Christmas Religious Output on RTÉ, 2017
From 1st December, RTÉ.ie, RTÉ Radio and RTÉ TV will be running a daily Advent Calendar, under the title THE SECRET OF CHRISTMAS, in which, each day, a new door opens to reveal inspiring, uplifting and moving 1-minute portraits of people in all parts of Ireland determined to show that there’s more to Christmas than turkey, tinsel and twelve pubs. Some of their stories will also feature in a special edition of Would You Believe? – THE SECRET OF CHRISTMAS – on 10th December on RTÉ One.
Christmas Eve- Sunday 24 December
Carols from the Castle, on RTÉ One at 9.15pm
Mary Kennedy is joined by a glittering cast representing every age and part of the island, as they deck the magnificent halls of Dublin Castle for this festive musical treat, featuring Ralph McTell, May Kay, Saint Sister, Sibeal ní Chasaide, Shaun Davey, Rita Connolly, Eoin O’Beaglaoich and Gerry O’Beirne, The Three Amigos, Seamus O’Beaglaich, plus the Dun Laoghaire Choral Society, the Line-up Choir & the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy.
Midnight Mass live from the Church of the Nativity, Kilmessan, Co. Meath, on RTÉ One at 11pm
A live Eurovision broadcast shared across the continent, to celebrate the birth of Jesus in a church dedicated to that event. The Celebrant and Preacher is the Very Rev. Terence Toner, Parish Priest. Music comes from Kilmessan Church Choir and the Treble Children’s Choir, directed by Lisa Rooney, featuring soloists Aideen Coyle and Maria McCool. (Simulcast on RTÉ television and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra)
Chrismas Day – Monday 25 December
Live Eurovision Mass for Christmas Day, on RTÉ One at 10am
Live Eurovision Mass for Christmas Day from the church of Sant’Abbondio, in Gentilino, in the Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland. The Celebrant is Don Italo Molinaro, with commentary and translation from Aidan Mathews.
Urbi Et Orbi- Pope Francis’ Christmas Message,on RTÉ One at 11am
Pope Francis’ Christmas Message– from St Peter’s Basilica, Rome, with commentary and translation from Fr Thomas McCarthy, OP.
Service for Christmas Day, on RTÉ One at 11.25am
The Rev. Alistair Graham, Rector of the Church of Ireland’s Mullingar Union of Parishes, Co. Westmeath, leads choirs and congregation from the parish in a special celebration of the birth of Christ.
(RTÉ One TV. This Service can also be heard on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra / LW 252 at 11.00-11.45)
The Archbishops’ Christmas Message, on RTÉ One at 12.10pm
The Roman Catholic and Anglican Primates of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin and Archbishop Richard Clarke, offer a seasonal message of faith, hope and charity. (RTÉ One TV. This message can also be heard on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra at 13.05-13.15.)
New Year’s Eve, Sunday 31st December
Martin Luther 500th Anniversary Service, on RTÉ One at 9.40am
Another chance to see a Special Multi-denominational Service in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, to mark the 500th anniversary of an act of defiance by Martin Luther which led to the Protestant Reformation. The Service, led by the Church of Ireland’s Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross, the Rt Rev. Dr Paul Colton, and the Dean of St Fin Barre’s, the Most Rev. Nigel Dunne, was first broadcast on 29th October – Reformation Sunday. (RTÉ One television. It can also be heard on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra / LW 252 at 11.45.)