The broadcaster and journalist chats with Miriam about her latest (and seventh) novel ‘Whatever Happened to Birdy Troy’, her roots in Shannon, Co Clare native and her writing process

Chat with one of Ireland's foremost contemporary playwrights Marina Carr, whose latest work ‘Audrey or Sorrow’ has its world premiere at the Abbey Theatre later this month Full details: https://www.abbeytheatre.ie/

Music and chat with Fitz, Eddie and McGoo from indie-folk band KingfishR, supporting big-name bands and the music industry and mental health Official website: https://www.kingfishr.ie/ (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during the interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

Lisa Dwan chats about leaving Athlone in her teens on a ballet scholarship, moving into acting, and now life in London with her partner Paul and being a mother; she stars in the new RTÉ drama ‘Blackshore’

Music and chat with Niamh Dunne and Seán Óg Graham (from trad group Beoga), singer and harpist Bróna McVittie and whistle player Cormac Breatnach, who are on a Music Network tour all over Ireland in the coming weeks Full details: www.musicnetwork.ie

Father and son - and legendary Dublin footballers - Barney and Dean Rock chat about their family dynamic, playing so successfully at national level and what it’s like leaving the game behind

Chat with actor Hugo Weaving about his film career in the likes of ‘The Matrix’, ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ and the upcoming play ‘The President’ at the Gate Theatre Full details: www.gatetheatre.ie

Chat with the actor about his role co-starring with Andrew Scott in the new film ‘All Of Us Strangers’

The American country singer discusses the years of sexual abuse committed by her father Toby, leader of their family group The Willis Clan; her autobiography is ‘Unspeakable: Surviving My Childhood and Finding My Voice’

Celebrating the great songs of Brendan Graham, with Paul Harrington, Charlie McGettigan, Seán Keane, Eimear Quinn, Cathy Jordan and more... 'You Raise Me Up – The Songs and Stories of Brendan Graham' - full details: www.nch.ie (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this show cannot be made available in the podcast)

Film director George Clooney and actors Callum Turner and Joel Edgerton talk about their latest film ‘The Boys In The Boat’, about a team of rowers from the University of Washington who make it to the Berlin Olympics in 1936

Spoken word poet Stephen James Smith chats about literacy, mental health and the professional and personal adjustments needed after moving to Wexford; he curates the Therapy Sessions at the upcoming annual First Fortnight Festival Full details: https://www.firstfortnight.ie/

Singer/songwriter Thomas Walsh (previously of Pugwash and The Duckworth Lewis Method with Neil Hannon ) chats about making music, mental health and he also performs from his new solo album ‘The Rest Is History’ (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

Some highlights from interviews featured on the show this year, including conversations with Deepak Chopra, Eileen Walsh, Brendan Gleeson, Sandy Kelly, John Clarke, Al Porter, Nicola Hanney and Pat Jennings

Miriam welcomes Christmas morning with The Raines, historian Salvador Ryan, chef Paul Flynn and comedian Sinéad Culbert (and seasonal offerings from Derek Ryan & Emma Langford, Mick Lally, Fr Shaun Doherty, In Tua Nua and Midge Ure) (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during the programme cannot be made available in the podcast)

The Dublin boxer chats about growing up in the North Strand, the disappointment of being unsuccessful at the Tokyo Olympics, going professional and his career plans

The journalist Paul Caruana Galizia talks about his mother Daphne Caruana Galizia, a campaigning journalist in Malta who was assassinated by car bomb in October 2017; her family have campaigned for years for justice for their mother, the subject of his book ‘A Death in Malta: An Assassination and a Family’s Quest for Justice’

The former Tánaiste chats about just being elected the new chairperson of the Donegal GAA County Board, particularly when there are very few women operating at that level of the GAA

Chat with musician Colm about playing at the funeral of Shane MacGowan on Friday and in particular duetting with Nick Cave on ‘A Rainy Night In Soho’

The actor/director/teacher/writer has written a memoir ‘The Price of Silence’ (published by Menma Books) about her life, which included getting pregnant by a married man, going to a Mother & Baby Home secretly and having to give up her only child for adoption, a daughter who contacted her 26 years later.

Chat with the Australian writer/columnist and author of ‘Reasons Not to Worry: How to be Stoic in Chaotic Times’ (published by Piatkus)

Chat with the Reverend Richard Coles, whose wide-ranging career spans pop music, being openly gay in 1980's London, finding the Church again and living with grief after losing his beloved husband 3 years ago. He is bringing his show ‘Borderline National Trinket’ to Dublin in January 2024. Full details: www.richardcoles.com/events

Chat with In Tua Nua, who burst onto the Irish music scene 40 years ago and, after a few years on hiatus, they are playing together once again and gigging around the country Official website: http://www.intuanua.com/ (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

Nicola tells what it was like being a victim of coercive control; her story is the subject of a powerful documentary on RTÉ One on Monday December 11th called ‘Taking Back Control’

Miriam chats with actress Saoirse Monica Jackson, best known for her role as Erin in Derry Girls but is now about to take on a more grown-up role in ‘The Doll Factory’ on Paramount Plus

The general manager of Ashford Castle lost his wife Stella to pancreatic cancer aged 55, and he now wants to raise awareness of the disease - how difficult it is to diagnose and to survive it

The singer/songwriter talks about her career trajectory, from writing songs in school to headlining at the National Concert Hall and finding a fan in Ellie Goulding Tour details: www.sorcharichardson.com (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

The mezzo-soprano talks about her career taking off thanks to the legendary singing teacher Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Dunne, losing her father to cancer, meeting fans and the advice she gives to opera students Performance details: www.taraerraught.com

Broadcaster and podcaster James O’Brien, spoke to Miriam about the state of U.K politics and his latest book; 'How They Broke Britain'. The book is published by WH Allen.

Miriam is joined by designer and creator Helen James. Helen's work is seen and sold in Dunnes Stores shops across Ireland. This interview was pre-recorded before the news of the death of Ben Dunne. Her book is entitled; Author: A Sense of Home.

The great footballer, who played in goals for Northern Ireland, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs, this week was back in his home town of Newry to unveil a statue in his honour

Chat with the country music singer Sandy Kelly about her new memoir ‘Sandy Kelly: In My Own Words’ and her new album: ‘Leaving It All Behind'

Actor/writer Stephen Jones and actor Elva Trill chat about their new Dublin drama ‘Northern Lights’, which starts on TG4 this week

Author Liz Nugent and neurologist Professor Richard Walsh talk about how a condition called Dystonia causes her daily pain and the deep brain stimulation treatment that may help

Martin Doyle has written a book called ‘Dirty Linen: The Troubles In My Homeplace’, telling a personal account of The Troubles through the lens of what happened in his own home place in the rural parish of Tullylish, Co Down

Steo Wall brings us songs from his new album ‘Street Wisdom for Lost Souls’; he also talks about his traveller grandmother Sarah Doran and what he has learned from Christy Moore and Damien Dempsey (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during the interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

Chat with Sonia O'Sullivan, one of Ireland’s greatest-ever runners. She chats about being a coach on Ireland’s Fittest Family and also, the latest generation of Irish athletes

Roddy Doyle chats about his contemporary Dublin take on Peter Pan, which is coming to the Gate Theatre in November Full details: www.gatetheatre.ie

John Clarke talks about coping since the death of his wife Marian Finucane in 2020 and why he wanted to write the memoir ‘Finucane & Me: My Life with Marian’

Chat with musicians Zoe Conway and John McIntyre. Zoe is Associate Artist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and they will perform ‘From a Forest to a Fiddle’ at the National Concert Hall in November. Tickets at: www.nch.ie (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

30 years ago Alan McBride lost his wife Sharon when she was killed in the IRA bombing of Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road. Since then he has been engaged with rearing their daughter, peace-building and is a director of the WAVE Trauma Centre in Belfast

Chat with the adventurer and naturalist Steve Backshall, who is also a documentarian/adventurer-in-residence for the National Geographic Channel and Strictly Come Dancing contestant in 2014. He will be bringing his stage show ‘Ocean’ to 3Olympia, Dublin on 10th November Tickets: https://mcd.ie/artists/steve-backshall

Chat with the political journalist who has collected columns from her long newspaper career for her new book ‘An Eye on Ireland: A Journey Through Societal Change’ (published by Hachette)

Chat with the Druid Theatre artistic director Garry Hynes, who has just been named Best Director in the UK Theatre Awards for DruidO’Casey staging of three Sean O’Casey plays in one day (The Plough and The Stars, The Shadow of a Gunman and Juno and the Paycock)

The very talented Dublin ballet dancer explains why he's turning his back on the Leaving Cert to go to the English Natioanl Ballet School in London Go Fund Me details: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rian-train-in-london

Chat with Helen Goldin Mountcashell, Patrick Bergin and Noel Howard about the 19th century divorce case that caused a sensation in Ireland - that of Lady Louisa Moore Morgan and Captain Richard Morgan. It is the subject of Noel's book ' Terror, Tears and Tragedy: The Mount Cashells and the Notorious Divorce Case of 1876'

The singer/songwriter from Clare chats about his musical inspirations and preparing for his upcoming tour (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during the interview cannot be made available in the podcast) Official website: https://oscarbluemusic.com/

Chat with the journalist/author Stephen Walker about taking an honest look at one of the great Irish peace-makers of the 20th century in his biography 'John Hume: The Persuader' (published by Gill Books)

Chat with the Limerick playwright Joanne Ryan whose play ‘In Two Minds’ is inspired by her mother who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder late in life. It is part of the Dublin Theatre Festival, produced by Fishamble Theatre Company. Full details: https://dublintheatrefestival.ie

Chat with the singer/songwriter John Grant about loving the music of Patsy Cline, growing up in Michigan and collaborating with Sinead O’Connor Sligo Live details: https://sligolive.ie/

Chat with the British tv and radio host about her book ‘The Strength of Love: Embracing an Uncertain Future with Resilience and Optimism’, about how her world changed in March 2020 when her husband Derek contracted Covid, from which he is still recovering

Fiona Whelan Prine, the wife of the late American singer-songwriter John Prine talks about keeping his musical legacy alive with his record label Oh Boy Records, which has just signed Mick Flannery

Chat with actors Stephen Brennan and his daughter Kate Stanley Brennan about the family acting legacy and performing together on stage for the first time in the upcoming Abbey Theatre production ‘Somewhere Out There You’ by Nancy Harris

Chat with Deepak Chopra, who is in Ireland this week as a guest of the Irish Film and Television Academy; he is one of the world’s best-known advocates for wellness and alternative medicine

Kerry tenor Gavan Ring and violinist Patrick Rafter chat about the songs made famous by Count John McCormack and Fritz Kreisler, which they'll perform in 'The Elements of Genius' at the National Concert Hall in October Full details: https://www.nch.ie

Hannah Tyrell, former All-Ireland soccer and rugby player and sports pundit chats about her sporting career, her wife Sorcha, new motherhood and the importance of mental health supports in her life

The hotelier, tv presenter and author chats about walking the Camino and his new book ‘Age Is Just A Number: Making The Most of Every Decade’ (published by Gill Books)

Chat with the chef/owner of The Tannery restaurant in Dungarvan about ‘Butter Boy’, a new collection of his weekly Saturday columns for The Irish Times

Chat with Orla Tinsley, the longtime campaigner and advocate for people living with cystic fibrosis and now a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Literature from UCD

Chat with the man preparing to take over the chair of The Late Late Show

Six years ago, comedian Al Porter was at the top of his game before it all came crashing down in the most public way possible. He chats to Miriam about the drastic changes this prompted him to make to his life and returning in a stand-up tour 'Al Porter: Now'. Official website: https://alporter.ie/

Chat with author Anne Enright about the lockdown walks that helped inspire her new novel 'The Wren, The Wren' (published by Jonathan Cape)

Giants of traditional Irish music for almost four decades, we have music and chat from Altan For tickets for Altan's upcoming shows in The National Concert Hall, Denmark, France, England and more, visit: https://altan.ie/live/

One of the most anticipated books of 2023, Miriam is joined by New York Times bestselling author Ann Napolitano about her Irish heritage and her new novel Hello Beautiful

Ahead of the staging of Every Brilliant Thing at the Galway Arts Festival, we hear from theatre director Andrew Flynn on why he wants us all to compile a list of Every Brilliant Thing in our lives If you want to get involved and submit all the brilliant things in your life, email everybrilliantthinggalway@gmail.com

From a tenement slum in Glasgow to Ultravox and Band Aid, Miriam chats with Rock royalty for more than 50 years Midge Ure ahead of his visit to the Forever Young Festival.

From DJ to priest, after 30 years on air with his popular chat show on Highland Radio, Miriam chats with the newly ordained Fr. Shaun Doherty

“Epic, riveting and jawdropping”... As she takes the Abbey stage with Marina Carr’s new play Girl on an Altar, Miriam is joined by the Cork born actress

Marking 15 years together, as they release their new album and new music, Miriam chats with The High Kings

It’s Derby Day at the Curragh and as she returns to the racecourse following her cancer diagnosis last year, Miriam chats with racing royalty Jessica Harrington

Music and chat from the talented singer songwriter who is about to hit the festivals around the country. (Offaly, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Laois, Derry, Kildare and Dublin). Full details: https://lnk.bio/roisino

Recognising the incredible achievements of the women of Ireland, Miriam chats with two of the recipients of the inaugural Women of Vision Awards

One of Ireland’s greatest rugby players, Hugo joins Miriam to talk about his battle for those with intellectual disabilities in the workplace, his pride in being awarded an OBE and the forthcoming World Cup.

Miriam chats with RTÉ Europe Editor about his grandfather, Galway man Michael Connelly, who was a constable in the RIC and is the subject of his documentary 'His Hidden History' on RTÉ 1 tomorrow, Monday 12th June

Chat with leading actress Agnes O'Casey and director Lisa Mulcahy about their new Irish psychological thriller 'Lies We Tell', which premieres at this year's Galway Film Fleadh

Home from Haiti, which is in the midst of a plague of kidnappings and murders, we hear from the brave Westport woman battling for the most vulnerable children, in the Special Needs Programme in the Little Brothers and Sisters orphanage near Port-au-Prince To donate: https://www.nph-ireland.org/

'An Uneasy Inheritance: My Family and Other Radicals' is an enthralling family memoir from The Guardian columnist, as she recounts her family’s highly privileged background and their fight against the British class system

Cara Dermody is the remarkable 12-year-old who will be sitting the Leaving Cert. Maths Paper 1 exam next week to raise funds for autism services in Ireland Support Cara’s Maths Challenge at Go Fund Me - https://www.gofundme.com/f/caras-extraordinary-maths-challenge/donate

Following the release of their debut album ‘Reverie’, live music and chat with Ruth Dillon, Yvonne Tiernan and Julianna Erkkonen from the Galway-based folk Americano band Full tour details: https://theraines.ie/live-dates (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during the interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

Ahead of his return to Ireland, chat with Steve Earle, the writer of ‘Galway Girl’ and multi-Grammy award winner who returns to Irish shores as part of his upcoming European tour Tour details & tickets: http://www.steveearle.com/

Miriam chats to the parents of Rylee O’Shea, a little girl born in Cork University Maternity Hospital last week who is especially precious, her mother having suffered 23 miscarriages over the previous two decades

Chat with the Dublin, Ireland and Manchester United football legend who is the subject of an RTÉ documentary ‘Kevin Moran: Codebreaker’ which airs 29th May

Chat with Cork actress Siobhán McSweeney, who recently won a BAFTA for her role as Sr Michael in Derry Girls and next month will be on stage in Cork and Dublin in Samuel Beckett’s “Happy Days” Full details: www.landmarkproductions.ie/production/happy-days/

Renowned pianist Barry Douglas brings his Camerata Chamber Orchestra - formed at the time of the Good Friday Agreement - to the National Concert Hall on 1st June for their 25th anniversary celebrations Full details: www.nch.ie

Stephen Nolan, the BBC Northern Ireland presenter explains why he wanted to make his new documentary series ‘Feed Yourself Fitter’ in which he tries to learn to cook and understand healthy food

Imelda May chats with Miriam about preparing for her theatre debut in 'Mother of All the Behans', Peter Sheridan's story of Brendan Behan’s mother Kathleen (it opens at Dublin’s 3Olympia from August 15th / www.3olympia.ie)

Iarla Ó Lionáird teams up with pianist Cormac McCarthy and clarinetist Matthew Berrill in a special and unique nationwide concert series (May 20-Féile Binn Éadair, Howth, Dublin/May 21-Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire/June 9-Kenmare Butter Market/ June 10-Doolin Folk Festival/Aug 9-Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Mullingar

This year the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation celebrates it's 30th anniversary and Miriam is joined by Hospice CEO Martina Jennings and hospice supporter Laurita Blewitt (who is, of course, Joe Biden's cousin)

The renowned conductor explores the 'History of Soul' music with the RTE Concert Orchestra, at the NCH on May 18th Full details: www.nch.ie

After the most important sunrise of the year, the 'Darkness Into Light' walk for Pieta, and following the death of her sister to suicide Sandy tells Miriam why it’s so important to reach out to someone struggling Samaritans Freephone: 116 123 Pieta House Freephone 1800 247 247 (or text the word HELP to 51444)

One of Hollywood’s legendary film stars reflects on her long career and celebrates the 50th anniversary of her iconic film 'The Wicker Man'

Miriam is joined by the toast of Punchestown, Willie Mullins, who was crowned champion trainer for an extraordinary 17th time.

Tipperary's finest writer and director on touring Ireland with the stage adaptation of Donal's acclaimed novel 'From a Low and Quiet Sea'.

The multi award-winning songwriter, artist and producer joins Miriam to talk about his career and debut EP 'Brighter Side of Sorrow'.

Pete Wharmby tells Miriam how he was diagnosed with autism aged 34 and the everyday difficulties he addresses in his book ‘Untypical: How the World Isn’t Built for Autistic People and What We Should All Do About It’

Following President Biden’s visit this week, Miriam chats with Bronagh Hinds, one of the “pioneering women” and peace-makers he paid tribute to in Belfast

Music to lift the soul - soprano Claudia Boyle, pianist Conor Linehan and trumpeter Niall O’Sullivan present the operatic greats, part of their current Music Network tour April tour dates: www.musicnetwork.ie Sun 16 - Weds 26, Roscommon, Dún Laoghaire, Limerick, Thomastown, Ennis, Freemason’s Hall Dublin, Bray

Rory Carroll tells the extraordinary account of the 1984 Brighton bombing, when the IRA came terrifyingly close to killing British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the British Cabinet

Home from LA, Miriam is joined in studio by the renowned actor as he reflects on Ireland’s golden era for filmmaking. In the second part of his interview Brendan lends his support for St. Francis Hospice following the death of his parents there Further information: https://www.sfh.ie/

Advice for parents from psychotherapist Stella O'Malley on navigating the difficult teenage years, all of which is covered in her new book 'What Your Teen is Trying to Tell You'

Miriam chats with Tim Attwood and David Kerr about the defining image of the Good Friday Agreement, the famous triumphant moment when John Hume and David Trimble joined Bono on stage at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall

Music and chat from the living legend, Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon, ahead of their concert in Dublin next month

25 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, Patrick Kielty reflects on the problems that remain on the island for both sides and how a shared island might work for us all

As he takes to the stage in his first one man show in nearly 40 years, we hear from the award-winning director and producer.

Having opened her glove making business at the outset of the 2008 financial crisis, Paula Rowan has gone on to sell her products to Madonna, Lady Gaga and many more big names.

We hear from the inspiring Mags Riordan, who in 2004 founded the healthcare centre (Billy's Malawi Project) in her son's memory. 'In The Name of the Son', a documentary on Mags' work, will be broadcast Thursday March 23rd on RTE One at 22.15

As the humble Trocaire box marks 50 years in Irish homes, Miriam chats with their CEO Caoimhe de Barra about Ireland’s solidarity with those in the developing world Official website: https://www.trocaire.org/

The comedian and satirist-turned- communications specialist tells Miriam why he’s opted for a career change

The German born country music singer on her love of Ireland and Irish music (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during the interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

From the BBC News to Come Dancing, presenter Angela Rippon chats with Miriam about her extraordinary career in broadcasting

The Irish conductor/composer chats about her new production 'Daughters of the Pirate Queen: The Spirit of Grace O'Malley' in the National Concert Hall (with Emma Langford, one of the 8 female performers in the show) (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during the interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

As we’re asked this month to 'Drink Tea for MND', Marilyn tells Miriam of her determination to live life to the full following a diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease Full details of campaign on IMNDA website: https://imnda.ie/drink-tea-for-mnd-2023/

Music and chat from the hugely-talented singer/songwriter as he marks the centenary of the birth of Brendan Behan (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during the interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

A story of courage and resilience in the face of near tragedy, Liam and Sinead chat with Miriam about their ongoing battle for justice for their daughter Elizabeth following a devastating fire in Qatar 9 years ago

Amanda and Fred tell of their return to the Gaeltacht for a new RTÉ tv series 'Réaltaí na Gaeltachta', to relive bunk beds, the Bean an Tí and the no-Bearla rule

Miriam chats with producer/screenwriter Jemima Khan about ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’, the film inspired by her life in Pakistan when married to its former Prime Minister Imran Khan

Taking to the stage in Enda Walsh’s ‘The New Electric Ballroom’ at The Gate, Miriam chats with acting royalty (and sisters) Barbara and Jane Brennan

As he tours with his new album ‘In Another Light’, music and chat with renowned Cork singer/songwriter John Spillane (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during the interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

Showcasing his homage to Dublin as he opens London Fashion Week, chat with Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe

Ahead of the documentary ‘Mary Kennedy: Fad Saoil’ on TG4 next week looking at ways of staying healthy and ageing well, chat with broadcaster Mary Kennedy and Professor Rose Anne Kenny, who is founder of the TILDA study

Ahead of their concert in Dublin as part of their biggest world tour yet, music and chat with Def Leppard’s front man Joe Elliott

Victoria Smurfit talks about her nerve-wracking appearance on Celebrity Mastermind to raise funds for Fighting Blindness, and why this is a charity very close to her heart https://www.fightingblindness.ie/

After suffering multiple miscarriages, award-winning journalist Kathy Donaghy explains how being pushed to the brink led to her writing her memoir 'Finding My Wild'

Music and chat with the talented young singer songwriter, who has recently released his debut single 'Waterfall' (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during the interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

Paul Howard, the creator of Ross O'Carroll Kelly, chats to Miriam about his latest children's book 'Aldrin Adams and the Legend of NemeSwiss'

Music and chat from Finbar Wright, recipient of an award as Cork’s No 1 performer over the past 30 years and ahead of his nationwide tour (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during the interview cannot be made available in the podcast) Tour dates: https://www.finbarwright.com/

Miriam chats with three generations of an Irish family who all work at the cutting edge in the fight against breast cancer - Gordon Watson, his son Bill and Bill’s daughter Louise

As we approach the end of the Decade of Centenaries, Miriam chats with Dr Maurice Manning, the Chair of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations

Father and daughter John and Trish tell Miriam about the life-saving operation that’s brought them even closer together (pic courtesy Maria Pepper, Wexford People) If you support organ donation - tell family, carry an organ donor card, include Code 115 on drivers licence or use ‘digital organ donor card’ App. Organ Donor Cards - www.ika.ie

The singer/songwriter and writer/director on their new play ‘Tales From The Holywell’ at the Abbey Theatre, which is based on a journey through Damien’s life and which is directed by Conor (for copyright reasons the full track performed during the interview cannot be made available in the podcast)

Tom Dunne and Jack O’Rourke, two of the special guests who'll be joining the RTÉ Concert Orchestra for their tribute show Thin Lizzy Symphonic at the end of March (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during the interview cannot be made available in the podcast) For concert details: www.nch.ie

Having had a sixth heart stent inserted before Christmas, the comedian Jason Byrne tells Miriam of his renewed approach to life

Miriam chats to actress Norma Sheahan about playing Willy Russell’s iconic heroine Shirley Valentine at the Gaiety Theatre, and keeping fit and healthy For further details: www.gaietytheatre.ie

Film-maker John Carney, whose latest film ‘Flora & Son’ will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival

Miriam talks to Mary and Michael Kingston, whose son Tim died 44 years ago in the Whiddy Island disaster in Cork; their story is the subject of an RTÉ radio Documentary on One, ‘Fire In The Sky’ www.rte.ie/radio/doconone/1248106-fire-in-the-sky

Live music and chat with D Cullen and his band, whose new album is 'Sing My Story, Tell My Song' (for copyright reasons the full music in the interview is not on the podcast) Official website: www.dcullenmusic.com

A special look-back to some of the guests Miriam spoke to during 2022 - Anne Enright, Brian Cox, Vicky Phelan with Vincent Devine and David Brennan, Kieran and Orla Walsh, Patrick Kielty, John Boorman with Brendan Gleeson, Phil Coulter

Colm Tóibín reads a Christmas excerpt from his own novel 'Brooklyn' and from the Dickens classic 'A Christmas Carol'

Fr Michael Collins reflects on how Christmas lights up the darkest part of the year

Suggestions from chef Wade Murphy (of the 1826 restaurant in Adare) for how to make best use of all the food in the house at Christmas

Miriam talks to Professor Kate Wall, community worker Tommy Coombes, garda Tim Allen and nurse Darren Hehir about how they will be spending Christmas Day

Frank McGuinness reads his poem 'Buncrana, Christmas Eve'

A Christmas reflection from Pat Storey, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath & Kildare

We hear of the huge benefits of the COVID care concerts and have music from both.

Redmond and Geraldine, The remarkable parents of young Sligo footballer Red Óg Murphy who died by suicide in April, implore anyone in a dark place this Christmas, to speak with someone and talk about their problems.

Anna chats with Miriam about her new series helping rural singletons find love.

As they celebrate their first Christmas with their new baby girl, Stefanie and her husband Noel tell of their joy at becoming parents following five miscarriages

Ahead of sold-out concerts in Dublin this Christmas, music and chat from the Dublin trio

From Paul Simon to Bono, Miriam chats with the Pullitzer prize winning poet and lyricist

Having been given little chance of survival after being born conjoined, as the Benhaffaf twins Hassan and Hussein turn 13 Miriam chats with their mother Angie about what life is like for the boys now

Camille O'Sullivan celebrates the extraordinary life of iconic French chanteuse Edit Piaf in her show 'Piaf' Full details on the Gate Theatre website at: https://www.gatetheatre.ie/production/piaf/

The former priest from Co Clare who, despite public fear and misunderstanding, worked with sick and dying gay people at the height of the AIDS pandemic in 1980's New York

Chat with the extraordinary young mother, this year’s National Carer of the Year, who describes life caring for her husband’s dementia and MND Web: https://www.gofundme.com/f/5eg8q-help-kieran-oshea

The talented Clare Island musician Niall McCabe joins Miriam for music and chat Website: https://www.niallmccabe.com/

Joe Jackson discusses his biography "Richard Harris: Raising Hell and Reaching for Heaven"

Miriam chats with the young man who was forced to leave school because of bullying and who is now a DJ and mental health campaigner

Miriam chats with the acclaimed Irish author who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2022

Chat with the singer/songwriter who will soon be on nationwide tour with her latest album 'Gimme Some Wine'. Full details at: https://eleanormcevoy.com

As he prepares to leave his Irish home after more than 50 years, Miriam chats with legendary film-maker John Boorman, with tributes from friends Brendan Gleeson, Paul McGuinness and James Morrissey

Ahead of receiving the Irish Presidential Service Award, Miriam chats with the courageous couple who, having lost their own son Rory to sepsis, tell of their campaign to make us all more aware of the life-threatening infection