TV & Radio Reviews | The Irish Times

Liveline: Joe Duffy’s phone-in has played a crucial role in bringing to light the horrific secrets of Ireland’s clerical institutions

Joe Duffy et al do what the mother and baby home commission could not

Mick Heaney
January 15, 2021, 05:00

The week's radio shows let survivors set records straight, share their anger and ask crucial questions

Ray D’Arcy’s formula gels; if not chicken soup for the soul, then at least Cup-a-Soup for the tired mind. Photograph: Patrick Bolger/ RTÉ

Ray D’Arcy has the solution to all our problems

Mick Heaney
January 8, 2021, 07:31

This is mightily flimsy stuff, more suited to local radio. But, against the odds, it works

Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra: driving Drivetime to new heights

Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra have transformed Drivetime into compelling radio

Mick Heaney
December 18, 2020, 12:37

Ó hEadhra’s focused outrage and McInerney’s cooler tenaciousness has rejuvenated one of RTÉ Radio's flagship shows

Pat Kenny: the Newstalk presenter has sounded more engaged on air since the pandemic kicked in. Photograph: Frank Miller

Pat Kenny is a smart man, but he asks some silly questions

Mick Heaney
December 11, 2020, 05:00

Radio: Veteran host sounds relaxed and confident, though his unwitting comedic side remains

Claire Byrne. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Shopping and fussing: Retail reopening brings out Claire Byrne’s stern side

Mick Heaney
December 4, 2020, 05:00

Her RTÉ show can stray towards sounding a bit judgy, no matter how sensible its advice

Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Toy Show: Swore after accidentally spraying himself with fizzy orange

Ryan Tubridy swears he dropped a B-bomb, not an F-bomb, on Late Late Toy Show

Mick Heaney
November 30, 2020, 12:42

Presenter uses his RTÉ Radio 1 programme to insist he didn’t utter the F-word on Friday night

Miriam O’Callaghan: sounds so sincere that her touchy-feely public persona seems flinty by comparison. Photograph: RTÉ

Miriam O’Callaghan’s ‘forever sorry’ apology puts her usual touchy-feeliness in the shade

Mick Heaney
November 27, 2020, 06:00

She expresses her sorrow with uncharacteristic trepidation. Then it’s on with the show

Joe Duffy’s trundlingly unfunny rhymes make the rapping of Dustin the Turkey sound like Wu-Tang Clan

Joe Duffy’s rapping is as shocking as anything on the airwaves this year

Mick Heaney
November 20, 2020, 05:45

Duffy’s unfunny rhymes make Dustin the Turkey sound like Wu-Tang Clan

Ciara Kelly’s medical background combines with her confidence as a broadcaster to good effect. Photograph: Tom Honan

Ciara Kelly hits radio gold as health expert suggests postponing Christmas

Mick Heaney
November 13, 2020, 06:26

Newstalk host sounds sceptical as Trinity College professor floats a novel idea to delay festivities

Settling in: Drivetime’s Cormac Ó hEadhra and Sarah McInerney

Drivetime duo emerge as winners from divisive election

Mick Heaney
November 7, 2020, 05:00

Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra gel as US poll unfolds, Joe Duffy gets populist about panto

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