Dearbhail McDonald offers a fresh and engaging exploration of religious and spiritual life as well as an occasionally offbeat perspective on the world of belief. On 22nd November, she explores whether religion has a place in Irish politics, comparing how religious stations in the USA influenced the outcome of the recent election. Also, on the anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination, she considers the special place he held in Irish hearts alongside pictures of the Sacred Heart and the Pope.
About: The Divine Spark is an exciting new addition to the RTÉ Radio 1 schedule, offering a fresh, engaging and thought-provoking look at religious and spiritual life both in Ireland and overseas.
Hosted by award winning journalist Dearbhail McDonald, the show will explore the beliefs and values that shape people’s lives, while addressing key issues where faith and society intersect.
The show will be rich in texture, with a mix of interviews, discussions, immersive walkabouts, radio diaries, and real-life stories. The Divine Spark promises to inspire, engage, and challenge both believers and sceptics alike.
Dearbhail McDonald brings warmth, energy, and intelligence to the series, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in a fresh approach to faith and spirituality.
Produced by award winning producers Yetti Redmond and Aideen McLoughlin of Old Yard Productions (The Business with Richard Curran), listeners can expect lively conversations with new voices and perspectives that will explore and demystify the ever-changing world of religion and spirituality.
The Divine Spark will be an agenda-setting, engaging and informative programme that offers an incisive, constructive and occasionally offbeat perspective on the world of religion, spirituality and ethics. The series will be a compelling mix; broadcast with intelligence, warmth, energy, humour and passion – a captivating, dynamic and diverse addition to the RTÉ Radio One schedule on Friday nights, both on-air and on-line. In addition, The Divine Spark will host a Christmas morning special from 8 – 9am.
Dearbhail McDonald is an award-winning Irish journalist, author and broadcaster. A global Eisenhower Fellow, she has presented numerous programmes on radio for RTÉ and BBC. She also presented ‘The Last Nuns in Ireland’, a compelling, thought-provoking and deeply moving exploration of the unique roles played by nuns in Irish life. A law and journalism graduate, she started her career in print, focusing mainly on religious affairs in her early years. In 2016, she was appointed Group Business Editor of Independent News and Media. She is a recipient of the Mary Cummins Award for Women of Outstanding Achievement in Media and a Special Alumni Achievement Award from Dublin City University for her contribution to public affairs journalism.
