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SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO Radio One’s lineup, more programming on climate change and documentaries on the housing crisis and Marian Finucane all feature in RTÉ’s new autumn schedule.
The national broadcaster launched its autumn/winter schedule today and unveiled a shakeup of its midweek radio coverage as familiar faces move to new slots.
Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra are set to take over on Drivetime from 4.30 pm from Monday to Friday, with current presenter Mary Wilson set to move to the Morning Ireland team.
In another move, Bryan Dobson is set to move from the morning flagship show to lunchtime radio news and will front RTÉ News at One with Bryan Dobson.
And as well as fronting the Late Debate from 10 pm on Tuesdays to Thursdays, Katie Hannon will present Saturday with Katie Hannon at weekends, a slot originally earmarked for Sean O’Rourke before last week’s ‘golfgate’ controversy.
On the small screen, viewers can expect a sense of pre-pandemic familiarity when they tune in this autumn, with the return of Fair City, Prime Time and The Late Late Show, with plans for a Covid-era Toy Show already underway.
The Meaning of Life – formerly presented by the late Gay Byrne – will return too, with Joe Duffy set to take over presenting duties and guests including Vicky Phelan, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, and Blindboy Boatclub among others.
But as well as familiar faces, a range of new programming will also feature on RTÉ over the coming months.
There will be extensive coverage of the US presidential election, fronted by Dobson, Six One news anchor Caitríona Perry, and Washington correspondent Brian O’Donovan.
Meanwhile, the broadcaster has commissioned a number of special documentaries, including a look at the housing crisis, separate portraits of broadcaster Marian Finucane and Martin McGuinness, and an investigation into the murder of Father Niall Molloy.
Coverage of the Decade of Centenaries will continue with history documentaries and series’ across radio and television.
New programming will include pieces about Bloody Sunday, the physical, sexual and emotional violence against women during the War of Independence and Civil War, and Terence MacSwiney’s hunger strike.
However, a number of factual series will also examine the ongoing fallout in Ireland and across the world from Covid-19.
A new documentary, Love and Loss in a Pandemic, will feature seven people who experienced losing a loved one during the coronavirus crisis.
Another documentary, The Other Side, will examine the possible impacts of the virus on the economy, the social contract, education, and spirituality.
And in Taking Ireland’s Pulse, RTÉ will carry out a national poll to find out how people across Ireland feel now and about the future after six months of dealing with Covid-19.
A range of new entertainment programming is also set to feature this autumn. From 6 September, the new six-part drama The South Westerlies will air, following the fortunes of an Irish coastal town earmarked for a Norwegian-owned wind farm.
Meanwhile, there will be a new six-part family thriller written by Kate O’Riordan and starring Dervla Kirwan called Smother, and a six-party mystery set in Victorian-era Dublin called Dead Still.
Fair City will also return on 6 September, while Amy Huberman’s comedy Finding Joy and international dramas Fleabag and Yellowstone will feature on RTÉ screens this autumn as well.
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It was a big mistake to remove Sarah McInerney from the Today Show. She was streets ahead of Claire Byrne in terms of ability.
Joe Duffy will be 65 in January – time for him to retire.
@Cookie: I agree. The very credible Sarah McInerney got me back listening to RTE. She’s an excellent presenter and interviewer should have been left there…another typically silly and unecessary move by the wisemen of RTE.
@Cookie: maybe it’s because I’m English, but I couldn’t understand Sarah, s speech. You possibly need to be born here to understand its
Slurred words. Spoken at rocket speed.
@Victor Feldman: You… will… soon…get…over…your inferiority with language.
@Bramley Hawthorne: In my opinion Sarah does “drone on” during interviews. She is average when compared to the depth and personality that Sean brought to the role.
@Cookie: agreed newstalk should never have let her go….she got she morning show back on road after yeats and chris o’donoghue left. then they let her go. cant listen to it anymore find it too annoying.
@Cookie: Joe Brilliant, we are lucky to have him
@Cookie: Joe just great, we are so lucky to have him
Delighted Sarah Mc Inerney got her own show. Seems to be one of the few in RTE who doesn’t cower to the politicians.
A lotta jobs for the girls
@Bill ORourke: Yay! about time too.
These people should have retired ages ago. Their children should be taken the Mike by now!
@Realityparty.ie: Sarah McInerney is only in her 30s
@Realityparty.ie: It’s already the case in 2fm. Gerry Ryan’s daughter got a job there. Equal opportunities employer my a**.
Sounds interesting, looking forward to some good radio, I have rediscovered radio during the pandemic and will continue listening.
No matter what they do, they are still just an establishment spin machine.
Especially Joe Duffy.
Same s*** different bucket.
@Pius Flynn: in fairness Sarah McInerny wasn’t afraid to push the establishment unlike some of her colleagues. Glad she’s got her own show tho I’d have left her in the morning slot and moved Claire Byrne to the evening.
Hasn’t the hundred years of freedom given all Irish people a wonderful life. The imperialists of Britain were expelled, so we might now have a land of golf courses, race courses, villas abroad and enormous pensions. Aren’t we Irish so favoured!
@PV Nevin: And what, pray tell, does that have to do with what’s on the telly?
@Greg Ward:
The centenary decade…
RTÉ is the official propagandist of the ruling class.
@PV Nevin: Would you ever get a life for yourself
@PV Nevin: Wow, and what page are you on??
@PV Nevin: a land fit for Hogan’s heroes.
Sean O Rourke should never have been in the RTÉ schedule in first place. He retired with his lump sum and big pension from RTÉ this year. It’s like bringing back retired teachers to teach in our schools. Our national broadcaster should be giving ambitious talented young people opportunities.
Seán O’Rourke. A fine Irishman!
RTÉ – fearless journalists who have helped make Ireland what it is. We are blessed. Do you think?
Me hole!
@PV Nevin: me hole!
@Lorcan O’Neill:
Could not have been said better Lorcán!
Sean ORourke retired on a good pension from RTÉ so why were they bypassing younger talent in his favour
@Tony Brady: Good point Tony
RTE is cut from the same cloth as Irelands Political Class
Example Enda Kenny name is mentioned now For Hogans EU Job
@Tony Brady: his connections with bankers and politicians obviously.
Pity they didn’t ditch Miriuum and keep O’Rourke…… That woman does my head in……..
@Joe Toner: O’Rourke was attended golf in Clifden. His position was compromised.
Sounds interesting, looking forward to some good radio
Ah good old RTE…the more things change the more they stay the same.
On the plus side after 14 years at least I’ll be able to listen to Drivetime again.
Dormancy O’Headhra has to be the single worst broadcaster on rte. His Saturday show is unlistenable. All he ever does is interrupt and shout people down. Great to see Sarah Mc back but just a shame that it is with this goon.
@alan: Cormac. Spell checker great lol.
And there will be a re-run of reeling in the years ,of reeling in the years, of reeling in the years.
Sean orourke was brillant at his job and mary wilson is the best one on the radio at the moment.sean o rourke should have came on the radio or tv to explain about the dinner .such a pity this happened to his a big loss from radio now.
@Tadhg O’shaughnessy: How about giving Maria Bailey her own Radio Show
Her first Guest Mr Sean ORourke
Fine bit O’stuff
Finally a good role for Sarah
Blindboy the most consistent and underestimated social intellectual I’ve come across.
Joe Duffy
@Enda Layng: Yeah yeah, go on go on…
@Enda Layng: Hello Mary
Tell us what happened you today and on and on
@Roger Dawson: I know, I know
Joe Duffy
@Enda Layng: Jooooooooooooooe Duffeh!!
Get rid of Darcy!
Finally a good role for Sarah
Hilarious that they thought they needed to point out that shocking Photoshop job!
Hope we can hear Sean O’Rourke on the airwaves very soon – he’s one of the best with a wide knowledge on many topics and with a good sense of fun too. It will be the lucky station that will get him…
Don’t agree @cookie. Claire has an additional personable edge that makes for far more entertaining engagement.
Sarah Mc excellent Claire b overrated was great every morning like her Times articles as well
have your say