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Brendan O'Connor

RTÉ Radio 1
Ireland
Mental Health
Christmas
Donald Trump
Grief
Iran
Health
Family Dynamics
Protein
Six Nations
Acne
Dermatology
Irish Lakes
Gifts For Women
Mairéad Mcguinness
Childhood Trauma
Dublin
Horse Racing
Friendship
David Bowie

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes113Founded6 years ago
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NewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Brendan O'Connor

Latest Episodes

Irish Independent technology editor, Adrian Weckler, joins Brendan to explore the increasingly sophisticated technology built-in to modern cars. From driver assistance systems and connected services to data collection and privacy concerns, he explain... more

Game of Thrones actor, Hannah Murray, joins Brendan to discuss her memoir The Make Believe, which recounts her experience becoming involved in a wellness community that led to her believing she was the saviour of the planet. She reflects on the searc... more

Three years after the death of her brother, Brian, former European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, tells Brendan about her search for answers. Since contracting HIV decades ago, Brian lived a very full life, but – despite so much recent progress in treatm... more

Actor Jack Reynor joins Brendan for My Life in Five Songs, reflecting on a career that has taken him from Wicklow to Hollywood. He discusses the reality of an ADHD diagnosis, and how family life and the support of his wife Madeline have kept him grou... more

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Recent Guests

Hannah Murray
Actor and author of The Make Believe
Self
Episode: “I thought I was the saviour of the planet” - GOT actor, Hannah Murray
Emily O'REilly
Irish Ombudsman and journalist
Former European Ombudsman, RTÉ contributor
Episode: “I’m telling his story, because Brian can’t” - Emily O’Reilly
Jack Reynor
Actor known for Transformers and The Mummy, Power Ballad, Midsummer Macbeth, Sing Street
Actor
Episode: "Did I want to be an actor or a movie star? That was the question for me" - Jack Reynor
Larry Donnelly
Law professor at National University of Ireland Galway and political commentator
National University of Ireland Galway
Episode: “Although the U.S. has an awful lot of problems, most Americans will still celebrate the 250th anniversary”
Miriam Mullins
TikToker and influencer
None specified
Episode: “Being an influencer is the loneliest job” - TikToker, Miriam Mullins
Deirdre Kinahan
Playwright
Irish theatre
Episode: Playwright Deirdre Kinahan - “Living to retire is such a cod. None of us knows what’s coming next”
Doireann Ní Ghríofa
Author of Said The Dead, immersive historian and writer
Faber and Faber (publisher)
Episode: “I was so moved by the experience of hopelessness I shared with these women”
Graham Herterich
Award-winning Irish baker
Cupcake Bloke (social media) and baker
Episode: Why brack is not just for Halloween
Robert Byrne
Professor of Cardiology, Director of Cardiology at the Mater Private Hospital; Head of Cardiovascular Research at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Mater Private Hospital; Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Episode: The low down on cholesterol

Host

Brendan O'Connor
Host of RTÉ Radio 1 weekend show featuring human interest, lifestyle, and news discussions

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 741 ratings
  • John carney interview

    An excellent interview Brendan! What an interesting guest John Carney is. I could have listened to you both for hours. He was so open,natural,funny. All the qualities you need in a good guest. Definitely bring John back again! It’s great when you have someone who’s not afraid to talk about their life,someone who’s not guarded and cagey! Well done to you both!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fiomah
    Ireland13 days ago
  • L

    Brendan is exceptionally talented at talking to people about end of life and grief - humility, insight, quiet compassion and resists the urge to push for more or silver line. Manchán Magan and Andrew McCarthy just 2 examples of deftly navigated pieces worth relistens.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    L, Cork
    Irelanda month ago
  • Interview with Mary Duffy

    I’ve been quite impressed by Brendan’s interviewing on other episodes but the interview with Mary Duffy was outstanding. Her brave testimony as the life experience of a person with disability was powerful and Brendan’s skill was honest and professional in facilitating one of the best podcasts I’ve ever listened to. 👏👏👏👏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Padhraicin22
    Ireland2 months ago
  • Great show

    I think Brendan is gifted at this type of show. He is always well-informed no matter what the topic & engages well with every type of guest. Not afraid to ask hard questions & his interviews always seem to evolve organically as guests always seem v at ease with him. Sunday panel is always lively & enjoyable too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    B, Dublin
    Ireland3 months ago
  • Thank you

    Bob Geldof taking about grief, will be listed to over and over again….

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kelly 🇮🇪🇵🇸
    United Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the host's genuine curiosity and ability to handle diverse guests
A notable portion of reviews call for improvements in interviewing style or pacing, indicating strong engagement but mixed critiques
Guests and topics are described as informative and engaging by many listeners

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"Did I want to be an actor or a movie star? That was the question for me" - Jack Reynor
Q: How did the early days at The Factory shape your career?
Kirsten Sheridan and the network around The Factory helped me land early roles, and taking initiative to film scenes for a reel led to opportunities like The Dollhouse and eventually Richard Did, setting up a path toward bigger projects.
"Did I want to be an actor or a movie star? That was the question for me" - Jack Reynor
Q: Why did you choose the Brian Eno track from Spinning Away as your first music choice?
It spoke to wanderlust and the feeling of wanting to travel and see the world when I was younger, especially while watching The Beach; it captures a moment of dreaming big and feeling connected to bigger possibilities.
Does technology mean that our cars are no longer private spaces?
Q: Is my car spying on me, and what kind of data is being collected?
The car uses many sensors and cameras to monitor usage, recognize profiles, and tailor services, but it doesn't record every spoken word; it creates a data profile that can be shared with third parties under certain conditions.
Playwright Deirdre Kinahan - “Living to retire is such a cod. None of us knows what’s coming next”
Q: How does she approach writing on sensitive historical and political topics while keeping focus on humanity?
She emphasizes writing into the fringes of society to explore human stories beyond politics, using research to inform characters while allowing imaginative space to present diverse perspectives and foster empathy.
Playwright Deirdre Kinahan - “Living to retire is such a cod. None of us knows what’s coming next”
Q: Talk about how Refuge came about and whether it started as a commission or a personal project.
Kinahan explains Refuge began as a commission from Stadttheater Mainz, inspired by a story of German Palatine immigrants in Ireland, which she then expanded to weave a contemporary emigration narrative.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Brendan O'Connor

What is Brendan O'Connor about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on human-interest, consumer, and lifestyle stories alongside essential news analysis for weekend listeners. Interviews span poets, politicians, chefs, actors, medical professionals, and everyday heroes, often weaving personal narratives with broader cultural or societal themes. A notable strength is the host's ability to steer wide-ranging conversations with warmth and emphasis on practical takeaways, making it appealing to listeners who want thoughtful, accessible discourse on life, work, health, and current events. The mix of intimate guest profiles, actionable tips, and timely topics gives it a distinct, human-focused flavor ideal for audiences seeking weekend reflection and connection, rather than hard news alone.

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Which podcasts are similar to Brendan O'Connor?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Brendan O'Connor:

1. Today with David McCullagh
2. The Pat Kenny Show
3. The Last Word with Matt Cooper
4. The Claire Byrne Show
5. The Indo Daily

How many episodes of Brendan O'Connor are there?

Brendan O'Connor launched 6 years ago and published 113 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Brendan O'Connor?

Recent guests on Brendan O'Connor include:

1. Hannah Murray
2. Emily O'REilly
3. Jack Reynor
4. Larry Donnelly
5. Miriam Mullins
6. Deirdre Kinahan
7. Doireann Ní Ghríofa
8. Graham Herterich

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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