RTÉ have announced their new season of TV and streaming content across scripted, entertainment, factual and more extensive programming.
The schedule will be led by the return of The Late Late Show from Friday 13th September, with Patrick Kielty back in studio for a second season, with a number of specials and surprises in store.
There will be an array of new Irish drama debuting. The Boy That Never Was stars Colin Morgan, Toni O’Rourke and Simon Callow, telling the story of an Irish couple whose son disappears during an earthquake in Morocco. IFTA-nominated thriller The Gone starring Richard Flood, Carolyn Bracken and Acushla-Tara Kupe returns, as Detective Theo Richter teams up with Kiwi Detective Diana Huia in a desperate search for a missing Irish journalist in New Zealand.
RTÉ has three new distinct, original Storyland dramas to showcase fresh Irish emerging talent. I’m Yours is a modern drama following Zo, a successful solicitor navigating the clash between her Irish and Pakistani identities as she prepares to meet her arranged fiancé for the first time. SHUSH is a psychological thriller that asks how far a mother would go to keep her baby close. Did You Hear About Erskine Fogarty? is a darkly absurd comedy based on Blindboy Boatclub’s short story, starring Robert Sheehan.
As Fair City prepares to celebrate its 35th anniversary, one Carrigstown resident fights for their life, and family and neighbours are left reeling from secrets uncovered.
On the entertainment side, Dancing with the Stars and Ireland’s Fittest Family will both return for new seasons. Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy will return to host Dancing with the Stars as a host of new celebrities compete for the coveted glitterball. Ireland’s Fittest Family raises the stakes with new challenges like ‘The Drop Zone’ and ‘Raft Rage – The Rivals’. New series To Hell & Back with Ray Goggins will see the adventurer and former special forces soldier take A-list Irish celebrities on extreme outdoor adventures in some of the most inhospitable, hostile environments on the planet. There will also be new seasons of popular shows The Tommy Tiernan Show and The 2 Johnnies’ Late Night Lock-In.
Love in the Country, hosted by Anna Geary, promises to offer a heartwarming exploration of modern love against the backdrop of rural Irish life, as rural singletons go on a journey to find meaningful connections. Game show The Money List with Baz Ashmawy challenges teams of strangers from across Ireland to test their knowledge and wits for a chance to win big.
Season four of The Young Offenders sees the return of Conor and Jock to the streets of Cork, and there will be two special Christmas episodes of Mrs Brown’s Boys.
RTÉ One’s daytime programme Today continues to feature a blend of food, fashion, fun and famous faces with hosts Maura Derrane, Daithí Ó Sé and Sinéad Kennedy. Sketch comedy series No Worries If Not will return, starring a group of young Irish comedians.
Following the success of history of hurling series The Game, brand new four-part documentary series Hell for Leather looks at the complicated history and evolution of Gaelic Football told by the game’s best-known players, managers, coaches and observers. Réiteoir will probe the issue of referee abuse in Gaelic games, exploring solutions to foster a respectful sporting environment. Blindboy Boatclub will offer a fresh perspective on the legacy of early Irish Christianity in Blindboy: The Land of Slaves and Scholars.
RTÉ Player has drawn record-breaking audiences this year, with over 100 million streams to date in 2024. Player Originals will include Comedian Tony Cantwell stars in Good Boy, a fast-paced sitcom about a man navigating his thirties, career woes and a quest for an ADHD diagnosis, offering a hilarious yet heartfelt take on modern Irish life. Stand-up comedian Anna Clifford goes pub-hopping in Ireland’s Perfect Pubs, capturing the charm and character of more of the nation’s beloved public houses. Kayleigh Trappe, Demi Isaac Oviawe and other celebrities regale kids with ‘totally true’ stories in Storybud.
On the arts and culture side, U2's Adam Clayton explores the cultural impact of Irish showbands in Ballroom Blitz. Angela Scanlon takes an unfiltered look at the realities of confronting anorexia in Anorexia, My Family and Me. Imelda May revives lesser-known Irish folk songs with guest artists in An Leabhar Nótaí. In Creedon’s Musical Atlas of Ireland, broadcaster John Creedon embarks on a quest to discover how Ireland’s music has defined the nation. Aistear an Amhráin explores the stories behind Ireland’s most beloved songs, while An Ghig Mhór follows bands as they prepare for their first big gigs in their hometowns. Leading lights from the music world will descend on Dingle for Other Voices, while Anam: Songs for Hearts and Minds features Irish and international talents performing at Ireland’s historic national monuments. Na Féilte Tine is a four-part series exploring the indigenous Irish festivals that heralded the changing seasons – Samhain, Imbolg, Bealtaine, and Lúnasa – and their enduring significance as they evolve to respond to the spiritual and communal needs of the Irish in the 21st century. Listen to the Land Speak invites viewers on a journey around Ireland like no other with acclaimed writer Manchán Magan. Featuring poignant readings by Saoirse Ronan and insights from literary figures like John Banville, Christy Brown: Self Portrait brings to life the underappreciated poetic endeavours of the renowned writer and artist. Fintan O’Toole: The Nation We Strive to Be tells the story of the career of Irish Times journalist Fintan O’Toole in the year of his retirement.
New three-part factual series On the Beat provides an inside look at the daily lives of serving Gardaí in Ireland, following officers on duty in districts in Waterford, Longford and Dundalk. The Case I Can’t Forget looks at several major Irish investigations, with new episodes on ATM thefts, human trafficking, and a two-part special on Martin Cahill, The General. Addicts will see Professor of Neuroscience Brian Pennie uses his lived experience and his professional expertise to take viewers through the journey of addiction. This project is co-funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland (formerly Science Foundation Ireland).
Two-part documentary Noraid: Irish-America and the IRA looks at how Irish-Americans helped to keep the Provisional IRA's armed campaign going, but also ultimately brought it to a conclusion.
In a year of major elections worldwide, Cormac Ó hEadhra presents Vótáil, a four-part series that looks back on some of Ireland's most sensational election campaigns. A two-part Scannal special, Savita, looks back at Savita Halappanavar's tragic death and the role her story played in the eventual legalisation of abortion in Ireland.
Leathered is a first-person examination of the dark history of corporal punishment in Irish schools. Using the shocking testimonies of survivors, this documentary asks whether the Irish State now needs to formally reassess the scale and impact of physical abuse that was meted out to pupils in schools for decades. Lost for Words is an inspiring portrait of a diverse group of individuals who are overcoming the challenges and stigma of dyslexia and unlocking their full potential through practical care, patience and empathy.
Extraordinary Life - The Ben Dunne Story profiles the life and career of late businessman Ben Dunne.
In a new six-part RTÉ Radio 1 series Our Lives in the North, Úna Kelly looks behind the flags and the politics of Northern Ireland, to explore real life north of the border, while the new season of RTÉ Radio 1's Documentary on One kicks off with a nostalgic look at Bob Marley’s only ever Irish gig in Dalymount Park in 1980. The series also includes typically diverse Irish stories, from tales of 17th-century emigrants to today’s online incels.
A range of high-end natural history content will celebrate our island’s landscape, as well as shining a spotlight on the climate crisis. Ireland’s Coast, based on University College Cork's award-winning publication The Coastal Atlas of Ireland, is a breathtaking co-production narrated by Oscar-nominated Ciarán Hinds, exploring Ireland’s rich coastal biodiversity and history. Scéalta na Lochanna celebrates the history, culture and wildlife of the two largest loughs in Ireland, Lough Corrib and Lough Neagh. Why We Love Dolphins is an authored one-off documentary from the award-winning director and cameraman, Ken O’Sullivan, with remarkable first-time film footage of the dolphin community off the coast of Ireland. Tarrac na Farraige focuses on the fishing industry in Ireland, as workers grapple with a fragile industry on the cusp of seismic change. Following on from the award-winning two-part 2020 series, The Burren: Heart of Stone, Kerry: Stories from the Kingdom tells the story of Ireland’s most rugged and westerly landscape, capturing fascinating insights into Kerry’s unique ecosystems, habitats, wildlife, geology, archaeology and heritage. Heated, RTÉ One’s magazine series about climate and sustainability, shares new stories of those who are leading the fight for climate action across Ireland, while Welcome to Futureville imagines Ireland's future through the lens of scientific innovation and envisions the town of Athlone in the year 2050. This project is co-funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland (formerly Science Foundation Ireland).
A new season The Meaning of Life with Joe Duffy features conversations with an eclectic group of public figures including Sonia O’Sullivan, Bryan Dobson and Sinéad Burke. Eat/Sleep/Cheer/Repeat follows the athletes of Team Ireland as they prepare for the cheerleading World Championships. Raised by the Village sees a fresh group of city families moving their rebellious teens to the country, while Cailíní Comhraic follows female fighters in Ireland's thriving martial arts scene.
Best Place to Be, presented by Baz Ashmawy, explores the lives of Irish emigrants abroad, and La Vie sa Bhruiséil features members of the growing Irish-language community building careers and homes in the multilingual capital of Europe. Chef Neven Maguire discovers the best local eateries and food producers in Neven’s Coastal Towns. In Nico’s Cook In Cook Out, Nico Reynolds shares versatile dishes infusing Irish cuisine with flavours inspired by his Jamaican heritage. Donal Skehan offers fast, no-fuss meals for modern Irish families in Donal’s Real Time Recipes, and in Donal Skehan's Soul Food Shorts immerses himself in the culinary cultures of Ireland's minority faith communities. Legendary hoteliers Francis and John Brennan lend their expertise in At Your Service to Irish business owners transitioning into the hospitality industry.
Maggie Molloy uncovers some of Ireland’s most affordable properties in Cheap Irish Homes, while in Cheap European Homes she searches for budget dream homes across France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. This season, episodes extend to an hour long, and Maggie is joined by broadcaster and comedian Kevin McGahern. Dermot Bannon explores a variety of extraordinary living, working and social spaces across Ireland in Dermot Bannon’s Super Spaces, and will also have new design challenges across Ireland in Room to Improve. In a special episode, Dermot will help Julian Benson, founder of the Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, to transform a Victorian house into Tranquillity House – a sanctuary for people living with Cystic Fibrosis and their families during hospital treatments. Expanding this season to include stunning properties in Northern Ireland, Great Irish Interiors shows the meticulous restoration of iconic houses and castles across Ireland. The Great House Revival shares eight new projects, from an abandoned cow shed to a three-story Cork home, undergoing complete renovations.
Following a summer of action-packed Sport on RTÉ, the new season on RTÉ promises no let-up in live coverage this season. The Paris 2024 Paralympics continue with comprehensive live coverage across RTÉ. Live International, club and domestic soccer feature prominently this autumn with the Republic of Ireland Men taking on England, Greece and Finland in the UEFA Nations League, with all games live on RTÉ beginning with England at home on September 7. The Republic of Ireland Women will be in UEFA Women’s Euro 25 play-off action. The Republic of Ireland’s U21 Men continue their qualifying campaign for the UEFA U21 Euros in Slovakia next summer with games against Turkey, Latvia, Norway and Italy. RTÉ’s live coverage of The UEFA Champions League moves to Wednesday nights for 2024/25. And, as the domestic season reaches a conclusion this autumn, there will be live SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division action, along with live coverage of both Men’s and Women’s FAI Cup Finals.
As the nation draws its breath after exhilarating GAA Championships, RTÉ will have live AIB GAA Club Championship action throughout the autumn, and the Allianz National Leagues in the new year, ensuring GAA is served to audiences end-to-end throughout the year. In Rugby, the URC in September and the Men’s, Women’s and U20 Six Nations in spring will be shared live on RTÉ. Late August and September see live coverage of both the KPMG Women’s Irish Open from Carton House and the Amgen Irish Open from Royal County Down Golf Club. RTÉ’s longstanding commitment to Irish Horse Racing continues with live coverage of the Irish Champions Festival from Leopardstown and the Curragh in September before the traditional festive coverage of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. In December, RTÉ will look back on a momentous year of Irish sport and honour the greatest sportsmen and women 2024 on The RTÉ Sport Awards.
In a changing world, people face a barrage of claims and counterclaims and on many issues it is increasingly hard to tell whether something is fair opinion or a false "fact". To help counter disinformation, RTÉ will be launching Clarity / Soiléire, a strand of content across our platforms where audiences are offered greater insight. In the journalism published by RTÉ within the Clarity strand, RTÉ will help to demystify complicated issues, debunk deliberate attempts to distort reality, detail how online discourse impacts democracy, and explain exactly how RTÉ verifies its quality journalism. As Ireland faces an upcoming general election RTÉ News & Current Affairs will deliver unrivalled campaign and results coverage across all platforms in English and as Gaeilge including our daily flagship programmes on radio and television. RTÉ One will launch a brand-new Irish language weekly current affairs television series, Fóram, which will be broadcast live on Sundays, with news and analysis of major stories as Gaeilge.
Following on from the shocking and groundbreaking investigations on the Irish and European horse industries exposing the abuse horses can suffer after they leave the spotlight, the illegal side of Botox, the realities of Ireland's current abortion services and Women's Soccer in Ireland, already this year, the award-winning RTÉ Investigates team will deliver public service broadcasting at its very best in new and revealing documentaries this season. On Monday nights, Upfront with Katie Hannon will give the public the opportunity to share their views in an election year on key issues and to put their questions directly to those in power. Miriam O’Callaghan, Fran McNulty and Sarah McInerney along with the Prime Time team will delve into the issues affecting all our daily lives. The team will also provide its regular extensive coverage and scrutiny of all the big events, including Budget 2025.
Local and community-based Irish stories are at the heart of Nationwide as Anne Cassin and Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh host three programmes each week featuring community initiatives, entrepreneurs throughout the land, championing our biodiversity, insights into Irish history, and the extraordinary lives of ordinary people in different parts of Ireland.
Speaking on the launch of RTÉ's upcoming new season, Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General, RTÉ said:
“These programmes and series reflect the diverse and vibrant life of this island and its people. I think audiences of all ages will be captivated by the high-quality Irish drama on offer and entertained by the range of new shows and RTÉ’s comprehensive free-to-air sports coverage. In a world increasingly saturated with media choices, competition from other markets, and misinformation, my ambition is that RTÉ will continue to offer unique home-grown public service content and be a trusted source of reliable news. Our job is to tell Ireland’s stories with integrity, accuracy and creativity.”
