RTÉ
FAIRY TALES AND FESTIVE FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY THIS CHRISTMAS ON RTÉ ONE, RTÉ2 and RTÉ PLAYER
RTÉ today (Tuesday, 5 December) unveiled its Christmas television offerings as it announced its schedule for the festive season on RTÉ One, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. The sparkling selection features entertainment, comedy, music, films and documentaries for all the family.
The star on the top of the TV tree this year is Angela’s Christmas, a funny and heart-warming new 30 minute long animation by acclaimed Brown Bag Films based on Frank McCourt’s children’s book and featuring the voices of Ruth Negga and Lucy O’Connell. In another highlight, everyone’s favourite mammy and son duo, Baz Ashmawy and Nancy, go in search of one of Nancy’s heroes in a special new one-off, Baz and Nancy’s Holy Show, which sees the pair on a quest to see Pope Francis at the Vatican.
Speaking of mammies, the mother of all Christmas shows is back, with two brand new Mrs Brown’s Boys specials! Senior Moments the comedy show in which seniors prank unsuspecting young folk also returns this Christmas for a three episode run. And in Bridget & Eamon, Bridget works out that, with the widow’s pension and life assurance, Eamon would be worth more dead than alive.
This December, Fairytale of New York – the song Shane MacGowan calls with some glee ‘the nastiest Christmas single ever’ – will be 30 years old. RTÉ marks the anniversary with a new documentary looking back at the making of Fairytale in the company of Shane MacGowan – who turns 60 on Christmas Day – as he reminisces about the writing of the song. Paul Simon, Billy Bragg, Christy Moore, Imelda May and Bob Geldof are among the musicians and songwriters interviewed, along with former members of The Pogues.
In Carols from the Castle on RTÉ One on Christmas Eve, 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, MayKay, Rita Connolly and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy. Elsewhere for music fans, The Nathan Carter Christmas Special sees Ireland’s favourite country star joined by a host of special guests for a night of music, dance and plenty of laughs for a festive episode of his show. As well as performing duets with Spice Girl Melanie C and American singer Curtis Stigers, Nathan is joined by Una Healy, and his younger brother Jake Carter. In a special edition of Pat Shortt’s Music from d’Telly, Pat has been busy rummaging through the RTÉ Archive to share his very own Christmas music favourites. There’s more nostalgia in Christmas Then and Now which sees Sinead Kennedy delve into the magical RTÉ Christmas archive unearthing gems including John B Keane reminiscing on his Christmas childhood in Kerry and actor Des Keogh discovering a 200 year old festive tradition in North County Dublin.
In a one-off Christmas special, RTÉ’s Celebrity Home of the Year will feature retired Leinster and Ireland rugby player Mike Ross, TV and radio presenter Eoghan Mc Dermott, writer Melissa Hill, broadcaster Lorraine Keane and Senator David Norris. Our judges -including new addition, award-winning architect Patrick Bradley – cast an expert eye over the homes. On At Your Service – To the Rescue, the Brennans are called to the village of Bruff, Co Limerick to fit out and furnish Ireland’s first purpose-built neighbourhood for people living with dementia.
RTÉ television will cater for all your cookery needs too. On Donal’s Christmas Meals in Minutes, award-winning food writer and TV presenter Donal Skehan shows viewers how to reduce the long process of prepping and making your Christmas dinner by hours with his clever and simplified menu. Rory O’Connell brings a Christmas flavour to his popular series How To Cook Well with a selection of elegant dishes for cooks who want something a little different. And in the lead-up to Christmas week, join Today with Maura and Dáithí live from Cork for a Christmas feast with celebrity chefs, wine experts and music to get you in the mood for the big day.
It’s a rollercoaster of emotions on Fair City this Christmas. After a difficult first year of marriage Kerri-Ann receives an unexpected surprise. And as Damien and Caoimhe continue to clash over Saoirse, Damien sends the community into chaos as he takes matters into his own hands. Meanwhile, Albert Square is set for its most explosive yuletide yet as Eastenders takes us through to a New Year which goes off with a bang on RTÉ One.
Movie premieres on RTÉ One and RTÉ2 this Christmas include: Brooklyn, Gone Girl, Spectre, Big Hero 6, Jurassic World, Daddy’s Home, Cinderella, Hotel Transylvania 2, Monument Men, Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Love and Mercy, Birdman, Guardians of the Galaxy, Horrible Bosses 2, Avengers – Age of Ultron and Hobbit – Battle of the Five Armies. And Harry Potter fans will be treated to a run of Harry Potter films airing across RTÉ2 during Christmas week, plus a special hour long Harry Potter: a History of Magic on New Year’s Day.
Join Darragh Maloney and Joanne Cantwell for the RTÉ Sport Awards 2017 live from Studio 1 for a celebration of Irish sport and the awarding of Sportsperson of the Year, Team of The Year and Young Sportsperson of the Year. Presenter Jacqui Hurley teams up with Ruby Walsh and Shane Byrne for a Christmas edition of Know the Score. They will be joined in studio by the Dub who scored the winning point in the All Ireland Football Final, Dean Rock; MMA coach, John Kavanagh; star of the Irish Women’s rugby team, Jenny Murphy; and the recently retired Irish soccer superstar, Kevin Doyle. And on St Stephen’s Day on RTÉ2, Robert Hall and Ted Walsh are joined by Brian Gleeson, Tom Lee, Tracy Piggott, Andy McNamara and Sally Ann Grassick for four days of live racing action from the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Ireland’s Fittest Family – All Star Coaches features a look behind-the-scenes of this year’s final, as well as an extended hanging tough challenge. We find out what our all-star coaches – Donncha O’ Callaghan, Davy Fitzgerald, Derval O’ Rourke and Anna Geary – really think of each other, and what their families think of them!
As the clock ticks towards 2018, The Imelda May New Year’s Eve Special, including The Corrs, The Strypes, Finbar Furey and Gavin James, and featuring the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, will get ready to ring in the New Year with a lively selection of performances and chat, followed by The New Year’s Eve Countdown Concert featuring Kodaline, live from Custom House Quay in the heart of Dublin.Plus the RTÉ News Review 2017 looks back on the stories that defined the year.
Each day in December, RTÉ will release a new 60 second short film on a special website, www.rte.ie/christmas, that documents Christmas in Ireland today, from a range of perspectives. Featuring people young and old, from all around the country, and from a range of faiths and background, the films will showcase touching stories of Christmases past and present. Joyful, touching, inspiring and sometimes sad, a selection of the interviews will form the core of a special two-part documentary, The Secret of Christmas, to be aired on RTÉ One.
RTÉ Player is loaded with a selection of box-sets for the festive season from the nostalgic to recent hits. The Irish drama collection includes The Clinic, Proof and Damage along with the entire first series of Striking Out, while Home & Away fans can binge on this years’ specials All or Nothing and Revenge. Reality collections include Salon Confidential, Fade Street and Popstars and plenty of comedy with Hardy Bucks, The School and Bridget & Eamon.
RTÉ will also be unwrapping plenty of new series in the early New Year including the hotly anticipated new series of Dancing with the Stars. Hit legal drama Striking Out starring Amy Huberman and Neil Morrissey, returns for a brand new series, with Moe Dunford (Vikings) and Maria Doyle Kennedy (Redwater) joining the cast. The Tommy Tiernan Show, which delighted audiences on its debut, returns this January for a longer run of 12 episodes. Plus there’s new series of the nation’s favourites, Operation Transformation and First Dates, and rugby star Tommy Bowe joins the presenting team of holiday series, Getaways.
Watch the RTÉ One Christmas promo here: https://youtu.be/dIHlWYSVWt8
A selection of images will be sent to picture desk and are available for download here: https://presspack.rte.ie/2017/12/05/fairytales-and-festive-fun-for-all-the-family-this-christmas-on-rte-one-rte2-and-rte-player/?platform=47&start=1512172800&end=1512777599
Date: Tuesday 5 December 2017
For further information: Anne-Louise Foley, Communications Manager TV (acting), (01) 208 3298 / foleya@rte.ie / 085 1288911; Rayna Connery, Senior press officer (acting), (01) 208 3169 / rayna.connery@rte.ie / 087 9862902.
ENDS
Note to editors
Further details and broadcast information (please note: this information is subject to change. Please see www.rte.ie/presspack for latest TX information)
Baz and Nancy’s Holy Show (RTÉ One, 20 December) Baz Ashmawy’s 75-year-old mother Nancy is not easily impressed. With her son’s help, she’s just about seen it all at this stage meaning that Baz has yet to present her with a genuinely unexpected gift. Until now. Devoutly Catholic Nancy is about to set out with Baz on the ultimate adventure. A quest for the Holy Grail: to see Pope Francis at the Vatican.
Angela’s Christmas (RTÉ One, 24 December) The half-hour animated film is based on Frank McCourt’s only children’s book inspired by a story his mother Angela told him as a child. McCourt won the Pulitzer Prize for his best-selling memoir, Angela’s Ashes. The film features the voices of Oscar nominated Ruth Negga (Loving, Preacher) in the role of Angela’s mother, and Lucy O’Connell (Oscar nominated Song of the Sea) as Angela. Set in Ireland in the early 1900s, Angela’s Christmas is based on a heart-warming event from McCourt’s mother’s childhood. The film will depict little Angela’s journey in stunning CG animation, accompanied by a rousing musical score.
Fairytale of New York (RTÉ One, 21 December) This December, Fairytale of New York – the song Shane MacGowan calls with some glee ‘the nastiest Christmas single ever’ – will be 30 years old. RTÉ marks the anniversary with a new documentary. This documentary looks back at the making of Fairytale, now one of the most popular Christmas hits ever, in the company of Shane MacGowan who reminisces about the writing of the song over the course of two years, about the importance of his family roots in Tipperary to his music and the early days of the Pogues. Christy Moore, Imelda May and Bob Geldof are among the musicians and songwriters giving their response to Fairytale in the programme.
Mrs Brown’s Boys (RTÉ One, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) Christmas is once again upon us and Agnes is already snowed under. Dermot needs an elf for his Santa’s grotto, Grandad thinks the house is haunted, Cathy’s got herself an internet date, and to top it all off Rory is undergoing plastic surgery! At least Agnes has been given a special Christmas tree from Buster Brady to cheer her up. It’s from a clearance sale…what could possibly go wrong?
Carols from the Castle (RTÉ One, 24 December) Mary Kennedy brings Christmas magic into every home with a special evening of festive music, old and new, from the magnificently decked halls of Dublin Castle. Mary and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra are joined by legendary folk singer, Ralph McTell, teenage Centenary sensation, Síbeal Ní Chasaide, Irish Country’s band of brothers, The Three Amigos, and many more, all under the baton of conductor, David Brophy.
At Your Service Christmas Special (RTÉ One, 28 December) The Brennans are called in to fit out and furnish Ireland’s first purpose-built neighbourhood for people living with dementia. Will they be able to finish the centre in time for the open day?
Bridget & Eamon Christmas Special (RTÉ2, 24 December) Bridget works out that, with the widow’s pension and life assurance, Eamon would be worth more dead than alive. So she fakes his death, but Eamon can’t resist going to his own wake.
Senior Moments (RTÉ One, 28 December) Senior Moments is a comedy series where senior citizens display their charm, warmth and wit – both out on the street with hidden cameras pranking unsuspecting young folk, and in the comfort of their own homes where they regale us with more jokes, anecdotes and razor sharp wisdom. Val discovers the truth about his Russian bride, Dorothy tries to flee the ‘real’ capital of Ireland, and we start refunding those controversial water meter charges – but not quite in the way you might expect.
Fair City (RTÉ One, Christmas Day) It’s a rollercoaster of emotions in Carrigstown this Christmas. After a difficult first year of marriage Kerri-Ann receives an unexpected surprise. Elsewhere Bob plans the perfect Christmas present for Renee but when his plans go awry and it ends up in the wrong hands, will Bob be able to salvage his special surprise. As Damien and Caoimhe continue to clash over Saoirse, Damien sends the community into chaos as he takes matters into his own hands.
Movies on RTÉ One: Gone Girl (23 December); Spectre (Christmas Eve) Finding Nemo (Christmas Day Matinee); Big Hero 6 (Christmas Day Matinee); Brooklyn (Christmas Night); Cinderella (St Stephen’s Day)
Movies on RTÉ2: Love & Mercy (23 December); Guardians of the Galaxy (Christmas Night); Kingsman: The Secret Service (St Stephen’s Night); The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (27 December); Birdman (28 December)
RTÉ Sport Awards 2017 (RTÉ One, 16 December) Darragh Maloney and Joanne Cantwell present the RTÉ Sport Awards 2017 live from Studio 1 in RTÉ. Awards to be presented on the night include Sportsperson of the Year, Team of the Year, Manager of the Year and Young Sportsperson of the Year plus the announcement of this year’s Hall of Fame inductee.
Celebrity Home of the Year (RTÉ One, 2 January) RTÉ’s Celebrity Home of the Year returns to our screens this year with five familiar faces on board, as Irish celebrities open their doors to the nation in a bid to win a cash prize for their chosen charity. This one off special features five celebrities – retired Leinster and Ireland rugby player Mike Ross, TV and radio presenter Eoghan Mc Dermott, writer Melissa Hill, broadcaster Lorraine Keane and Senator David Norris. But while they may have stunning homes, they won’t have an easy ride, with our three expert judges casting a critical eye over the homes. Hugh and Deirdre are joined this year by new judge, award winning architect Patrick Bradley.
The Nathan Carter Christmas Show (RTÉ One) Backed by his impressive 17-piece band, Nathan is in his element as he belts out his favourite festive songs, as well as some very special duets with his famous musical guests – including former Spice Girl Melanie C, legendary American singer Curtis Stigers, and Una Healy. Nathan is also joined by the St Patrick’s Junior Choir – the schoolchildren who melted Simon Cowell’s heart on Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year. And watch out for some light-hearted sibling rivalry when Jake Carter joins his big brother for a surprise appearance on stage!
Christmas Then and Now (RTÉ One, 19 December) Then & Now sees Sinead Kennedy dust off some magical RTE Christmas archive appearances and then fast forward to the present. So, relive Imelda May’s appearance on the Late Late Toy Show, John B Keane’s reminiscences on his Christmas childhood in Kerry and actor Des Keogh discovering a 200-year-old festive tradition in North County Dublin.
Donal’s Christmas Meals in Minutes (RTÉ One, 21 December) In Donal’s Christmas Meals in Minutes, award-winning food writer and TV presenter Donal Skehan shows how you can reduce the long process of prepping and making your Christmas dinner by several hours with his quick and easy menu.
Pat Shortt’s Music from d’Telly (RTÉ One) Pat Shortt has been busy rummaging through the RTÉ Archive to share his very own Festive favourites from over five decades of RTÉ music production. Damien Dempsey and Maire Brennan deliver a fiery version of ‘Fairytale of New York’ and Enya reflects on her early recording days, Mary Black and Sinead O’Connor duet on a beautiful rendition of a festive favourite. Plus performances from The Furey Brothers, The Nolan Sisters, Pauline Scanlon and Westlife.