', meeting his wife online and marrying just before her death to cancer and now rebuilding his life Helplines: galwayhospice.ie / cancer.ie

Chat with the 8-time Dublin All-Ireland winner - a sports psychologist and performance coach, he’s also an ambassador for the GAA/GPA 'Ahead of the Game’ initiative to help youngsters in the game with their mental health and resilience Further details: Learning.gaa.ie/Movember or kevmcperformance.ie

Chat and live music with an exciting young talent from Belfast, who's been making a name for himself in Bozeman, Montana for the last few years. He'll be touring Ireland in September Instagram @chrisboldtmusic (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

The partner of the late Lyra McKee talks about the Lyra she knew, their plans for the future, that fateful night in Derry and their reaction to the recent verdict (three men were found not guilty of the journalists' murder in 2019)

Chat with the musician about moving to a more contemplative style, merging mental health practices and music and his own personal experiences which now inform his attitude to life Official website: www.niallbreslin.com (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

The singer songwriter chats about his roots in rural Tipperary, pausing teaching to pursue a career in music, playing with Amble, writing and recording an album 'The First Telling’ Official website: seaniebermingham.com (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

As she approaches retirement, the long-time journalist chats about her family background and growing up in Dublin, her route into journalism and the RTÉ Newsroom, those infamous “unnecessary journeys” and ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Remembering her sister Eileen Rushe, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer, campaigned fiercely and died in 2021 aged 35. She also talks about redundancy, employment and parenthood, her own health issues and starting her consulting business

The DJ, podcaster and beauty editor chats about the huge changes in her life in the past few years – coming out as gay, marriage separation, weight loss and a new career as a podcaster with ‘Catch Up with Louise McSharry’

The crime writer explains why she found the Japanese phenomenon of Johatsu so fascinating (people who intentionally disappear) and wanted to use it in her latest novel ‘Never To Be Found’. She also chats about the difference between writing fiction and being a script writer and prolific tv screenwriter

An update with the young man whose dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer are coming true. He's finished his studies with English National Ballet School and has just been accepted to their prestigious Graduate Artists Programme (which he'll hopefully fund with Go Fund Me)

The presenter/influencer/podcaster will be judging the Dubai Duty Free Best Dressed in the Curragh next Sunday. She chats about expecting baby number 4, experiencing miscarriage, interior design and dealing with social media commentary on her private life

The singer talks about adjusting to life after the death of his partner Ciara from cancer, working as lead singer with The Swing Cats and his own musical career aspirations

The singer/songwriter chats about the role of Australia in his music – where he recorded his new album ‘Oceanic’ and where he makes his acting debut in the film ‘Almost With You’ (he plays a touring musician dealing with grief in a remote coastal town)

The highly-respected broadcaster (who spent 31 years at the helm of BBC’s Newsnight) will be a guest at the upcoming Hinterland Festival in Kells, 25th – 28 June. She chats about her Scottish upbringing, a career in journalism, preparing for high-profile interviewees and life beyond the news studio

Chat with musical and life partners Kieran McGuinness and Emily Aylmer about meeting when they were both in other bands, their songwriting process, Kieran tracing his birth mother and preparing for an upcoming album/tour Instagram: @drivensnowmusic (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

Chat with a woman whose memoir ‘Unwitnessed’ chronicles growing up in a Jehovah’s Witness family, the strict regulations it imposed on her life and why it is now a faith she no longer belongs to

Some years ago the presenter/producer took on the challenge of losing weight, achieving mountain-climbing goals and writing ‘One Foot In Front of the Other’. But then life changed when she became a full-time carer for her dad, she subsequently had a heart attack, is waiting for a hip operation and is working on another book

Chat with the Irish author about her latest thriller ‘All Of Them Lied’, set in Italy which explores themes of deception, friendship and caring. She also chats about her father's career as a chaplain and her own years as a teacher.

Chat with Paul Cleary about the career highs for The Blades in the 1980s, his own songwriting for other artists and getting the band back together. They tour the country later this year. Instagram: @thebladesbandofficial (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

The actor/mimic/comedian chats about discovering mimicry, a talent for singing inherited from both parents, his father who developed dementia, the death of his brother Fiachra and the Aprés Match glory days. His new solo comedy show is called ‘Out of His Head' Tour details: risteardcooper.com

Keith and his son Jay feature in this season of ‘Uncharted with Ray Goggins’, which for them meant climbing Mount Stanley in Uganda. He chats about the physical and mental toll of it, reinventing himself from singer to actor, his daughter Mia and performing again with Boyzone in their farewell gig in London

Chat with the mother of Donal Walsh, who had a terminal cancer diagnosis but made such an impact when he appealed to teenagers to value life and alternatives to suicide. The book ‘I Am Me: The Donal Walsh Story’ is a mixture of Elma’s thoughts, Donal’s own writings and the testimonials of people who've beem touched by what he had to say.

The founders of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (helping bereaved families bring the bodies of their loved-ones home from abroad), explain the impact on their lives of losing their son, how their world has opened up and securing the charity into the future Kevin Bell Trust: https://kbrtrust.com

The former Irish Navy captain explains what she learned from her years in service, losing her son Ciarán a week after his birth and life after leaving the forces. She tells her story in her memoir ‘Be Like The Sea: Life, Learnings and Leadership From An Irish Navy Captain’

In a wide-ranging conversation the three-time Eurovision winner chats about family background, his early start in music business, Eurovision success, career trajectory and life abroad. He plays Vicar Street on Saturday August 22 (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

Chat with the two authors who have just published their new novel 'Our Deadly Summer', featuring a pair of friends and their adventures on a J1 summer in Long Island. They also chat about their working partnership, their own J1 summer experiences and Emer explains how her recent ADHD diagnosis has impacted her life.

The author chats about the lives she and her Church of Ireland minister husband were having in Belfast in their thirties, when incredibly they were both diagnosed with MS. They spent a year travelling Europe in a camper van, which she chronicles in her book ‘One Year’ (published by Gill)

The author chats about her previous career and her latest novel ‘Other People’s Lives’, where she turns her gaze on marriage and our other people’s relationships. She also talks about the writings of her grandmother Mary Lavin, and support in the writing world.

The chef chats about his life-long love of art, his sculptor grandparents and being one of the ‘Incognito Art’ artists, the fundraising online art auction for the Jack & Jill Foundation To view the collection: www.incognito.ie

Live music and chat with the musicians and long-time collaborators, who are about to release their third album, called ‘Mise Tusa’. (for coyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

The radio & tv presenter and children’s author has just written her first novel for adults. Called ‘The Mini Breakers’, she admits it is very loosely based on her own group of friends. She also chats about her own very varied broadcasting career.

The former Kerry football captain explains how finding a book in a skip led him to trace the story of Patrick M. Foley, a writer from Dingle, who went to the United States in 1909, where he died mysteriously. The documentary ‘Rian na Fola' will air on RTÉ One on Monday 4 May.

The author and UL Emeritus Professor explains the story behind her novel ‘Something Bigger’ - the death of Jimmy Coyle, an Irish priest in 1920’s America who had stood up to and spoken out against the Ku Klux Klan in Birmingham, Alabama

The Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross retired this week. Ordained in 1984, he’s been a Bishop since 1999 - the same year he officiated at the marriage of the Beckhams. He discusses being a true Corkonian, family support and the challenges and future for the Church of Ireland

Chat with the former politician who is one of the ambassadors of the Bealtaine festival this year. The discussion ranges from positive ageing, writing, family background and being a grandparent, studying for a PhD and why the concept of ‘fading away’ should be outlawed

The Irish actor chats about playing comedic roles in tv series like 'The Dry’ (which is coming back soon for a third and final series), as well as tougher roles like ‘Babies’ on BBC One. She also chats about her own path into an acting career, beginning with theatre, and never taking work for granted.

The acclaimed Irish soprano brings her show ‘Songs of Inspiration and Hope’ to venues around the country in May. She chats about living in Ireland while still having an international career, why she chose these particular songs and her own personal faith

In a wide-ranging interview the solicitor discusses living with alopecia universalis, which initially started in a small way in college. For her, it's not the worst thing that could have happened and she explains how she has chosen to accept it.

The senior camogie player for Dublin recently opened-up about her diagnosis with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and she chats about how it impacts on her sporting life and why she decided to go public about such a personal condition

The investigative journalist discusses the subject of his latest book 'London Falling' - Zac Brettner, a young man who fell to his death in 2019 from the balcony of a luxury apartment block in London. He had been in the company of a violent criminal and his parents have been searching ever since for answers about what caused his tragic death.

The novelist/journalist talks about the theme of her latest novel ‘Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone’- fame, family and the dark side of child stardom. She also discusses her own experiences with being in the public eye, eating disorders, social media and the impossibly high standards expected of women.

The singer/songwriter chats about following her dad (the late Christy Dignam of Aslan) into a career in music and preparing for an upcoming gig in the Grand Social, Dublin Instagram: @kieradignam (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

The Belfast-born comedian is bringing his new stand-up show ‘You Can’t Say Nothing Anymore’ to The Gaiety in Dublin in October this year. He chats about growing up in Belfast, being an Irishman in London, risqué comedy and his parenting podcast with Mike Rice Details: https://vittorioangelone.com/

The documentary ‘The Charlie O’Leary Story’ looks at the glory days of Irish football under Jack Charlton. One member of the back-room team was particularly interesting to the film-makers - diminutive Dubliner and kit man, Charlie O’Leary, whose own decades of service to the game had never been told before Screening: www.fivelampsarts.ie

Chat and live music with the Kells band who are now a 3-piece (Niamh Farrell, Podge McNamee and Brian Darcy) and are going on acoustic tour in May Website: www.hamsandwichmusic.com (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

The new presenter of ‘The Great House Revivial’ talks about the difficult decision to continue the series after the untimely death of his good friend Hugh Wallace. He also talks about his own home refurbishments, navigating being single again and looking after his own mental health

Chat with the UK comedian about why she decided to change careers into comedy in her mid-40's, after advice from Joan Rivers. She is also a podcaster and she explains the message in her latest book ‘Namaste Mother-F-ers' Official site: https://callybeaton.com

The Co Down native (and principal dancer with The Royal Ballet in London) chats about finding her vocation very early in life. She brings 'Melissa Hamilton's Ballet Stars Gala' to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in May Details: www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

Two years ago, Bryan Murray and Úna Crawford O’Brien explained how they dealt with Brian’s Alzheimers diagnosis. Seven years since that diagnosis, things have changed a lot for the couple and Brian is now in full-time residential care

Chat and live music from the folk duo from Donegal, who perform under the name Without Willow Official website: https://withoutwillow.com/ (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

The Ireland AM presenter discusses why the loss of loved-ones to cancer prompted him to be a Daffodil Day Ambassador and how losing his parents at an early age affected his outlook on life

Chat with the actress about her latest role in the Irish film 'Spilt Milk', her own career trajectory and her plans for the future

Live music and chat with sisters Étáin and Máire Ní Churraoin, about growing up in a non-traditional gaeltacht area, musical crossover and continuing Ireland's musical heritage Website: www.ancheadghluineile.com (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

Daughter of the playwright Seán O’Casey talks about her father’s legacy, her own life and career, the loss of her brothers, and the centenary production of ‘The Plough and the Stars’ in The Abbey Theatre

Leitrim sean-nós dancer is bringing back the glory days of the dance hall - including moral warnings from church and state - and the Gralton Big Band at the National Concert Hall on Saint Patrick’s Day

the three voices from the Irish country music scene are joining forces under the title ‘A Night At The Opry’, which is touring this month (accompanied by Ray McLoughlin on keyboard and Ciaran Sheerin on guitar they perform ‘Here At The Grand Ole Opry’ and a medley of ‘The Coalminer’s Daughter, 14-Carat Mind and Help Me Make It Through the Night’)

The Northern Irish singer-songwriter chats about the vibrant music scene in Belfast now, coping with grief, his new album ‘It’s Not Going To Be OK’ and a Choice music award nomination (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

In a wide-ranging interview the singer chats about getting back into the dating scene, what pushed her to pursue a career in singing in her 40’s, her experience in the X Factor machine and handling her own mental health/depression

The American author, who has been living in Ireland for 27 years, brings both those cultures to her new novel ‘Saoirse’. She chats about growing up in a family of 8 children, the Irish connection on her mother’s side, always wanting to be a writer, dealing with the death of parents and why she chose to settle in Donegal.

The former 2FM DJ talks about how she lost everything to alcoholism, being homeless and only when she hit rock bottom did she realise she needed the help of others.

The poet/writer from Cork chats about his love of writing from an early age, putting his writing into the public sphere and his very supportive parents (he reads two of his poems ‘If I Ever Have Boys’ and ‘If I Ever Have Girls’) Instagram: @daraghfleming

The former teacher has gained a significant following online for her no-nonsense cooking tutorials from her own kitchen. Known as ‘Irish Mammy Cooks’, her first cookbook has just been published (by Gill) Instagram: @irishmammycooks

The Chair of Evolutionary Genetics in Trinity College and the Government Science Advisor talks about her own route into science, the marrying of science, politics and religion and why she is passionate about encouraging girls to take up this career

The tenor and classical crossover artist chats about growing up in working-class Manchester, his career really taking off after first performing at football matches and serious health scares like vocal chord polyps and two brain tumours. He will be back in Ireland to perform in May 2026. Official website: https://russellwatson.com/

The former gaelic footballer and Crossfit champion from Co Down chats about his sporting career and why the tv show Heated Rivalry prompted him to publicly come out as gay

In his first RTÉ radio interview since leaving the station in 2023, Ryan Tubridy addresses the payments controversy, the elements of the débacle that he feels responsible for (and the ones he doesn't), how it impacted on his friendships and family and continuing a broadcasting career in London.

Live music and chat with Téada, who this month celebrate their 25th anniversary. Tristan Rosenstock, Oisín Mac Diarmada and Paul Finn chat about the evolution of their sound, playing with the late Séamus Begley, signing to Gael Linn, collaborations and travelling abroad. Official website: https://teada.com

Almost fifty years since the Sallins train robbery, one of those wrongfully convicted Osgur Breatnach is still campaigning for justice. His brother Cormac has organised a campaign benefit concert in Vicar Street at the end of March Campaign website: sallinsinquirynow.ie Concert tickets: vicarstreet.com

The author of the novel ‘Brigid’ explains why she wanted to re-tell the story of St Brigid in ‘all her messy complexity’

Chat with the actor/musician (aka Jimmy Rabbitte) about his early start in music as a teenager in the 1980s and getting the role in the Alan Parker film. He is bringing his band on tour to celebrate 35 years of The Commitments Tour details: robertarkinscommitments.com

Miriam catches up with the composer, as he prepares for his live show on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, in a week where he also travelled to Cork for cancer treatment; he talks about the uphill health battle he is facing

Chat with the co-writer/co-star of the Irish-Canadian tv series ‘SisterS’, which returns next week for a second season. She also chats about her own fertility journey and being a mother in her 40’s and her upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness

Chat and live music with Qbanaa (aka Elizabeth Qbanaa) about her upbringing in Dublin city, her love of music and always staying connected to her Cuban roots Website: https://qbanaaofficial.com (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

The Irish Times columnist has a very personal interest in the new film ‘Giant’, because it is her uncle Brendan Ingle (who is played by Pierce Brosnan) who trained the boxer Prince Naseem Hamed before a sad falling out between them once the boxer hit the big time

In a wide-ranging interview, the actor chats about leaving the Gaiety Theatre panto after many years playing the Dame, his Dublin upbringing and looking forward to doing new things. His story is being told in the upcoming documentary ‘Behind The Curtain’

Chat with the son of the iconic Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe (who passed away last November), on the challenges ahead since being announced as his father’s successor as Creative Director of the fashion brand

The two friends chat about their new joint venture, the podcast ‘Grey Matters’ which explores - honestly, insightfully, humorously — what it means to grow older in Ireland today

The singer/songwriter will be in conversation with comedian Deirdre O’Kane tonight at the Abbey Theatre, in the First Fortnight Festival. He talks about his own mental health difficulties over the years, initially triggered by a bad acid trip. He found the book ‘Essential Help For Your Nerves’ by Dr Claire Weekes very helpful.

The two actors chat about their roles in the new film ‘Giant’, the story of world champion boxer Prince Naseem Hamed and his Irish trainer Brendan Ingle

A selection of some of the many interesting guests who came through the studio during the past year - Brendan Gleeson, Rosie O'Donnell, Julian Benson, Fr Paul Murphy, Joanne McNally, Donie O'Sullivan, Eunice Power, Adele King and Penny Lancaster

A selection of some of the many musical acts featured on the show during the past year - Ryan McMullan, Beoga, Ye Vagabonds, Cormac Begley & Liam O'Connor, Derek Ryan, Zoe Basha, Mick Flannery and Dani Larkin (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during these interviews cannot be podcast)

Sister Stanislaus Kennedy – known to us all as Sister Stan – passed away in November. Her final book was ‘Sacred Stillness: A Book of Meditations from the Sanctuary’. Two people who teach there regularly are Brother Richard Hendrick and Jane Negrych and they remember their friend and colleague, and the legacy she left

The married comedians explain how they'll be spending Christmas, as they prepare for the festive season in An Daingean in Kerry

Some top tips from the chef for how to stay in control in the kitchen at Christmas. Eunice's latest book, 'My Kitchen Table', also contains some lovely seasonal recipes

Over 300 members of the 127th Infantry Battalion are on deployment with UNIFIL in Lebanon this Christmas and some members of the battalion recorded greetings to send to their families back home....

Chat with the actor/presenter about juggling a very busy career: he’s currently on the big screen alongside Ethan Hawke and Andrew Scott in ‘Blue Moon’, presenting every weekend on Lyric fm, and his busy home life as a father of four

Chat with the two women who are being honoured this year by Dublin’s North East inner city for their community work, an award that is presented every Nollaig na mBan/January 6th (pic: Bernie on left beside Miriam, Paula on right beside Miriam) Official website: https://nollaignamban.ie Paula's photography: www.paulatnolanphotography.com

Live music and chat with Liam Ó Maonlaí, Fiachna Ó Braonáin and Peter O’Toole, who this year are celebrating 40 years together as a band. Official site: https://hothouseflowers.com (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)

The screenwriter and director talks about celebrating the release of his movie, the rom-com ‘Eternity’, at the same time as undergoing life-saving treatment for an aggressively benign brain tumour

The actor Fiadhnait and writer/director Anna talk about their new short film ‘Grace’ (part of the RTÉ Storyland series), centred on a young woman with Down's Syndrome, navigating the complexities of adulthood, independence and first love