Brendan O'Connor

Declan Power, security and defence analyst with military and UN experience, joins by phone. Dan Mulhall, former Irish ambassador to Washington, offers diplomatic perspective. Gerard Howlin, ex‑government adviser, brings political and economic commentary. Ellen Coyne, political correspondent at The Irish Times, provides policy analysis. They discuss regional security, Gulf war impacts, diplomatic strategy, risks to peacekeepers, energy costs and domestic political fallout.

Dorothy Cross, a contemporary Irish artist whose work has shown at Tate and MoMA, reflects on a Cork childhood of swimming and seaside freedom. She recalls leaving Ireland to study art in San Francisco, staging bold site-specific performances in caves and aboard ships, and celebrating turning 70 with diving and conservation. Music punctuates memories throughout.

Eoin Sweeney, TV and radio producer who recommends and contextualises new shows. Gráinne Humphreys, Dublin International Film Festival director and film curator. They preview documentaries like Niall Breslin’s All That Remains, new films including Jessie Buckley’s The Bride, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, and festival picks such as Sound of Falling and the Irish-language noir Drowned.

Sarah Maria Griffin, novelist and Guardian video game critic, talks about rediscovering Pokémon at 30 as a parent and lifelong fan. She explores the franchise's cultural scale, its collecting and cosy appeal, the generational passing of fandom, Pokémon Go’s staying power, and the brand’s reach across games, cards, films and TV.

Eva Pau, TV chef and Managing Director of the Asian Market, shares practical stir-fry know-how. She explains why a wok and high heat matter. She covers wok choice, oils, marinades, light vs dark soy, and quick beef tenderizing. She walks through fried rice, beef hofun, and veggie stir-fry techniques with tips on texture and finishing sauces.

Anthony Scaramucci, former White House Communications Director and political commentator. He discusses US strategy on Iran, regional Gulf diplomacy, and risks of escalatory rhetoric. He reflects on Trump’s approach to rivals and political maneuvering. He also addresses potential Epstein-related material and his own brief encounter with Jeffrey Epstein.

Clíodhna O’Sullivan, first-time novelist of the romantasy Her Hidden Fire, reflects on growing up as a parentified eldest daughter in rural Carlow. She discusses living with an alcoholic father and a depressed mother, how those roles shaped her choices, and how fantasy offered an escape and later fueled her debut novel.

Neil Jordan, Oscar-winning filmmaker and novelist, discusses his new science-fiction novel and why he turned to time-bending storytelling. He explores AI in art and film, digital manipulation, and the ethics of corporate recreations. He also reflects on Oscar voting, industry consolidation, memories of Warner Brothers, and why he avoided working with Harvey Weinstein.

Leo Varadkar, former Taoiseach and seasoned international policymaker. He assesses the Middle East war, questions US aims toward Iran, and warns of regional collapse risks like terrorism and migration. He shares views from Iranian students in the US and argues the European-Atlantic relationship has been permanently altered, urging stronger EU foreign and military capacity.

Pól O’Conghaile, travel editor and seasoned travel writer, shares his picks for Ireland’s most picturesque towns and villages. He explains what makes him stop the car and highlights colourful coastal harbours, heritage shopfronts next to modern cafes, thriving market squares, murals that revive towns, and why timing and nearby estates shape a place’s appeal.