Get ready to get comfortable on the couch.
Following on from their Christmas movie schedule, which you can see in full here, RTÉ have also revealed details of some of the TV higlights coming the way of viewers over Christmas.
The broadcaster will be celebrating Irish icons over the festive season with programmes such as Brendan Grace Thanks for the Memories the Concert, a one-off special filmed at the Olympia Theatre where famous faces paid tribute to the beloved comedian.
In Brendan Grace – A Late Late Tribute, viewers will be able to take a look back at Grace’s most memorable moments down through the years as a guest on The Late Late Show.
Following his recent passing, Niall Tóibín: Everyman is a celebration of the actor and comedian’s brilliant career and a look at his lasting legacy.
For documentary lovers, No Planet B: The Day We Took the Dáil is an emotional observational feature which follows 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.
Leaving Limbo is the inspirational 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. Back from the Brink, presented by Derek Mooney, demonstrates that with determination and passion, we can start to turn things around and re-build our fragile environment
The Big Christmas Rewind will look back through the years as various Irish celebrities and their families sit down together to rewind through a heartwarming mix of the best of Irish Christmas telly from years gone by.
Great Irish Interiors is 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 is 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.
As is the norm, Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas specials return and Agnes’ 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. Everyone in the Brown household is concerned at the news that the poisoner Peggy Piper has been released from prison, Winnie especially. Sue Vincent and Kevin Kennedy guest star.
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’s Music from D’Telly will feature 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. The return of Irish music sensations Westlife in 2019 saw sold-out performances in Croke Park and RTÉ will bring viewers an hour-long special of the summer concerts.
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, while a lonely Ger shows up to Christmas dinner at the Collins’, leaving Sharon horrified and Hayley caught in the middle.
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 Waterford while Donal Skehan offer tips and tricks to the holiday season in Super Food in Minutes.
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. On Playing with Words, a Cultural Journey through Sport, Darren Frehill will be 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.
On New Year’s Eve, Ireland’s Fittest Family – Celebrity Special, will see 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 will be welcoming in the new year along 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 magical night.
Finally, The NYE Countdown Concert from Custom House Quay in Dublin will begin for the spectacular midnight moment. Playing viewers into the New Year will be Walking on Cars, while music fans can see the whole concert, which will also feature Ash, Aimee and Lisa McHugh.
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