Brendan O'Connor
RTÉ Radio 1
Brendan O'Connor has all you need for the weekend with time to pause and reflect on the week just gone. Featuring a selection of human interest, consumer and lifestyle stories, as well as keeping you up to date on the news stories that matter. Listen live Saturday and Sunday at 11am - 1pm on RTÉ Radio 1.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 22, 2026 • 25min
Prof Luke O’Neill - How to get through ‘Sniper’s Alley’ and optimise your health in midlife
Prof Luke O’Neill, biochemistry and immunology professor and inflammation researcher, outlines how to fortify health in midlife. He explains the rise in risks around your 50s and shares practical tips on diet, exercise, sleep, inflammation and vaccines. Short, actionable habits and social connections are emphasized as ways to reduce long-term disease risk.
Feb 22, 2026 • 12min
The Watchlist
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 Here and Back Again Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 22, 2026 • 9min
How AI is changing the face of filmmaking and content creation
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 showed AI versions of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise in a fight scene to how AI is being used day to day in filmmaking and content creation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 21, 2026 • 8min
The only muffin recipes you’ll ever need with Caryna Camerino
Caryna Camerino from The Camerino bakery gives Brendan her all-time favourite muffin recipes. She’s got a savoury muffin and a crowd pleasing classic with her blueberry muffin recipe, and she tells Brendan how to create the prefect muffin top crunch!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 21, 2026 • 9min
Do you know your smishing from your vishing? - The top scams to watch out for right now
Irish Times consumer affairs correspondent Conor Pope talks Brendan through the most common scams doing the rounds right now and how we can all protect ourselves from fraudsters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 21, 2026 • 33min
Dr. Mike Ryan: “My mother took me by the two hands and said ‘don’t you die over there”
Dr Mike Ryan, former Deputy Director General of the World Health Organization tells Brendan about heading up the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme during Covid, receiving death threats, his views on the anti-science movement, being held hostage, his anger over Gaza and why he’s now taking some time out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 21, 2026 • 28min
David Gray “My Dad pulled out his chemo tubes and came and cheered Bowie up”
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 songs ranging from Madness to David Bowie to John McCormack.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 21, 2026 • 12min
Dads at the cutting edge - the half zip jumper is now fashion!
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 balloon jeans, and why regardless of what’s on the catwalk, you never need to stop wearing clothes you love.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 21, 2026 • 5min
Jacqui Hurley previews Ireland v England in Twickenham
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 hopeful going into today’s game despite the decline the team has experienced in recent times.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 15, 2026 • 6min
Gruffalo Granny and the enduring appeal of Julia Donaldson
Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson has had her children's books translated into more than 100 languages. Mother of three Sinead Fox AKA parenting blogger 'Bumbles of Rice' tells Brendan about the enduring appeal of her books, including 'Stickman', 'Zog' and 'Room on the Broom' ahead of the publication of Donaldson's next book, 'Gruffalo Granny'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
