Friday 6th December
22.00-22.30 RTÉ Radio 1. Our Divine Sparks, with Dearbhail McDonald. As the newly restored Notre Dame de Paris reopens its doors, the Irish Passionist priest,Fr Aidan Troy, reflects on the cathedral which was his local church and the night he witnessed it being engulfed in flames.Theologian Gina Menzies offers fascinating insights into the Virgin Mary ahead of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Also, Dearbhail discusses the deep connection between religion, spirituality and music.
Saturday 7th December
0700-1000 RTÉ lyric fm. Daybreak with Evonne Ferguson. Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation and that’s the theme of this week’s Our Daily Bach. As there is no original cantata for this Sunday in Advent from Bach’s time in Leipzig, Our Daily Bach features Bach’s second setting of Luther’s Hymn Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland, his Cantata BWV 62 for the first Sunday of Advent 1724. The title is usually rendered in English as Saviour of the Nations, Come, but its literal translation is Now Come, Saviour of the Heathen.
Sunday 8th December
0930-1200 RTÉ 2 & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. Mass for the Reinauguration of Notre Dame de Paris. Live coverage of the first Mass to be celebrated in the newly restored Cathedral, five years after it was devastated by fire. The Principal Celebrant is the Archbishop of Paris, Mgr Laurent Ulrich. Commentary and translation by Fr Thomas McCarthy O.P..
Friday 13th December
22.00-22.45 RTÉ Radio 1. Our Divine Sparks, with Dearbhail McDonald. As Small Things Like These offers mainstream cinema audiences a fictional take on the Ireland of the Magdalene Laundries, Maureen Sullivan shares her lived experience of being sent to one, aged 12, after disclosing familial abuse. Also, Buddhists give an insight into the celebration of Bodhi Day; and we hear how the persecution of Christians is increasing around the world.
Saturday 14th December
0700-1000 RTÉ Lyric fm. Daybreak with Evonne Ferguson. As Gaudete (ie “Rejoice”) Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, approaches, take a joyful early morning musical journey with Gaudete settings from across the centuries and carols of rejoicing. Continuing the Advent theme of anticipation, Our Daily Bach will feature Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (‘Awake, calls the voice to us) BWV 140. Though this Cantata was written for the 27th Sunday after Trinity, it is often performed during Advent as the text and its themes of expectancy are also associated with the season.
Sunday 15th December
11.00-11.45am RTÉ One & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. Service for the 3rd Sunday of Advent. The Rev. Gillian Wharton leads Church of Ireland worship on Gaudete Sunday, with combined choirs and parishioners from Booterstown, Carysfort and Mount Merrion in Dublin.
Friday 20th December
22.00-22.30 RTÉ Radio 1. Our Divine Sparks, with Dearbhail McDonald. Andrea Corr talks about how her faith has remained and evolved throughout the highs and lows of her life and career. On the eve of the Winter Solstice, philosopher Richard Kearney considers the sacredness of nature in the Irish Celtic tradition. And we hear about the origins and traditions behind the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
22.00-Midnight Lyric fm. Ambient Orbit, Winter Solstice live broadcast. Once glistening hills of white quartz, the Carn Bán are the collection of Neolithic passage tombs in Co. Meath, also known as Loughcrew, from where Ambient Orbit brings you a special, live winter solstice outside broadcast from this symbolic site on the longest night of the year. Join us from the hills of the Loughcrew Megalithic tombs, also known as the Hills of the Witch (Sliabh na Caillí) for a tranquil mix of music, on-site ambience and live musical performances from Gareth Quinn Redmond and Elaine Howley. Tune in for musical folklore and solstice celebrations. While not religious, this special Winter Solstice programme is reflective and spiritual in tone.
Saturday 21st December
0700-1000 RTÉ Lyric fm. Daybreak with Evonne Ferguson On the weekend of the 4th Sunday of Advent, Our Daily Bach features the Cantata Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn! (Prepare the way, prepare the path) BWV 132, written by Bach during his time as Konzertmeister in Weimer and performed for the first time on 22nd December, 1715. And as we journey ever closer to Christmas, the carols continue!
1600-1830 RTÉ Lyric fm. Weekend Classics with Claudia Boyle. Soprano Claudia Boyle sets the mood for a relaxing weekend. Whether you are catching up on things, chilling out or enjoying leisure activities, unwind to some of the world’s most beautiful classical music. Claudia promises lots of treats on the show including her Musical Menu where she looks at Classical Music connections with food and drink; she will have many musical greats on the show (not including herself!) in Divas and Divos. There will also be something for the little ones in the house in Claudia’s Kids’ Classics, plus the show will be topped off with new releases and much loved melodies from across the genres. It’s December, so Claudia will have a selection of entrants in the 2024 Choirs for Christmas Competition from all corners of the country.
Sunday 22nd December
0700-1000 RTÉ Lyric fm. Vox Nostra with Vlad Smishkewych. Lux in tenebris: the theme of ‘light in the darkness’ is a fitting one for the day after midwinter solstice. Vlad explores music from centuries ago, including pre-Christian era music from Ireland and around the world (on historic instruments!), as well as music inspired by scientific and philosophical advancements that brought hope and light during troubled times. Plus, the music of Jean-Joseph Mouret brings a joyful touch to this Sunday’s programme with his famous Suite de Symphonies as well as pearls from his sacred and operatic works.
11.00-11.45 RTÉ One & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. Mass on the 4th Sunday of Advent, celebrating the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in supporting the most marginal, especially at Christmas time.
11.00-11.45 Raidio na Gaeltachta. Aifreann an Domhnaigh ó Shéipéal Naomh Peadar & Naomh Pól, Baile Dhúill, Baile Átha Cliath. Ceiliúraí an Aifrinn: An tAthair Gabriel Flynn. (Sunday Massfrom St. Peter ‘s & St. Paul’s Church, Baldoyle, Dublin. Celebrant: Fr Gabriel Flynn.)
16.00-18.00 RTÉ lyric fm. Weekend Classics with Claudia Boyle. See Saturday’s listing, above, for full details. This programme will include the announcement of the winner of Lyric fm’s Choirs for Christmas competition along with Claudia’s personal selection of Christmas music.
21.00-Midnight RTÉ lyric fm. Vespertine with Ellen Cranitch. Wistful, jolly, and exuberant, all at the same time on tonight’s programme, as we fill the Vespertine stocking with seasonal music from around the world. Heidi Skjerve makes tracks in the snow, Bob Dylan must be Santa, Anúna create sonic starlight, and George Shearing visits the famous Breton Carols. Not to mention Nigel Mooney’s 20th Century Christmas Blues, and Kate Bush making December magic again. Peace to all in this Christmas season.
Monday 23rd December
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 either the big or the small screen at 11am, and at midday each day Five of a Kind. On today’s show, Niall chooses a piece by the Italian baroque era composer and violinist Arcangelo Corelli whose works, including his so-called Christmas Concerto, had an enormous influence over the development of European classical music.
Tuesday 24th December (Christmas Eve)
13.00-16.00 RTÉ lyric fm. The Full Score. George Hamilton celebrates Christmas Eve with a concert from London’s Wigmore Hall, as The Sixteen perform an hour-long celebration of some of the finest Christmas music of the Renaissance along with some traditional carols from Ireland, England and the Basque country.
16.00-17.15 RTÉ Radio 1. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. Dean William Morton leads the annual re-telling of the Christmas story through scriptural readings and Christmas music, performed by the Choir of St Patrick’s Cathedral, conducted by The Master of the Music, Stuart Masterson.
20.00-21.15 RTÉ News Channel. Carols by Candlelight in Knock Basilica. Knock’s wonderful Schola choir, directed by Úna Nolan, perform a broad selection of carols, along with the Basilica’s Youth Choir, with accompaniment by the Con Tempo string quartet.
20.30-20.35 RTE ONE. The Kilkenny Nativity. St Luke’s account of the Christmas story told through the voices of the people of the city and county of Kilkenny. A follow-up to the much loved and multi award-winning Cork Nativity of 2020.
19.00-20.00 on RTÉ Lyric fm and 20.40-21.35 RTÉ ONE. Christmas in Kildare. Spend Christmas Eve in the company of Marty Whelan and Celine Byrne, as they present RTÉ’s annual Christmas show, this year, in St Brigid’s Cathedral Kildare, marking the 1500th anniversary or Ireland’s female patron saint. This special seasonal programme features the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney, with musical guests including Bell X1’s Paul Noonan, Lisa Hannigan, Rhiannon Giddens, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha with Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Kingfishr, Dulciana, The Theodora Byrne Trio, performance poet Samuel Yakura and star soprano, Celine Byrne, herself.
20.00-21.00 RTÉ Lyric fm. Oíche Chiúin, with Aedín Gormley. Aedín brings you an hour-long special selection of her favourite mellow seasonal music. As we head towards the big day, she will be playing music from classic movies and reflective, joyful tunes to make spirits bright. We know that this can be a challenging time of year for all sorts of reasons, and so we offer this beautiful programme of music as a space for calm and reflection amid the flurry.
23.00-Midnight RTÉ ONE & RTÉ Radio 1. Midnight Mass from St Mary’s church, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, celebrated by the Very Rev Thomas Thomas Dalzell PP, with liturgical music from St Mary’s Parish Choir, directed by Sarah Darlington, and the Children’s Family Mass Choir, conducted by Saoirse ní Chonachain-Bhriain. A Eurovision broadcast, shared with other broadcasters across Europe.
Wednesday 25th December (Christmas Day).
07.00-07.55 RTÉ ONE. Christmas in Kildare (rpt). See above for details.
08.00-09.00. RTÉ Radio 1. Our Divine Sparks at Christmas, with Dearbhail McDonald. Hear the most enchanting story in the world, as children share the wonder of a baby born in extraordinary circumstances. Dearbhail McDonald and guests also take us back over 2000 years, to offer an insight into life at that time, the reality of the events surrounding the nativity, and the timeless allure of the Christmas story.
10.00-11.00 RTÉ ONE & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. Mass for Christmas Day from the newly restored Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, with commentary and translation by Lydia O’Kane.
10.00-13.00 RTÉ Lyric fm. Centuries of Christmas. Vlad Smishkewych’s annual Christmas offering on RTÉ lyric fm with a millennium of music for this special festive day. He’ll explore the roots and branches of the heartwarming musical traditions around the Christmas-celebrating world, with a magnificent musical accompaniment to your Christmas celebrations. New releases of seasonal music interweave with beloved favourites in a glorious garland of melodies.
10.02-11.00 Raidio na Gaeltachta. Réalta Órga Ríogacha Smaointe, ceol agus iomainn Nollag leis an Athair Brian Ó Fearraigh. (Royal Golden Star. Thoughts, music and Christmas hymns with Father Brian Ó Fearraigh.)
11.00-11.45 RTÉ ONE & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. Service for Christmas Day. The Rev. William Jeffrey leads Church of Ireland worship with a choir and parishioners from Lisbellaw, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.
11.00-12.00 Raidio na Gaeltachta. Aifreann na Nollag as Cill Éinde, sa Spidéal, Co. na Gaillimhe. (Christmas Mass from Killiney, Spiddal, Co. Galway.)
11.45-12.10 Urbi et Orbi. People Francis’ Christmas Message “To the City and the World” from St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, with commentary and translation by Lydia O’Kane.
12.10-12.20 RTÉ ONE and 13.05-13.15 on RTÉ Radio 1. The Archbishops’ Christmas Message. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin, and his Church of Ireland counterpart, Dr John McDowell, deliver a shared message of peace in celebration of the birth of Christ.
13.00-16.00 RTÉ Lyric fm. The Full Score on Christmas Day. George Hamilton introduces a concert with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Karen Ní Bhroin. Enjoy, too, orchestral delights by Corelli, Handel and John Taverner. The sensational soprano, Ailish Tynan, sings popular favourites by Finzi and Mozart alongside much loved Christmas Carols.
16.00-16.10 RTÉ ONE. The Kilkenny Nativity (repeat).
18.00-19.00 Raidio na Gaeltachta. An tEaspag Alan Mac Eochagáin. Labhrann an tEaspag Alan Mac Eoghagáin le Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh faoina óige i gcontae Aontroma, an turas i dtreo na Sagartóireacht, tograí a raibh sé ina mbun mar Shagart Íosánach, agus a thréimhse mar Easpag ar Dheoise Rath Bhotha. (Bishop Alan Mac Eoghagáin speaks to Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh about his childhood in county Antrim, his journey towards priesthood, projects he led as a Jesuit Priest and his time as Bishop of the Diocese of Raphoe.)
19.00-21.00 RTÉ Lyric fm. Christmas Around the World with Paul Herriott. Paul brings us a playlist of Christmas music from around the world with seasonal live music recordings from Iceland, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Lithuania and Australia, courtesy of the European Broadcasting Union.
Thursday 26th December (St Stephen’s Day)
08.00-10.00 RTÉ Lyric fm. Centuries of Christmas, with Vlad Smishkewych: Travels and Traditions. Vlad’s annual Christmas specials explore unique traditions on the day after Christmas – through music. From St. Stephen’s Day wren-hunts and gift boxes, to carolling in the Americas, Spain, Eastern Europe and more, there so are many musical connections to explore. Who knows, you may even get to hear about some of Vlad’s favourite seasonal recipes.
13.00-16.00 RTÉ Lyric fm. The Full Score. George Hamilton introduces the Christmas Concert from La Scala Orchestra and Chorus, with Daniel Harding conducting Kirill Gerstein, piano, for Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy; we’ll also hear Brahm’s Symphony No. 2.
Friday 27th December
08.00-10.00 RTÉ Lyric fm. Centuries of Christmas, with Vlad Smishkewych: Magnificent Magnificats, Christmas Cantatas, and Awesome Oratorios. Vlad’s playlist this morning includes selections from Schutz’s, Johann Sebastian and CPE Bach’s Christmas oratorios, plus an assortment of motets and moments from cantatas and oratorios for Christmas. The glory of choral singing, instruments old, new and global, and the musical magic woven by composers throughout the centuries is sure to delight.
19.00-22.00 RTÉ Lyric fm. RTÉ LYRIC LIVE WITH PAUL HERRIOTT. From the jubilant opening chorus Jauchzet, frohlocket to the serene and tender arias, every note of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 celebrates the nativity story with reverence and exuberance. In this performance, the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Chorus present all six cantatas for an immersive and enriching audience experience full of joy and peace. Tonight’s broadcast was recorded in St Patrick’s Cathedral on 13th December, 2024. The Irish Baroque Orchestra & Chorus are directed by Peter Whelan, with sopranos Rowan Pierce and Aisling Kenny, altos James Hall and Francesco Giusti, tenors Jonathan Hanley and Christopher Bowen and basses Frederick Long and William Gaunt.
Saturday 28th December
07.00-10.00 RTÉ lyric fm. Daybreak with Evonne Ferguson. Join Evonne for a continuation of quality carols and a special festive Our Daily Bach. For the first Sunday after Christmas 1724, Bach composed the Cantata Das neugeborne Kindelein (The newborn infant child). Then, in his second yearasThomasKantor in Leipzig, Bach scored this work for four vocal soloists , a four-part choir, recorders, oboes, violins, viola and basso continuo with organ.
Sunday 29th December
11.00-11.45 RTÉ ONE & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. Service celebrating the work of the Christian development charity, Tearfund Ireland.
11.00-12.00 Raidio na Gaeltachta. Aifreann an Domhnaigh ó Theach Pobail Mhuire, Doirí Beaga, Gaoth Dobhair. (Sunday Mass from Our Lady’s Community House, Derrybeg, Gweedore, Co. Donegal.)
Saturday 4th January
07.00-10.00 RTÉ lyric fm. Daybreak with Evonne Ferguson. Evonne Ferguson will be up with the early birds to ease you into the weekend with her selections of music from across the centuries plus news and weather. In the first Daybreak of 2025, Our Daily Bach features a joyous cantata for the New Year – Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (Sing a New Song to the Lord).
Sunday 5th January, 2025
11.00-11.45m RTÉ ONE & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev. Dr John Alderdice, leads the annual Methodist Covenant Service, committing followers to Christian life and works for the year ahead.
Throughout the season, A Word in Edgeways offers short, daily reflections from various contributors, during Rising Time with Shay Byrne, each weekday at 0615 on RTÉ Radio 1.
There is also webstreamed Mass at 1030am each weekday on the RTÉ News Channel and a Mass OR Service each Sunday at 14.15, except on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.
For further information, please contact Roger Childs, Commissioning Editor of Religious Content: roger.childs@rte.ie / 087 953 7542.