Brendan O'Connor

Crime writer, Tana French - “Women are socialised to think about predators who see us as prey”

04 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Award-winning crime author Tana French talks about moving around a lot as a child, settling in Ireland at 17, learning the codes and the nuances, her ...

The Ultimate Chocolate Cake this Easter

04 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Pastry Chef and founder of Grá Chocolates, Gráinne Mullins, brings us an easy-to-make three-layer chocolate cake recipe and promises it’ll be the ...

Comedian, Emma Doran - “I’m like a Jack Russell; all bark but really I just want to be up on the couch!”

04 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Emma Doran joins Brendan to talk through key moments in her life and the soundtrack that went alongside them; from becoming pregnant in her l...

European Greenway Holidays “I wouldn’t go on a holiday now that didn’t involve cycling”

04 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ex-Fine Gael TD & current President of Cycling Ireland, Ciaran Cannon, gives tips on embarking on your first European Greenway Holiday. Where to go, w...

Trisha Lewis - “I love myself now, I didn’t love myself 7 years ago”

04 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chef and influencer Trisha Lewis looks back on her transformation journey seven years on and tells Brendan how accepting that this will be a lifelong ...

The Edge on his friend Hal Wilner - “It was our good fortune to know him”

04 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

U2’s The Edge introduces the band’s new song “Song for Hal” which was written to remember their friend Hal Wilner, who died during the pandemi...

Newspaper Panel

29 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to discuss the lead stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: CEO of Spunout and board member of Cybersafe Kids, Sinead Keane; Managing Di...

Rita Ann Higgins: “The witch in me wanted to scramble his eggs”

29 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Writer Rita Ann Higgins tells Brendan about writing one of Ireland’s first 'sexy poems’, what first inspired her and how she is still learning fro...

The Watchlist

29 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to preview the best films and TV shows this week – including The Young Offenders, Saturday Night Live UK and Rory McIlroy: the Maste...

Arrest of controversial influencer Clavicular

29 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Producer with the Irish Independent, and host of the No Encore podcast, Dave Hanratty tells Brendan about the arrest of ‘looksmaxxing’ influencer,...

Colm Tóibín: “After Epstein, I wanted to explore why some people feel no guilt”

28 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Award-winning author, Colm Tóibín, talks to Brendan about his childhood stammer, his wild years in Barcelona, and his latest short-story collection ...

Donal O’Shea: “Everything is salted caramel now: it combines salt, fat and sugar.”

28 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Specialist in obesity, Professor Donal O’Shea outlines how our food environment has become increasingly unhealthy, with an abundance of high fat, sa...

How to ask for a pay rise

28 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Reidy, head of HR Solutions at NFP talks Brendan through how to negotiate a pay rise, and what mistakes to avoid.See omnystudio.com/listener ...

The secrets of making great coffee, at home or at work

28 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Founder and CEO of FiXX Coffee, Anne Abberton, offers Brendan her top tips for making great coffee at home, or at work. Should you grind yourself, or ...

Was this the week the tide turned against social media giants?

28 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week, a 20-year-old in California was awarded six-million dollars after a jury found Meta and Google had intentionally built addictive platforms ...

Stefanie Preissner: “I have six hoovers – and a back-up battery.”

28 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Screenwriter and actor, Stefanie Preissner tells Brendan about her passion for slow vacuuming: how a robot vacuum can redistribute domestic chores, cl...

Newspaper Panel

22 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday newspapers are Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist, Institute of International and European Affairs; Louise Burne, Po...

Richie Sadlier: “I was in this pit of self-pity and anger and loss all wrapped into one”

22 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Footballer, psychotherapist and sports analyst, Richie Sadlier, brings Brendan through his Life in Five Songs, including live performances by Oasis, T...

The Watchlist

22 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to look at the best TV shows and films heading our way this week are Brian Lloyd, Entertainment journalist and host of the Screenland ...

The real-life drama surrounding TV show ‘Love Story’

22 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Disney+ series, Love Story- which follows the story of JFK Junior and his wife Carolyn Bessette- has been provoking conversations about the libert...

John Banville - “Humble items around the house might bring me to tears”

21 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Booker Prize-winner John Banville’s crime novel ‘Christine Falls’ has been chosen as Dublin City Council’s One Dublin One Book choice for 2026...

Dr Richard Hogan: “Guilt & shame have their tentacles in everything”

21 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Psychotherapist, Dr Richard Hogan, on shame and guilt: where these feelings come from; when they change from being healthy to unhealthy; and how we ca...

Carrie Crowley on the joys of sea-swimming

21 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Broadcaster Carrie Crowley on the magic of sea swimming, beginners’ tips, safety tips and why it’s better to be in than out.See omnystudio.com/lis...

“Troy Parrott is just in flying form right now” - Tony O’Donoghue

21 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As we face into potentially the biggest week in Irish soccer for a generation, RTÉ Soccer Correspondent, Tony O’Donoghue, reminds us of the magic o...

Darina Allen: “Risotto is the ultimate stand-by dish”

21 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the ultimate comfort food, so Darina Allen - chef and founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School – gives Brendan a masterclass in Risotto, suggesti...

“This used to be called insider trading!” – the rise of online prediction markets

21 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Online prediction markets are in the news at the moment with people betting big on particular outcomes in global affairs. Liz Carolan, publisher of Th...

Ed Guiney “The car queue lasts around 2 hours to the Oscars”

15 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Guiney, CEO of Element Pictures – who made Room, Normal People and The Favourite – joins Brendan live from Hollywood, where he’s preparing to...

The Newspaper Panel

15 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan are political reporter with the Irish Independent, Aisling Moloney; Commentator and CEO of the Iona Institute, David Quinn; Law Lectur...

“Mam knew she was loved, but I wish I told her more” Édaein O'Connell on grief of losing her mother

15 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

To mark Mother’s Day, freelance journalist Édaein O'Connell tells Brendan about her warm, loving and complex relationship with her late mother, who...

The Watchlist

15 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to look at the best TV shows and films heading our way this St Patrick’s week are broadcaster, Aifric O’Connell and Movie’s Edit...

Mark Little - “Bro culture is infiltrating politics ...and now war”

14 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Entrepreneur and Journalist Mark Little joins Brendan to talk about the how the war in the middle east is unfolding its impacts in the region and arou...

Liz Nugent - “I only ever had bad dreams – I’d wake up thinking I’d murdered someone”

14 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Bestselling and award-winning crime writer Liz Nugent chooses five songs that trigger memories of her life and career. She talks about the enduring im...

Restaurant level fish dishes at home

14 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chef Brian “Danny Minnie” O’ Domhnaill is on hand today to give our home cooking a restaurant level polish. He talks Brendan through recipes, as...

Mr Motivator - “Every minute I’m sad, I’m missing out on 60 seconds of happiness”

14 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The OG fitness influencer Mr Motivator lit up our screens in the 1990s with his charismatic and energetic appeals to get off the couch and get moving....

RTE Sport’s Jacqui Hurley on the most exciting Six Nations in years

14 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As Ireland face Scotland for a Triple Crown decider in Dublin, RTE Sports’ Jacqui Hurley talks Brendan through the final day of the most unpredictab...

“Eid has become so commercialised – the price of dates is ridiculous”

14 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Amanullah de Sondy, head of the study of religions at UCC offers his own reflections on the ending of the holy month of Ramadan. He talks about ho...

The Watchlist

08 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to discuss the best TV and films coming this week are Grainne Humphries, Festival Director of the Dublin International Film Festival a...

The Newspaper Panel

08 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday papers are Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent at the Irish Times; Gerard Howlin, former government adviser and...

“I thought art didn’t exist in Ireland” - artist, Dorothy Cross

08 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Artist Dorothy Cross tells Brendan about her Cork childhood, competitive swimming, the thrill of having her art first exhibited by the Tate in London,...

Pokémon at 30: “I’ve rediscovered it now as an adult and realise it’s a great way of keeping you company”

08 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Novelist and video game critic for The Guardian, Sarah Maria Griffin explains to Brendan how she has rediscovered the 30-year-old Nintendo game recent...

Ireland’s Prettiest Towns and Villages

07 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Pól O’Conghaile, Travel Editor of the Irish Independent, joins Brendan with his pick of the prettiest places to visit in Ireland.See omnystudio.com...

Leo Varadkar: ‘I think the European-Atlantic relationship is changed forever’

07 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who has recently returned from the US, gives his take on the fall of the Iranian regime as the war enters its second we...

Neil Jordan “Everyone knew what Weinstein was”

07 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Oscar winner and award-winning writer Neil Jordan tells Brendan about his first foray into science-fiction with ‘The Library of Traumatic Memory’....

“I was a bit player in my parents’ drama, a parentified eldest daughter”

07 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

First-time author Clíodhna O’Sullivan has written a romantasy novel, ‘Her Hidden Fire’ which has been chosen as a Good Morning America Bookclub...

Ex-Trump advisor, Anthony Scaramucci: “I was in the Epstein Files”

07 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Where is JD Vance? Is Rubio the coming man? One week into the US-Israel war on Iran, Brendan speaks to host of The Rest is Politics US, and President ...

Eva Pau’s Sensational Stir Fries!

07 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

TV Chef & Asia Market MD, Eva Pau, has easy recipes for delicious stir fry recipes such as simple fried rice, black pepper beef and a veggie stir fry....

The Newspaper Panel

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday papers, are publisher at TheBriefing.ie, Liz Carolan; research professor at the ESRI, Alan Barrett; Sunday Indep...

Colum McCann “With my brain condition - the medicine altered me more than the pain”

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Award winning novelist, Colum McCann joins Brendan to discuss the songs that have formed the soundtrack to his life, including Ray Charles’ ‘Hit t...

The Watchlist

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to discuss the best TV and films coming this week, are Business Post film critic, John Maguire and Irish Times arts journalist, Nadine...

Love is Blind controversy: Body Shaming or Romantic Honesty?

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Culture journalist, Zara Hederman joins Brendan to discuss a growing controversy in the latest season of ‘Love is Blind’, a dating show r. After o...

Colin Farrell - “I have enormous feeling around Emma, love for her, anger for her EB, sorrow for things EB has taken from her”

28 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Actor Colin Farrell and campaigner Emma Fogarty join Brendan to discuss their deep friendship, their campaigning work on EB (known as ‘butterfly ski...

Róisín and Ann Ingle on steady eddies, what makes a good sex scene and why we need to talk about death

28 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Writer Ann Ingle, and her daughter, Irish Times journalist and Co-host of the Women’s Podcast, Róisín Ingle join Brendan to discuss the changing n...

A dietician’s definitive guide to protein

28 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dietician Sarah Keogh joins Brendan to discuss how much protein we really need, and the impact of eating too much or too little and gives her verdict ...

“De-escalation is out of the question” Middle East Update

28 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Following joint US/Israeli strikes on Iran overnight, Iranian-American journalist Borzou Daragahi joins Brendan with the latest updates, as the impact...

Quick and tasty homemade dips with chef, Alannah Sheehan

28 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

From salsa to tzatziki, and hummus to pesto, Chef Alannah Sheehan gives Brendan a how-to guide to making dips that are quick, simple and super tasty.S...

The Newspaper Panel

22 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday newspapers are Adam Harris, Founder and CEO of AsIAm; Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European Universi...

The Watchlist

22 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Brendan gets the lowdown on the best films and TV shows this week with Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster/Podcaster and Dave O’Callaghan, Host of the He...

How AI is changing the face of filmmaking and content creation

22 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Elaine Burke, host of the ‘For Tech Sake’ podcast talks to Brendan about the impact of AI on Hollywood; from this week’s viral video which showe...

Prof Luke O’Neill - How to get through ‘Sniper’s Alley’ and optimise your health in midlife

22 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Luke O’Neill, Professor of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College, talks to Brendan about ‘Sniper’s Alley’ - the period of time around...

Dr. Mike Ryan: “My mother took me by the two hands and said ‘don’t you die over there”

21 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Mike Ryan, former Deputy Director General of the World Health Organization tells Brendan about heading up the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme du...

The only muffin recipes you’ll ever need with Caryna Camerino

21 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Caryna Camerino from The Camerino bakery gives Brendan her all-time favourite muffin recipes. She’s got a savoury muffin and a crowd pleasing classi...

Dads at the cutting edge - the half zip jumper is now fashion!

21 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Life coach and personal shopper Cathy O’ Connor tells Brendan about the new stars of your wardrobe for spring, including the quarter zip jumper, and...

David Gray “My Dad pulled out his chemo tubes and came and cheered Bowie up”

21 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

David Gray’s White Ladder album remains the biggest selling album in Ireland, ever. He talks to Brendan about that time through the prism of five so...

Do you know your smishing from your vishing? - The top scams to watch out for right now

21 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Irish Times consumer affairs correspondent Conor Pope talks Brendan through the most common scams doing the rounds right now and how we can all protec...

Jacqui Hurley previews Ireland v England in Twickenham

21 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Jacqui brings her characteristic optimism to bear on her analysis of today’s high stakes clash between Ireland and England. She says Irish fans are ...

Newspaper Panel

15 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday newspapers are commentator and former presidential hopeful, Maria Steen; head of the ERSI's Behavioural Research...

The Watchlist

15 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to preview the best films and TV shows this week - including Swindlers, Crime 101 and Eternity - are Director of the Dublin Internatio...

Painter, Sean Scully: "I wet the bed until I was 20"

15 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Born into poverty in Dublin, Sean Scully is now a widely regarded as one of the world's greatest living visual artists, whose paintings regularly sell...

Gruffalo Granny and the enduring appeal of Julia Donaldson

15 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson has had her children's books translated into more than 100 languages. Mother of three Sinead Fox AKA parenting blogger...

Glen Hansard: "My headmaster told me to leave school to busk at 13"

14 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Academy Award winning songwriter, solo artist and Frames frontman, tells Brendan about leaving school at 13 with the support of his headmaster, fa...

Richard Hogan on family estrangement: "The biggest liberation is finding the courage to forgive"

14 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan on why you can become estranged from family or friends, when it's worth extending an olive branch, how to do so and h...

A Steak Masterclass

14 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Why does steak taste so much better in a restaurant? And are there any easy hacks to replicate the professional version? On Valentine's Day, chef, Bro...

'There's a surge of pleasure writing poetry that's akin to physical eroticism!'

14 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Poet Enda Wyley chooses some 'non-Hallmark' love poems for the day that's in it and quotes Carol Ann Duffy to Adrian Mitchell.See omnystudio.com/liste...

The Watchlist

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Brendan previews the best TV shows and films coming to a screen near you with Michael Doherty, RTÉ Guide Movies Editor and Fionnuala Jones, Podcaster...

The Newspaper Panel

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to talk through the Sunday Newspapers are Mick Clifford, Irish Examiner Special Correspondent; Mary Hanafin, barrister and former Fian...

“The first 2 years of my life were a gap – where was I for those years?” - Paul Cullen

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Former Irish Times journalist Paul Cullen is adopted and has written a memoir, ‘Outsider’, about meeting his birth mother, finding his birth fathe...

Old songs having TikTok revivals

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Broadcaster Aifric O’Connell explains why certain older songs such as New Radicals’ ‘Get What You Give’, Aphex Twin’s ‘QKThr’ and Enya’...

Mairéad McGuinness: “It was either my health or the race”

07 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Six months after she dramatically quit the race for the Irish Presidency, former EU Commissioner and Fine Gael MEP, Mairéad McGuinness, tells Brendan...

Pat McCabe “Joy is the most beautiful emotion, it can come upon you unexpectedly”

07 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

‘The Butcher Boy’ author, Pat McCabe, has just been announced as the 2026 IPUT Writer-in-Residence. He talks Brendan through his early Monaghan da...

“‘Memento Mori’ reminds us to live”

07 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Neuroscientist Brian Pennie once had a near death experience as a heroin addict. He now has a countdown calendar in his kitchen where he marks off the...

“Fakeaways don’t need to be too fancy”

07 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chef Maggie Roche from the Little Acorn Cafe talks Brendan through making takeaway food at home. She has delicious recipes for homemade loaded fries a...

"30 years later, I think about him every day and I still love him"

07 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A listener writes a letter telling Brendan of a secret love affair in his 20s with another man. Despite being married now with grown up children, he s...

Newspaper Panel

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to talk through the Sunday Newspapers are former Fine Gael TD for Waterford, John Deasy; Political Correspondent at The Irish Examiner...

"Watching my mother die was an arduous privilege" - 'Pretty in Pink' star Andrew McCarthy

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Star of 'Weekend at Bernie's' and 'Pretty in Pink', Andrew McCarthy talks to Brendan about his career as a Brat pack star, and TV director. He also di...

Six Nations Preview

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of Ireland's opening Six Nations match against reigning champions France this Thursday, Brendan is joined by sports reporter Jacqui Hurley. She ...

The Watchlist

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Brendan previews the best films and TV shows coming to a screen near you, with Business Post film critic, John Maguire and freelance culture journalis...

Katie Taylor - "Being a stepmother has been a blessing, but it's definitely a challenge!"

31 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Olympic Gold Medal winning boxer Katie Taylor joins Brendan to talk about her childhood, her ground-breaking career, what she hates about professional...

"If your child is silent, but gasping like a fish, they're choking" - Dr. Niamh Lynch

31 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Paediatric consultant and mother of two. Dr Niamh Lynch, joins Brendan to discuss her new book 'Should I be worried?' - a stage-by-stage guide to help...

"My pet snake merely tolerates me!" - Collie Ennis

31 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Trinity College Dublin's biodiversity officer, Collie Ennis talks to Brendan about his pet boa constrictor, how snakes go about eating their prey and ...

Flooding Update with Marc O'Driscoll

31 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

RTÉ's South East correspondent, Marc O'Driscoll joins Brendan with the latest on flooding across region. While the worst was avoided overnight, conce...

"My favourite ingredient" - Domini Kemp on Eggy breakfasts

31 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chef and restauranteur, Domini Kemp gives Brendan a tutorial on one of her favourite foods; eggs. From how to boil an egg, to a frittata that uses up ...

The Newspaper Panel

25 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to discuss this week’s Sunday Newspapers are: Louise Bayliss, from the Society of St Vincent De Paul; Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Profess...

‘I was spending 17 hours a day on my phone’

25 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sophie Hynes (19), Natasha Maimba (24) and Kai Brosnan (26) explain how they coped this week when they did a digital detox giving up social media, Goo...

Marty Whelan - “Phil Collins was a huge influence on my drumming”

25 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As Phil Collins turns 75, broadcasting [and fellow drumming] legend Marty Whelan reflects on his life and musical career: spanning Phil Collins’ Gen...

The Watchlist

25 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Brendan talks through the latest highlights on the big and small screen with Nadine O’Regan, Irish Times arts journalist and Brian Lloyd, freelance ...

What is Martyr Syndrome?

24 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Allison Keating, Chartered Psychologist & Author of ‘It’s All Too Much’ talks to Brendan about why some people can’t sit down ‘til the dishe...

“Johnny Cash and June Carter, my parents, knew both love and addiction”

24 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

John Carter Cash, son of singers Johnny Cash and June Carter talks to Brendan about his parents’ love story, their addictions, his father’s fall f...

Bob Geldof “I felt I saw Peaches at the traffic lights last week and the tears just flowed”

24 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Bob Geldof reflects on his life through the medium of five songs ranging from The Who to The Rolling Stones. He speaks about his early childhood, 50 y...

Heathier alternatives to processed foods

24 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Chef Erica Drum on how to make some easy unprocessed alternatives from recipes for homemade mayonnaise and pasta sauce to making chicken nuggets with ...

The Newspaper Panel

18 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Brendan to discuss this week’s Sunday Newspapers are: Ballyfermot community activist, and former People Before Profit TD, Brid Smith; Public...