Christmas specials, documentaries and the RTÉ movie premieres all revealed
Christmas is all about family and friends and... well, what you sit around and watch with them on the telly. While there is usually plenty to keep us entertained on the box, it's good to know what's on our own channels, and this festive season, RTÉ haven't done too badly.
Take a look below:
Celebrating Irish Icons
Brendan Grace Thanks for the Memories the Concert
A one-off special filmed at the Olympia Theatre sees the cream of Ireland’s show business community pay tribute to one of the greatest Irish entertainers of all time. While 'Brendan Grace - A Late Late Tribute' takes a look back at comedian Brendan Grace's most memorable moments down through the years as a guest on 'The Late Late Show'.
Niall Tóibín: Everyman
Following his recent passing, 'Niall Tóibín: Everyman' is a celebration of Tóibín’s brilliant career and a look at his lasting legacy.
Garech Browne: Last Days at Luggala
A moving tribute to one of the greatest modern patrons of the arts.
Documentaries
Leaving Limbo
The inspiring story of teenage best friends Natasha and Minahil – who grew up in Athlone as asylum seekers and are now navigating the tricky task of acing the Leaving Cert.
No Planet B: The Day We Took the Dáil
An emotional observational documentary following three dynamic young Irish people who are passionate about climate change - and who are all on their way to Dáil Éireann to do something about it.
Back from the Brink
Presented by Derek Mooney, 'Back from the Brink' demonstrates that with determination and passion we can start to turn things around, and re-build our fragile environment.
Entertainment
Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas specials
'Mrs Brown’s Boys' is back once more with two new festive episodes, airing on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Agnes’s world is turned upside down when an angel arrives in Finglas and grants her a wish to see what life would be like if she’d never been born. Kevin Kennedy guest stars.
The Big Christmas Rewind
Irish celebrities and their families, including 'Derry Girls' stars Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Dylan Llewellyn, sit down together to rewind through a heart-warming and hilarious mix of the best of Irish Christmas telly from years gone by
Mary Kennedy: As Seen on TV
And as she hangs up her 'Nationwide' hat, this show spools back through the archives and selects some memorable moments from her 40-year television career.
For the Kids
Once upon a Time at Christmas
RTEjr’s brand new panto for Christmas 2019. Join the Big Bad Wolf as he tries to show the world that he has changed his ways for good and is now the Big Good Wolf. While a host of familiar RTEjr faces sing and dance their way to a happy ever after.
Great Irish Interiors
A new three-part series, following the fascinating work of historical interior experts as they transform Doneraile Court, Emo Court and Kylemore Abbey.
Ireland’s Rich List: 21st Century Hotshots
A two-part series, presented by Richard Curran, which goes through the top 30 billionaires and millionaires who make up this year’s Sunday Times Rich List, revealing what it takes to join this exclusive club.
Music
Carols from Kilkenny Castle
On Christmas Eve 'Carols from Kilkenny Castle' is presented by Mary Kennedy, featuring Colm Wilkinson, Claudia Boyle, Kilkenny's own Ronan Tynan, Jack L, Róisín Ó and her new band Thanks Brother and Hudson Taylor, accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and a host of local choirs.
Pat Shortt Music from D’Telly
A Christmas edition of Pat's show featuring festive favourites and rarely seen performances from some of Ireland’s best loved musical artists including Mary Black, Colm Willkinson, Sonny Knowles, Elvis Costello and more.
Westlife concert special
The return of Irish music sensations Westlife in 2019 saw sold-out performances in Croke Park. See how they got on in this hour-long special of the summer concerts.
Drama
Fair City
An hour-long 'Fair City' special on Christmas Day has families coming together with the early return of Sash Bishop, heavily pregnant with Orla and Wayne's baby, and a lonely Ger shows up to Christmas dinner at the Collins', leaving Sharon horrified and Hayley caught in the middle.
Movies
The Christmas Letter
A new Irish animation based on the true story of a Christmas letter to Santa found in Terenure, Dublin decades later, with the voices of Catriona Balfe, Fiona Shaw.
Float Like A Butterfly
Irish movie premiere with Hazel Doube as a woman champion boxer determined to make her ex-convict father proud.
Other movie premieres include:
Beauty and the Beast
Paddington 2
Bridget Jones's Baby
Damo and Ivor – The Movie
Office Christmas Party
Storks
Classic Christmas films such as 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory', 'The Santa Clause 2', 'Home Alone', 'Mrs. Doubtfire', 'Indiana Jones' and 'Back to the Future' will also feature over the festive season.
Food
Rory O'Connell blends his unique cooking style and ingenuity to create some interesting Christmas recipes in a two-part seasonal special. In search of mouth-watering Irish Christmas food, Neven Maguire heads to Co Waterford while Donal Skehan offer tips and tricks to the holiday season in 'Super Food in Minutes'.
Sport
The RTÉ Sport Awards 2019, presented by Darragh Maloney and Joanne Cantwell, will come live from Studio 4 in RTÉ. There’s also live coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup, and four days of live racing from the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.
The Second Captains are back with a New Year’s Eve special when the search for Ireland's Greatest Non-Sportsperson Sportsperson will continue.
In 'Playing with Words, a Cultural Journey through Sport', Darren Frehill is joined by some special guests, including authors Dermot Bolger and Louise Nealon.
'Shane Lowry - Open' sees award-winning filmmaker Ross Whitaker (Katie, Anthony Foley – Munsterman) tell the remarkable tale behind the Offaly man’s British Open win this summer while a radio documentary 'The Clara Jug: Four Days in Portrush' will also tell the story.
New Year's Eve
Ireland's Fittest Family - Celebrity Special
Reality star Brian Dowling, sports presenter Jacqui Hurley, athletes Rob and Maria Heffernan and actor David O'Sullivan get put through their paces in Kilruddery's famous Hell & Back course.
Una Healy and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Party into the New Year with Tipperary star Una Healy and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra together with a star-studded cast, including The Waterboys, David Gray, Wallis Bird, Brian Kennedy and many more special guests for what promises to be a truly magical night.
Following Una Healy's NYE Party, the NYE Countdown Concert from Custom House Quay in Dublin will begin for the spectacular midnight moment. Playing us into the New Year will be Walking on Cars. Music fans can see the whole concert with Ash, Aimee and Lisa McHugh also streamed live on RTÉ Player.