Christmas Carols in Kildare show coming to RTÉ radio

A musical delight this December, RTÉ invites audiences to join in a celebration of the season on Christmas Eve with a spectacular concert, Christmas in Kildare, hosted by soprano Celine Byrne and presenter Marty Whelan at 8:40pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ lyric fm, and RTÉ Player. Featuring the RTÉ Concert Orchestra alongside an extraordinary lineup of artists, set against the stunning backdrop of the historic St. Brigid’s Cathedral in the heart of Kildare, this a concert not to be missed. This year's performers include May Kay, Paul Noonan of Bell X1, Lisa Hannigan, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, and Colm Mac Con Iomaire. Also joining the celebrations are the 25-strong all-female choir Dulciana, rising stars Kingfishr, the Theodora Byrne ensemble, Grammy Award-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens and the afore mentioned world renowned soprano and another Kildare native, Celine Byrne. 

On RTÉ Radio 1 this December, kick-start the festive listening with Around The World at Christmas with Loah at 8pm on Christmas Eve.

To get the Christmas Day festivities underway Christmas Miscellany will air at 9am offering a magical mix of words and music recorded in early December at an annual event at the National Concert Hall with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, featuring special guests.

David O’Doherty and his dad will bring listeners on a relaxing jazz journey as they reminisce by a grand piano at 5pm on Christmas Day in David O'Doherty and his Dad do Jazz.

Acclaimed Irish songwriter Oisin Leech will take listeners on a lyrical journey with tunes for the heart and soul in a Christmas Caravan Radio Special from 6pm.

Finishing off Christmas Day and Stephen’s Day - with interviews before worldwide fame, directly after it and on through the 90s right up to a couple from the past four years, Dave Fanning will deep-dive into the incredible career and life of one of Ireland’s most important artists, Sinéad O’Connor in Dave and Sinéad from 7pm.

As the year draws to a close, a new series, Routes, will ask the simple but profound question, ‘How did I get here?’ Each episode will weave together the meandering adventures and musical biography of a special guest starting with Rick Epping, originally from Southern California who decided to settle in the quiet south Sligo townland of Carrickbanaghar. Tune in on New Year’s Eve at 12pm on RTÉ Radio 1.

Ringing in the New Year, Louise Duffy will host Damien Dempsey in a Studio 8 Session at 12pm.

And on 2FM this Christmas Day catch-up on all of the biggest and best music and entertainment stories of the year with Lottie Ryan and Conor Behan.

Across the festive season 2FM will have celebrity takeovers where some well-known names in Irish entertainment will be handed control of the Christmas playlist. First up is Chubby Cat followed by Davina Devine.

The legendary 2FM Christmas Quiz will air on St. Stephen's Day where presenters will be pitted against each other to see who comes out victorious and has bragging rights for the next 12 months.