Christmas radio: Documentary looking at stories inside some of Cork's cafés among top picks
In the documentary Spill The Beans on RTÉ Radio 1 on St Stephen’s Day at 6pm, Brian O’Connell explores the human stories inside some of Cork’s cafes - places that can alleviate loneliness, spark romances, maintain friendships and build community.
Cafés are more than just places to get a daily shot and a pastry. They are sites of conversation, connection, and creativity.
In the documentary Spill The Beans on RTÉ Radio 1 on St Stephen’s Day at 6pm, Brian O’Connell explores the human stories inside some of Cork’s cafes - places that can alleviate loneliness, spark romances, maintain friendships and build community.
Brian hears from café owners who are trying to do all that, and spends time with a diverse and enlightening collection of customers, who are also drawn inside by a need for social connection.
Meanwhile, another RTÉ Radio 1 documentary heads to Cobh.
In The Irish Veterans Who Faced Homelessness And Found Each Other on RTÉ Radio 1 on Friday, December 27 at 3.30pm, Eimer McAuley meets a group of ex-personnel who faced homelessness after their service but found a place to live - and a new lease of life - in Cobh.
After leaving the Defence Forces, many veterans face housing insecurity, as some struggle to reintegrate. Here, they tell their stories of service and reflect on what life has been like since moving into the Cobh house, which was opened by the ONE charity, in a groundbreaking development that they hope will lead the way for veteran support in Ireland.
On a spiritual level, in Our Divine Sparks on RTÉ Radio 1 on Friday, December 20 at 10pm, Andrea Corr talks about how her faith has remained and evolved throughout the highs and lows of her life and career.
Forty years after the Pogues’ album Rum Sodomy & The Lash was released, The Lyric Feature on RTÉ Lyric FM on Sunday, December 22 at 6pm celebrates the landmark, with contributions from James Fearnley and Jem Finer of the band, as well as Shane’s sister Siobhan.
At the heart of the documentary is a portrait of a young Shane MacGowan at the peak of his creative powers.
Get into the festive mood with Christmas In Kildare on RTÉ Lyric FM on Christmas Eve at 7pm, as Marty Whelan and Celine Byrne introduce RTÉ’s annual Christmas concert from St Brigid’s Cathedral, marking her 1.500th anniversary.
Comedian David O’Doherty and his father, renowned jazz pianist, Jim Doherty, reminisce at a grand piano and listen to some of Jim’s favourite numbers in David O’Doherty And His Dad Do Jazz on RTÉ Radio 1 on Christmas Day at 5pm.
Finally, Doc on One – ‘Harwood, Johanna Harwood’ on RTÉ Radio 1 on Christmas Day at 2pm tells the amazing story of Irish woman Johanna Harwood.
She wrote the first two James Bond films, including one of the most famous visual jokes in the whole series. Now in her 90s (refusing to reveal her exact age) and living in Monaco, she looks back on a life as colourful and exciting as any Bond script.
