Religious Content on RTÉ Television & Radio, Christmas 2022
Monday 19 December – 31 December 2022
10.00-13.00 RTÉ Lyric FM. Niall Carroll’s Classical Daytime. Niall Carroll plays music from the heart of the classical repertoire with Sounds on Screen a piece from the big or small screen at 11 each day and at 12 Niall chooses a piece for his Five of a Kind. This week he chooses five pieces of music for Christmas by JS Bach.
Every weekday, during Christmas week, , at 12.30, on RTÉ Lyric FM, you can hear:
12.30- RTÉ Lyric FM. A Christmas Postcard: The History of the Nativity Story, which explores the Christian story of the Nativity, through dramatisations of Biblical and medieval devotional texts, with documentary contributions and original music. Produced for RTÉ lyric fm by Conor O’Toole with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Sound Supervision by Kieran Hurley; Adapted for radio by Conor O’Toole, Mark D’Aughton & Dr Malgorzata Krasnodebska-D’Aughton; Dramatic parts played by Mark D’Aughton and Vicky Keating; Drama Direction by Dr Chrissie Poulter of TCD School of Drama, Film & Music; Original Music composed by Mark Wilkins and performed by Mark Wilkins, Vicky Keating & Trevor Kiely; Historical Contributor: Dr Malgorzata Krasnodebska-D’Aughton of UCC School of History.
- Monday 19 December
Episode 1 – The Nativity story in the Bible and the apocrypha
Biblical and extra-Biblical accounts of Christ’s birth and their influence on the Nativity story with dramatised passages taken from the Gospels according to Matthew and Luke, from the Douay-Rheims Bible, first published in 1582 and 1610 - Tuesday 20 December
Episode 2 – Francis of Assisi and the first crib
The medieval beginnings of the Christmas crib with dramatised passages taken from Pseudo Bonaventure’s Meditations on the Life of Christ published in English as ‘St Bonaventure’s Life of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’, published by PJ Kennedy & Sons, New York, 1881. - Wednesday 21 December
Episode 3 – The Wise Men and the Feast of the Epiphany
The origin and symbolism of the Magi with dramatised passages taken from the Gospel according to Matthew, from the Douay-Rheims Bible, first published in 1582 and 1610. - Thursday 22 December
Episode 4 – The Wise Men and the Gifts
The practical and symbolic value of gold, frankincense and myrrh with dramatised passages are taken from Pseudo Bonaventure’s Meditations on the Life of Christ published in English as ‘St Bonaventure’s Life of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’, published by PJ Kennedy & Sons, New York, 1881. - Friday 23 December
Episode 5 – The Nativity in Art
Artistic depictions of the birth of Christ from medieval to modern times with dramatised passages taken from the gospel of Matthew and Pseudo Bonaventure’s Meditations on the Life of Christ published in English as ‘St Bonaventure’s Life of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’, published by PJ Kennedy & Sons, New York, 1881.
Wednesday 21st December, 2022
1300-1600. RTÉ Lyric FM. The Full Score with Liz Nolan celebrates the festive season with The Irish Chamber Orchestra as they join forces with one of Ireland’s finest voices, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh for an evening of Christmas cheer. Muireann celebrates the tradition of candle-lighting with her delivery of Tá Coinnle an Linbh Íosa alongside the ever-popular Don oíche úd i mBeithil. Enjoy her jazzy execution of The Wexford Carol alongside the ethereal Coventry Carol. Katherine Hunka and ICO swing into season with Sibelius’ Andante Festivo, a taster from Handel’s festive Concerti Grossi Op. 6 before setting the scene for Winter from Vivaldi’s popular Four Seasons. Liz Nolan presents a showcase of unabridged musical masterworks, featuring live recordings of Irish and international performers, plus selections from the latest CD releases.
Sibelius: Andante festivo
Handel: Concerto Grosso in F Op. 6 No. 2
Trad. Tá Coinnle an Linbh Íosa Arr. Cormac McCarthy
Trad. Coventry Carol Arr. Cormac McCarthy
Vivaldi: Concerto in No. 4 in F minor, RV 297: Winter from The Four Seasons
Trad. Wexford Carol Arr. Kenneth Rice
Aodh MacCathmhaoil: Don oíche úd i mBeithil Arr. Kenneth Rice
Martin/Blane: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Thursday 22nd December
1600-1900. RTÉ Lyric FM. Lorcan Murray presents Classic Christmas, live with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra from RTÉ Studio 1, Donnybrook, as they bring you the best of Christmas carols and music, including classical and popular music, and traditional Irish melodies. For the first time the orchestra perform ‘Little Bolero Boy’, an exciting arrangement by Robert Wendel of the favourite ‘Little Drummer Boy’ and Ravel’s Bolero. And it wouldn’t be Christmas without song: soprano Ava Dodd and tenor Dean Power bring us a beautiful selection of Christmas and Classical repertoire, including Puccini and Mozart. Along with the wonderful musical festivities there is Culture File, News and Sport. Join Lorcan and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra as they celebrate through music, in those magical days before Christmas
23.40-00.40 RTÉ One. Have Yourself a Mary Little Christmas (Rpt). For 27 years, Mary Kennedy presented the annual Carols show on RTÉ One, featuring a rich variety of Irish musical talent, performing in beautiful settings all around the country. Here, she re-visits some of her favourites from those shows, including performances by Enya, Johnny Logan, Sinead O’Connor, Mick Flannery & Susan O’Neill, Donal Lunny, Ralph McTell, Imelda May, Loah & Lisa Hannigan and Eimear Quinn.
Friday 23rd December
1900-2200 RTÉ Lyric FM. Handel’s Messiah The National Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and soloists under conductor Nicholas McGegan perform Handel’s powerful oratorio, which had its premiere in Dublin. Nicholas McGegan (conductor), Máire Flavin (soprano) Avery Amoreau (contralto) Catherine Wyn-Rodgers (alto) James Oxley (tenor) Stephan Loges (bass-baritone), National Symphony Chorus (David Young, chorus master). First Broadcast 15th April, 2022.
22.00-22.30 RTÉ Radio 1. The Leap of Faith. With only one more leap til Christmas, Siobhán Garrigan and guests offer a festive mix of warmth, music and reflection.
Saturday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
0700-1000 RTÉ Lyric FM. Daybreak with Evonne Ferguson. Wake up with Evonne Ferguson for beautiful carols and festive classics including Tchaikovsky’s Christmas Eve ballet The Nutcracker, and The Night Before Christmas read by Risteárd Cooper with music by Philip Lane. Plus the Christmas Cantata Unser Mund sei voll Lachens BWV 110, first performed in Leipzig on Christmas Day 1725, and Anja Murray comes out of hibernation for…
…a Naturefile Special on the Wren. Wrens are distinctive little birds. Their upturned tails and lively gait make them stand out in winter, despite their plain brown colours and tininess. The hunting of the wren is a St Stephen’s Day tradition that continues in many parts of Ireland, but nowadays the ‘wren boys’ travel from house to house bringing music and mayhem instead. Celebrate the Wren, this Christmas Eve, with Anja Murray on Nature File.
16.00-17.15 RTÉ Radio 1. The Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols. Dean William Morton and the Choir of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, celebrate the birth of Christ with the traditional mixture of readings and carols old and new. The Master of the Music is Stuart Masterson; the organist is David Leigh.
21.30 RTÉ One. Christmas in the Castle. Dáithí Ó Sé and Sinéad Kennedy deck the halls of Dublin Castle for this gorgeous festive celebration, featuring Nathan Carter, Jack Lukeman, Shobsy, Erica-Cody, Emma Langford, Ryan Sheridan, The Bugle Babes, the Donnycarney Ukrainian Community Choir, Glória LGBT+ Choir, DCU Chamber Choir and the Choir of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by Gavin Maloney.
23.10 RTE One & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra/LW252. Midnight Mass. Archbishop Eamon Martin, Roman Catholic Primate of All Ireland, celebrates the Christmas Vigil Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, in a broadcast shared across Europe. Music is led by the Cathedral Choir, directed by Patrick McCusker.
Sunday 25th December (Christmas Day)
0700-1000 RTÉ Lyric FM. Vox Nostra with Vlad Smishkewych Join Vlad for Centuries of Christmas, his annual millennium of music, on this special festive day. He’ll explore the roots and branches of the heart-warming musical traditions around the Christmas celebrating-world, providing a magnificent musical accompaniment to your own celebrations. New releases of seasonal recordings interweave with beloved favourites, in a glorious garland of melodies.
07.30. RTÉ One. Christmas in the Castle (repeat).
0800-0900. RTÉ Radio 1. A Christmas Leap of Faith. It’s not only the twelve Lords-a-leaping, as Siobhán Garrigan brings festive joy, musical treats and plenty of inspiration, in the company of a variety of guests on this Christmas morning.
1000-1100. RTÉ One & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra / LW252. Mass for Christmas Day. Jean-Luc Hudsyn, Auxiliary Bishop of Mallines/Mechelen, celebrates Christmas liturgy in the Santa’s own parish, Saint Nicolas de La Hulpe, in Belgium, with commentary and translation by Lydia O’Kane.
1000-1100. RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta. Réalta Órga Ríogacha Sa chlár seo, caitheann an tAthair Brian Ó Fearraigh súil siar ar an bhliain atá beagnach caite. Cloisfear ceol na Nollag, machnaimh agus scéalta le misneach, uchtach agus tógáil croí a thabhairt do na héisteoirí maidin lae Nollag. (Fr Brian Ó Fearraigh reflects on the year that has passed, and on the Christmas season, with atmospheric hymns and music to buoy our spirits this Christmas morning.)
1100-1145 RTÉ One & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra/LW252. Christmas Day Service A Presbyterian Service for Christmas Day with the orchestra and choir of New Irish Arts, led by Jonathan Rea.
1100-1145 Raidio na Gaeltachta. Aifreann ó Cill Éinde, An Spidéal, Co. Galway faoi stiúir an tAthair Daniel Gallagher.
1145-1210 RTÉ One. Urbi et Orbi. Pope Francis delivers his Christmas message and blessing “to the city and the world” in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
1210-1220 RTÉ One. The Archbishops’ Christmas Message. The Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Primates of All Ireland, Archbishops Eamon Martin and John McDowell, offer their traditional message, of peace, faith and love. This year, they travel to Dundalk, where their focus is on the challenges presented by the cost of living crisis and the invasion of Ukraine. (This message can also be heard on RTÉ Radio 1 at 1305-1315.)
1300-1600. RTÉ Lyric FM. Seán Rocks on Sunday. Séan Rocks presents an elegant mix of classical, carols and Christmas melodies on Christmas Day to ensure a captivating afternoon listen. With a selection of beautiful music from both the classical and folk idioms, which includes eclectic arrangements of well-known melodies, Séan also features a selection of writers reading extracts from their favourite seasonal prose. Christmas Day has a distinctive sound with Séan Rocks on Sunday.
1700-1800. RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta. Cosán na Naomh Is saothar nua ceoil é Cosán na Naomh leis an gcumadoir Máire Breatnach a thabharfas léargas uathúil ar leithinis Chorca Dhuibhne agus ar stair ársa an cheantair Gaeltachta seo. Ceol nua ar fad a bheas ann, curtha i láthair ag scoth na gceoltóirí, ina measc: Máire Breatnach (veidhlín & vióla) Mick O’Brien (píb uilleann & feadóga) agus Noreen O’Donoghue (cláirseach). Tá an saothar nua seo bunaithe ar Chosán na Naomh i nGaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne. Is ó Thrá Fionntrá, de réir traidisiúin a ghabhann siar breis is míle bliain, a thugadh lucht oilithreachta aghaidh ar Chnoc Bréanainn ar an gcosán ársa seo. Léiriú de chuid Stiúideo Cuan. (A new music commission by renowned musician and composer, Máire Breatnach, performed by piper Mick O’Brien, Harper Noreen O’Donoghue and the composer herself on Fiddle and Viola. This new work is a creative response to the dramatic landscape of Corca Dhuibhne in West Kerry, and the rich and ancient history of this Gaeltacht region. Cosán na Naomh is inspired by The Saints’ Path – an 18km pilgrim route through the West Kerry peninsula of Corca Dhuibhne. This is a Stiúideo Cuan production.)
Monday 26th December (St Stephen’s Day)
1300-1600. RTÉ Lyric FM. The Full Score with Liz Nolan Liz presents a poignant and beautiful concert recorded in St. Andrew’s Church, Kyiv, in the halcyon days of December 2020. Kirill Karabits conducts the Kyiv Soloists National Chamber Ensemble in a programme of music by the 18th Century Ukrainian-born composer Maksym Berezovsky, founder of the choral concert genre and composer of the first Ukrainian symphony and the first Ukrainian opera.
Berezovsky: Symphony in C (XIII)
Berezovsky: Symphony in G (XI)
Berezovsky: Symphony in C
Kostiantyn Vilensky: Dobryi vechir tobi, Ukrainian Christmas carol, arr. for string orchestra
Throughout this midwinter week we’ll be listening to highlights from Chamber Choir Ireland’s Northern Lights concert. Guest director Sofi Jeannin leads the choir in a programme anchored in Nordic Romantic tradition with music by Alfvén, Stenhammar and Sibelius.
1600-1800. RTÉ Lyric FM. Sounds Aglow with David Brophy. As the world calms on the day after Christmas, travel with David Brophy on a celestial journey, as he shares his musical selections, both sacred and secular, from traditions across the globe, to satisfy the soul on St Stephen’s Day. These two hours of music will soothe and surprise as David explores the myriad of ways in which humans mark this special season through the medium of music.
Friday 30th December
2200-2230. RTÉ Radio 1. The Leap of Faith You could call it a Leap Year, as Siobhán Garrigan shares a wonderful selection of interview and music highlights from The Leap of Faith over the past 12 months.
Saturday, 31st December
0700-1000. RTÉ Lyric FM. Daybreak with Evonne Ferguson. Join Evonne Ferguson as the day breaks on the final morning of 2022 for a selection of music to greet the new year including a selection of Handel highlights, plus Bach’s cantata Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied! BWV 190.
Sunday 1st January, 2023 (New Year’s Day).
1110-1155 RTÉ One & 1100-1145 RTÉ Radio 1 Extra / LW252. Methodist Covenant Service. Every year on the first Sunday of the year, Methodists renew their “covenant” of Christian commitment. This year’s Service with members of the Southern District of the Methodist Church in Ireland is led by the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev. David Nixon, and Lay Leader Tom Wilson.
1100-1145. RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta. Aifreann ó Séipéal Naomh Uinseann, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, Co. Kerry, faoi stiúir an tAthair Eoghan Ó Cadha.