RTÉ Radio 1
JOE DUFFY’S
CONVERSATIONS AT THE ÁRAS ON RTÉ RADIO 1
Guests include Gabriel Byrne & Maeve Binchy
RTÉ Radio 1 presenter Joe Duffy is to present a series of programmes hosted by President Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin, in which guests discuss a range of issues and themes relevant to Irish life today. The five programmes are part of RTÉ Radio’s Christmas schedule, launched last week. The schedule sees output across all RTÉ Radio services with special Christmas messages from radio’s biggest names. More at www.rte.ie/radio/christmas
President Mary McAleese comments: “Conversations at the Áras gathers a group of interesting men and women from many walks of life to chat about Ireland, how it is doing and where it is going. The conversations are serious at times, funny at times, and they are mixed with plenty of good music and poetry. I hope the issues dealt with will encourage listeners at home and abroad to do the same, to talk, debate and reflect with family and friends for if ever there was a time for reflection and discussion this is it. Above all the contributors are people of hope, action and a studied optimism about Ireland’s future, which I hope listeners will find encouraging as they farewell a very tough 2009 and welcome in the New Year.”
Presenter Joe Duffy said: “It is a great honour for RTÉ Radio 1 and myself to be invited by President McAleese to facilitate these programmes in the Aras. I found them fascinating, including the many insightful contributions by the President herself.”
Monday: Ireland’s Culture and Heritage Actor, Director and Writer Gabriel Byrne. Further guests include John Allen and Poet Paula Meehan.
Tuesday: Working and Living in Ireland Mark Pollack, Professional speaker, Adventure Athlete and Author. Further guests include Sean Coughlan and Nobuhle Ncube.
Wednesday: Growing Up in Ireland Emma Farrell, a youth advisor with Headstrong, the national centre for youth mental health; Emma Teeling, Lecturer in Biology and Environmental Science at UCD and Darragh McCullagh, farmer and presenter of the RTE Television programme Ear to the Ground.
Thursday: Growing Older in Ireland Author Maeve Binchy; Broadcaster, writer and former public servant Miriam Hederman O’Brien and traditional singer Seán Ó Sé.
Friday: Joe Duffy presents the last in the series of programmes hosted by President McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin in which guests discuss a range of issues and themes relevant to Irish life today.
Producer: Tim Desmond
Tune in to RTÉ Radio 1, Monday 28 December – Friday 1 January, 1.30pm
Issued by RTÉ Radio
Date: December 2009
For further information please contact: RTÉ Radio Press Office: Sandra Byrne, 01- 208 2506/ 087- 249 3048, Sandra.byrne@rte.ie