Sunday with Miriam

Meriel Schindler explains how her father's stories about growing up Jewish in Nazi-era Austria inspired her to write "The Lost Café Schindler" (published by Hodder & Stoughton)

Chat and live music from Declan O'Rourke, whose latest album 'Arrivals' has just been released to great acclaim

Chat with Imelda about her family, musical path and guiding principles; her new album '11 Past The Hour' has just been released

Chat with Iarla and Steve about their roots and musical collaboration through the years

Irish soprano Claudia Boyle, who performs live and explains how you can get a bespoke private concert streamed into your home

Egyptian-American writer Mona Eltahawy discusses her philosophies on what women shouldn't be afraid to do, to stand up to male oppression

The Irish Times columnist Rosita Boland writes about her experiences of severe loneliness and isolation during lockdown

Armagh SDLP councillor Pete Byrne discusses the recent debate on gay conversion therapy in the NI Assembly and what it was like for him to come out as gay in Northern Ireland

Impressionist Conor Moore in studio for a chat, with some of his sporting characters

Musicians Iarla Ó Lionáird and Steve Cooney perform live to mark the 80th birthday of President Michael D Higgins

Great stories from Alan McGee, about founding Creation Records and signing some of the biggest bands of the 20th century

Garry Hynes and Colm Tóibín explain their collaboration on a new Druid work celebrating the life and work of poet Eavan Boland

James Vincent McMorrow introduces his forthcoming album ‘Grapefruit Season’ with a live performance of ‘Waiting’

Chris Sherlock has written about his experiences of severe bullying as a teenager in a chapter in the book 'Mental Health for Millenials, Vol 4' (published by BookHub)

Musician-turned-physicist Brian Cox talks about the latest scientific discoveries and his love for space and the cosmos. His show Horizons: A 2021 Space Odyssey comes to the 3Arena Dublin in October

An extract from legendary opera singer and teacher Veronica Dunne's last visit to the Sunday with Miriam studio, in 2014

Carl Corcoran discusses the works he has co-created, 'Reflexionem' and 'The Phoenix' which will premiere at the MusicTown 2021 festival in Dublin next weekend

Chat and live music from John Spillane and Pauline Scanlon; latest album is 100 Snow White Horses

Coleraine actress Bronagh Waugh chats about her career; she is part of Tourism Northern Ireland's audio initiative "Soothing Stories" to take listeners through the northern landscape

Writer & theologian John Scally reflects on his Easter memories, included in his latest collection "Inspiration For All Seasons"

Nancy Hollander, international human rights lawyer whose story is told in the film "The Mauritanian", in which Jodie Foster plays Nancy defending Guantanamo inmate Mohamedou Ould Slahi

Author Siobhán Parkinson and her son Matthew Parkinson Bennett talk about how the grief of losing her stillborn child Daniel inspired her to write a guide to explaining grief to young children

In the wake of Daffodil Day, sports writer Kieran Cunningham remembers his brother Paddy who died from cancer aged 26

Mezzo-Soprano Aebh Kelly tells us about herself and the Feis Ceoil, before performing an aria from Studio 8, accompanied by Adam McDonagh on piano.

After a record-setting week at Cheltenham, Rachael Blackmore's mother talks to Miriam about the origins of her daughter's talents and the reaction in Killenaule, Co. Tipperary, to her astonishing run at the festival.

The husband-and-wife team join the show to discuss lockdown life as performers and projects that are keeping them going.

Miriam chats with the singer, who has released more than 70 albums, originated the role of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and dated some of the biggest names in music.

Journalist Paddy Murray looks back on over 40 years working in the Irish press, living with Stage 4 COPD over the last year and his new memoir.

Survivor of the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home, Noelle Brown joins the programme to discuss the Abbey Theatre's streaming of Home: Part One this week, which is a project that will present the voices of survivors of these institutions on a national stage.

Miriam chats to young singer-songwriter Davie Furey about his new album, what inspires him and what he's been up to over the past year. He also performs two tracks from his new album - Who Am I and Farewell Returning Blues.

The London-born singer-songwriter and ex-wife of footballer-turned-TV pundit Jamie Redknapp, shares the lessons she's learned through life in the public eye since her early teens.

Journalist and podcaster Sophie White talks about her essay entitled 'Drunk Mother' in which she outlines with unflinching honesty her personal battle against alcoholism as a young mother.

35-year-old single mum Eileen, who is terminally ill with cervical cancer, chats to Miriam following the apology from a Louth hospital for their failure to properly investigate and treat her condition and her plans to provide for her 14-year-old son Seamus after her death.

The Oscar, Bafta and Palme d'Or winning film producer, educationalist and Labour peer Lord David Puttnam chats to Miraiam about his life as he turns 80.

Writer, transplant recipient and health reform advocate Orla Tinsley on the campaign to speed-up Covid-19 vaccinations for vulnerable and immuno-compromised people.

RTÉ's Europe Editor Tony Connelly and Ireland's most famous virologist Luke O'Neill on their long friendship and mutual love for performing live music.

Dublin writer Catherine Talbot joins the programme to discuss her debut psychological suspense novel - A Good Father - which explores the phenomenon of coercive control from a male perspective.

Pat Storey, Bishop of Meath and Kildare, chats to Miriam about being Ireland's first and only woman bishop, her senior role in the Church of Ireland and the impact this has upon her life - both positive and negative.

Cork-based writer Trish Kearney joins the programme to discuss her abuse at the hands of swimming coach George Gibney and her new book 'Above Water.'

Singer-songwriter Susan O'Neill on how the last year has treated her and how she has survived such difficult times and we also hear a specially-recorded performance of her most recent single, 'Almost.'

Monaghan native Charlene McKenna checks in just days after revealing the news of her wedding to fellow actor Adam Rothenberg and her new series 'Bloodlands' which begins on BBC One tonight.

Thomas Walsh, Pugwash frontman, chats about the 15th anniversary of their album 'Jollity' as well as his sober life and health issues.

Miriam chats to journalist and broadcaster Daisy Buchanan about her career to date and her debut novel 'Insatiable.'

On the 40th anniversary of the Stardust disaster, Lisa Lawlor, whose parents died in the fire, joins the programme to discuss her new book 'Stardust Baby' and how she is still searching for answers and closure.

Kildare native Dr. Susan Hopkins, Deputy Director of Public Health England, on her role in the UK, Ireland's Covid-19 situation and encouraging young females to study, and work in, STEM.

Miriam speaks to Billy Gaff, one of the biggest names in the UK music industry who managed Rod Stewart and published artists such as The Bee Gees, Status Quo, The Clash and many more during the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s.

Bray locals Karen Cowley and Saoirse Duane are two of the trio who make up ‘Wyvern Lingo' join the programme with two tracks and to discuss lockdown, coping with the last year and what's in store for the future.

Ahead of her trip to Mexico for treatment, Lynsey Bennett reacts to the settlement with the HSE this week and shares the key message she wants to send to young women while her solicitor Gillian O’Mahony outlines the legal impact of the settlement.

Rory O'Neill, Ireland's most famous drag queen Panti Bliss, and producer and director Bill Hughes discuss the period featured in Russell T Davies' new TV show, It's a Sin, and talk to Miriam about living with HIV and the need to continue to raise awareness of AIDS.

Limerick brothers Dan and Barry Murphy join Miriam for a chat and a live-from-home session to perform two songs - their latest single Enough and My Love.

On the eve of St. Brigid's Day, or Imbolc, we hear a prayer to St. Brigid from Moya Brennan, Clare Friel and Aisling Jarvis, ahead of tonight's TG4 special, Ceol Ó Kylemore - Ceiliuradh na mBan.

Miriam pays tribute to the late soprano, who was a regular guest on the show, and plays a recording of Cara performing an aria from Puccini's Tosca for Miriam Meets back in 2010.

Averil Power, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, reacts to the recent report on Mother and Baby Homes, discusses her journey to find her birth parents and explains why adoptees need access to birth certificates in order to secure their identities.

Ahead of the virtual Trad Fest 2021, Limerick singer Emma Langford performs two tracks, her own 'The Winding Way Down to Kells Bay' and a cover of the Janis Ian classic, 'At Seventeen.'

Miriam speaks to one of America's most famous libertarians, journalist and satirist PJ O'Rourke, about last week's inauguration and his call in his most recent book for US politics to return to the middle ground.

An extended interview with former President of Ireland Mary McAleese on her Belfast childhood during the Troubles including a viscous attack on her brother John, working in RTÉ, becoming President and welcoming Queen Elizabeth to Ireland.

Miriam chats to Christy Moore about the early years of his career, his influences, the tough journey that 2020 has been and his hopes for the future post-Covid.

Cellist Gerald Peregrine and photographer Ruth Medjber describe a year of working outside windows, as they responded to the Covid experience and the phenomena of lockdowns, cocoons and quarantines.

The former BBC executive chats to Miriam about how a return from London to help care for her 91-year-old aunt led to a Twitter sensation and a brand new book, chronically the poignant and often funny conversations between two women thrown together during a pandemic.

Author John Scally joins the programme and talks about his latest collection and we also hear from social justice campaigner Fr. Peter McVerry, who wrote a letter to his parents for the book.

The Dublin-born singer-songwriter brings us one of her own tunes, plus the latest single from Irish Women in Harmony, and talks about her guilt at the enforced slow-down during Covid, writing for people like Britney Spears and Niall Horan, and raising awareness of endometriosis.

The parish priest of Knock describes his happiness at welcoming people back to mass this week, how the church has responded to coronavirus, and his reflections on the approaching Christmas season.

The widow and son of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane on the latest hurdle to establishing the full truth behind the death of their loved one, who died in 1989 and whose killing involved state collusion.

The award-winning chef and Meath native gives his perspective on the restaurant trade from London, where he recently opened a new venture called Daffodial Mulligan.

Kildare native and singer songwriter Jack Lukeman joins Miriam for a chat about his new 'Lockdown Sessions' album and performs two tracks - ‘Somehere in my Heart’ and ‘Young at Heart’. He also talks about what he’s missed out on in 2020 and how he’s had to become imaginative in such a tough year for artists.

Leader of the Progressive Unionist Party in Northern Ireland Billy Hutchinson joins the programme to discuss his upbringing in Northern Ireland and his memories of the Troubles as well as his decision to join the UVF.

Singer, songwriter, and actress Paloma Faith discusses her new album ‘Infinite Things’ as well as her experience with post-natal depression and how she’s now expecting another baby.

Actors and siblings Jane and Stephen Brennan outline how they are involved in The Abbey Theatre’s Centenary Commemoration of Bloody Sunday and also their family connection to the event through their Great Uncle Daniel Carroll from Templederry in Co. Tipperary.

Naoise Connolly Ryan speaks to Miriam about her husband Micheál or ‘Mick’ as he was known, who worked with the United Nations before being killed in a plane crash last year. Noise has been fighting for justice for her husband since the Boeing 737 Max, which she says was not safe to fly, crashed and killed all 157 people on board.

Steve Garrigan and Jason Boland of Kodaline join the programme following the launch of the deluxe version of their album ‘One Day At A Time.’ They chat about how 2020 has treated them, how they miss touring and their hopes for the future. They also perform two tracks from the album – ‘Everyone Changes’ and ‘Sometimes.’

In an Irish exclusive, Miriam speaks to CNN’s John King in his first interview since the US Presidential Election. He speaks about his very Irish upbringing in Massachusetts, the marathon of covering the election and how he’s looking forward to coming to Ireland soon.

Broadcaster Keelin Shanley’s husband joins Miriam in studio to discuss his late wife’s book ‘A Light That Never Goes Out’ which Miriam is championing for the An Post Irish Book Awards.

Newry brothers Brendan and Declan Murphy of rock band 'The 4 of Us' chat to Miriam about how 2020 has seen them have to come up with new ways of staying in touch with their fans and perform their tracks 'Washington Down' and 'Sugar Island'.

Art Gallery Owner Oliver Sears and Film Director Lenny Abrahamson discuss what it means to them to be Jewish in Ireland and how the community will commemorate the anniversary of Kristallnacht next week.

Former Minister Katherine Zappone is on the line live from New York City with reaction to Joe Biden’s US Presidential Victory, a campaign which she worked on.

Miriam speaks to the former Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, who has moved back to her native United States and is now a member of the Biden-Harris presidential campaign team.

Cork singer-songwriter Mick Flannery and Vermont artist Anaïs Mitchell collaborate on 'Minnesota’, a song written by Mick during lockdown in reaction to the state of U.S. politics.

Miriam’s nomination for the RTÉ Radio 1 Listeners' Choice Award 2020 is A Light That Never Goes Out: A Memoir by the late Keelin Shanley. You can vote for now online at rte.ie/culture.

To mark the feast of All Saints, Miriam visits Dr Martin at the Archbishop’s House in Drumcondra, to discuss the ongoing challenge of Covid-19, his reflections on a life spent in the priesthood and his plans for his imminent retirement.

Miriam speaks to the writer and broadcaster, Dolly Alderton, whose first novel, Ghosts, is published by Fig Tree.

Seán Cox's wife Martina and daughter Emma join Miriam in studio to talk about their husband and father and how their lives changed forever one day but also how love and hope has gotten them through an extraordinarily tough two years.

Journalist and Author Fionn Davenport, who was born in a Mother and Baby Home shares his story in the wake of new legislation related to the records of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes being passed through the Oireachtas this week.

Northern Irish Illustrator and writer Oliver Jeffers is on the line to discuss what he feels we can learn from 2020 and teach the younger generations in light of surviving this time.

Liam Ledwidge chats to Miriam about his new book 'I Am Somebody' which documents his life from opening Dublin's first ever Gay nightclub to ending up in a South African prison.

Screenwriter and film director Tim Robbins joins the programme to discuss his new audio drama 'Bobbo Supreme' which was an idea he originally had for a movie prior to the coronavirus pandemic which has caused film making to grind to a halt.

Irish singer-songwriter Aoife Scott is in studio to chat about how tough this year has been for all involved in the music industry and tells us about her new song 'Sweet October' which she also performs.

Miriam speaks to Dr. Brigid Quilligan of the Irish Traveller Movement, after they celebrated their 30th anniversary this week, about what they do for members of the Travelling Community, how this group is often misunderstood in Ireland and the barriers she continues to break.

Star of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Strictly Come Dancing Michelle Visage discusses the art of drag and how it has and continues to evolve around the world and also her role of judging the Junk Kouture competition alongside Louis Walsh.

Irish alternative folk singer-songwriter Ronan Kealy who's known as Junior Brother chats to Miriam about how he's been coping during the coronavirus pandemic, the projects he's working on and his upcoming performance at the National Concert Hall.