Please see below: religious content that will be aired on RTÉ for Advent and Christmas 2024
- Throughout the season, A Word in Edgeways offers short, daily reflections from various contributors, during Rising Time with Shay Byrne, each weekday at 6.15am on RTÉ Radio 1
- There is also web streamed Mass at 10.30am each weekday on the RTÉ News Channel and a Mass or Service each Sunday at 2.15pm, except on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Saint Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.
- BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle: Throughout the week, at 7.55am from Sunday 22 December to Friday 27 December – Thought For The Day will feature a special series of reflections from contributors on the theme of ‘hope’.
Saturday 21st December
7.00am – 10.00am RTÉ Lyric fm: Daybreak with Evonne Ferguson On the weekend of the 4th Sunday of Advent, Our Daily Bach features the Cantata Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn! (Prepare the way, prepare the path) BWV 132, written by Bach during his time as Konzertmeister in Weimer and performed for the first time on 22 December, 1715.
4.00pm – 6.30pm RTÉ Lyric fm: Weekend Classics with Claudia Boyle.
Soprano Claudia Boyle sets the mood for a relaxing weekend. Whether you are catching up on things, chilling out or enjoying leisure activities, unwind to some of the world’s most beautiful classical music. Claudia promises lots of treats on the show including her Musical Menu where she looks at Classical Music connections with food and drink; she will have many musical greats on the show (not including herself!) in Divas and Divos. There will also be something for the little ones in the house in Claudia’s Kids’ Classics, plus the show will be topped off with new releases and much loved melodies from across the genres. It’s December, so Claudia will have a selection of entrants in the 2024 Choirs for Christmas Competition from all corners of the country.
Sunday 22 December
7.00am – 10.00am RTÉ Lyric fm. Vox Nostra with Vlad Smishkewych.
Lux in tenebris: the theme of ‘light in the darkness’ is a fitting one for the day after midwinter solstice. Vlad explores music from centuries ago, including pre-Christian era music from Ireland and around the world (on historic instruments!), as well as music inspired by scientific and philosophical advancements that brought hope and light during troubled times. Plus, the music of Jean-Joseph Mouret brings a joyful touch to this Sunday’s programme with his famous Suite de Symphonies as well as pearls from his sacred and operatic works.
8.30am BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
Sunday Sequence will reflect on the spirit and significance of Christmas in current times and hear what the main ethical challenges are likely to be for the new year of 2025.
Sunday Sequence at 8.30am on Sunday 22 December and at 9am on Sunday 29 December will reflect on the spirit and significance of Christmas in current times and hear what the main ethical challenges are likely to be for the new year of 2025.
11.00am – 11.45am RTÉ One & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. Mass on the 4th Sunday of Advent, celebrating the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in supporting the most marginal, especially at Christmas time.
11.00am -11.45am Raidio na Gaeltachta. Aifreann an Domhnaigh ó Shéipéal Naomh Peadar & Naomh Pól, Baile Dhúill, Baile Átha Cliath.
Ceiliúraí an Aifrinn: An tAthair Gabriel Flynn. (Sunday Mass from Saint Peter’s & Saint Paul’s Church, Baldoyle, Dublin. Celebrant: Fr Gabriel Flynn.)
4.00pm -6.00pm RTÉ lyric fm. Weekend Classics with Claudia Boyle.
See Saturday’s listing, above, for full details. This programme will include the announcement of the winner of Lyric fm’s Choirs for Christmas competition along with Claudia’s personal selection of Christmas music.
5.00pm BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
On Sounds Sacred, Richard Yarr introduces a range of Christmas carols and sacred pieces chosen by listeners from near and far.
7.30pm BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
The Journey Of The Magi, as part of a special Classical Connections with John Toal. It tells the story of the Wise Men and their star-guided journey, based on a poem by W.R. Rodgers, with music by Paul Campbell, and narrated by Michelle Fairley and Stuart Graham.
9.00pm – Midnight RTÉ lyric fm. Vespertine with Ellen Cranitch.
Wistful, jolly, and exuberant, all at the same time on tonight’s programme, as we fill the Vespertine stocking with seasonal music from around the world. Heidi Skjerve makes tracks in the snow, Bob Dylan must be Santa, Anúna create sonic starlight, and George Shearing visits the famous Breton Carols. Not to mention Nigel Mooney’s 20th Century Christmas Blues, and Kate Bush making December magic again. Peace to all in this Christmas season.
Monday 23 December
10am – 1.00pm RTÉ lyric fm. Niall Carroll’s Classical Daytime.
Niall Carroll plays music from the heart of the classical repertoire with Sounds on Screen, a piece from either the big or the small screen at 11am, and at midday each day Five of a Kind. On today’s show, Niall chooses a piece by the Italian baroque era composer and violinist Arcangelo Corelli whose works, including his so-called Christmas Concerto, had an enormous influence over the development of European classical music.
Tuesday 24 December (Christmas Eve)
1.00pm – 4.00pm RTÉ lyric fm. The Full Score.
George Hamilton celebrates Christmas Eve with a concert from London’s Wigmore Hall, as The Sixteen perform an hour-long celebration of some of the finest Christmas music of the Renaissance along with some traditional carols from Ireland, England and the Basque country.
4.00pm – 5.15pm RTÉ Radio 1. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.
Dean William Morton leads the annual re-telling of the Christmas story through scriptural readings and Christmas music, performed by the Choir of St Patrick’s Cathedral, conducted by The Master of the Music, Stuart Masterson.
7.00pm – 8.00pm on RTÉ Lyric fm and 9.25pm – 10.25pm RTÉ ONE. Christmas in Kildare.
Spend Christmas Eve in the company of Marty Whelan and Celine Byrne, as they present RTÉ’s annual Christmas show, this year, in Saint Brigid’s Cathedral Kildare, marking the 1500th anniversary or Ireland’s female patron saint. This special seasonal programme features the RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Maloney, with musical guests including Bell X1’s Paul Noonan, Lisa Hannigan, Rhiannon Giddens, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha with Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Kingfishr, Dulciana, The Theodora Byrne Trio, performance poet Samuel Yakura and star soprano, Celine Byrne, herself.
8.00pm – 9.15pm RTÉ News Channel. Carols by Candlelight in Knock Basilica.
Knock’s wonderful Schola choir, directed by Úna Nolan, perform a broad selection of carols, along with the Basilica’s Youth Choir, with accompaniment by the Con Tempo string quartet.
9.00pm – 9.05pm RTE ONE. The Kilkenny Nativity.
Saint Luke’s account of the Christmas story told through the voices of the people of the city and county of Kilkenny. A follow-up to the much loved and multi award-winning Cork Nativity of 2020.
8.00pm – 9.00pm RTÉ Lyric fm. Oíche Chiúin, with Aedín Gormley.
Aedín brings you an hour-long special selection of her favourite mellow seasonal music. As we head towards the big day, she will be playing music from classic movies and reflective, joyful tunes to make spirits bright. We know that this can be a challenging time of year for all sorts of reasons, and so we offer this beautiful programme of music as a space for calm and reflection amid the flurry.
11.00pm – Midnight RTÉ ONE & RTÉ Radio 1. Midnight Mass.
Midnight Mass from Saint Mary’s church, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, celebrated by the Very Rev Thomas Thomas Dalzell PP, with liturgical music from Saint Mary’s Parish Choir, directed by Sarah Darlington, and the Children’s Family Mass Choir, conducted by Saoirse ní Chonachain-Bhriain. A Eurovision broadcast, shared with other broadcasters across Europe.
Wednesday 25 December (Christmas Day)
7.00am – 7.55am RTÉ ONE. Christmas in Kildare (rpt). See above for details.
8.00am – 9.00am RTÉ Radio 1. Our Divine Sparks at Christmas, with Dearbhail McDonald.
Hear the most enchanting story in the world, as children share the wonder of a baby born in extraordinary circumstances. Dearbhail McDonald and guests also take us back over 2000 years, to offer an insight into life at that time, the reality of the events surrounding the nativity, and the timeless allure of the Christmas story.
9.00am BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
An extended Morning Service for Christmas Day morning at 9am led by the Rev Dr David Bruce will feature the New Irish Youth Choir and music and reflections to celebrate Christmas. An edited version of the programme will also be broadcast at the usual time of 10am on Sunday 29 December.
10.00am BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
At 10am, Fr Brian D’Arcy will present a two-hour programme for Christmas Day with a mix of music, requests, thoughts and reflections.
10.00am – 11.00am RTÉ ONE & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. Mass for Christmas Day from the newly restored Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, with commentary and translation by Lydia O’Kane.
10.00am – 1.00pm RTÉ Lyric fm. Centuries of Christmas.
Vlad Smishkewych’s annual Christmas offering on RTÉ lyric fm with a millennium of music for this special festive day. He’ll explore the roots and branches of the heartwarming musical traditions around the Christmas-celebrating world, with a magnificent musical accompaniment to your Christmas celebrations. New releases of seasonal music interweave with beloved favourites in a glorious garland of melodies.
10.02am – 11.00am Raidio na Gaeltachta. Réalta Órga Ríogacha Smaointe, ceol agus iomainn Nollag leis an Athair Brian Ó Fearraigh. (Royal Golden Star. Thoughts, music and Christmas hymns with Father Brian Ó Fearraigh.)
11.00am – 11.45am RTÉ ONE & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. Service for Christmas Day.
The Reverend William Jeffrey leads Church of Ireland worship with a choir and parishioners from Lisbellaw, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.
11.00am – 11.45am Raidio na Gaeltachta. Aifreann na Nollag as Cill Éinde, sa Spidéal, Co na Gaillimhe. (Christmas Mass from Killiney, Spiddal, Co. Galway.)
11.45am – 12.10pm Urbi et Orbi. People Francis’ Christmas Message “To the City and the World” from Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, with commentary and translation by Lydia O’Kane.
12.10pm – 12.20pm RTÉ ONE and 13.05-13.15 on RTÉ Radio 1. Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin, and his Church of Ireland counterpart, Dr John McDowell, deliver a shared message of peace in celebration of the birth of Christ.
12.25pm – 12.30pm RTÉ ONE. The Kilkenny Nativity (repeat – see above).
13.00pm – 4.00pm RTÉ Lyric fm. The Full Score on Christmas Day.
George Hamilton introduces a concert with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Karen Ní Bhroin. Enjoy, too, orchestral delights by Corelli, Handel and John Taverner. The sensational soprano, Ailish Tynan, sings popular favourites by Finzi and Mozart alongside much loved Christmas Carols.
3.00pm BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
The Bandstand Christmas Special at 3pm on Christmas Day will also feature a mix of secular and traditional carols.
6.00pm – 7.00pm Raidio na Gaeltachta. An tEaspag Alan Mac Eochagáin.
Labhrann an tEaspag Alan Mac Eoghagáin le Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh faoina óige i gcontae Aontroma, an turas i dtreo na Sagartóireacht, tograí a raibh sé ina mbun mar Shagart Íosánach, agus a thréimhse mar Easpag ar Dheoise Rath Bhotha. (Bishop Alan Mac Eoghagáin speaks to Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh about his childhood in county Antrim, his journey towards priesthood, projects he led as a Jesuit Priest and his time as Bishop of the Diocese of Raphoe.)
6.00pm BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
Festive music will be the centrepiece of Classical Connections on Christmas Day at 6pm presented by John Toal which will feature classical renditions of Christmas carols alongside other joyful music.
7.00pm – 9.00pm RTÉ Lyric fm. Christmas around the world with Paul Herriott.
Paul brings us a playlist of Christmas music from around the world with seasonal live music recordings from Iceland, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Lithuania and Australia, courtesy of the European Broadcasting Union.
Thursday 26 December (Saint Stephen’s Day)
8.00am – 10.00am RTÉ Lyric fm. Centuries of Christmas, with Vlad Smishkewych: Travels and Traditions.
Vlad’s annual Christmas specials explore unique traditions on the day after Christmas – through music. From Saint Stephen’s Day wren-hunts and gift boxes, to carolling in the Americas, Spain, Eastern Europe and more, there so are many musical connections to explore. Who knows, you may even get to hear about some of Vlad’s favourite seasonal recipes.
1.00pm – 4.00pm RTÉ Lyric fm. The Full Score.
George Hamilton introduces the Christmas Concert from La Scala Orchestra and Chorus, with Daniel Harding conducting Kirill Gerstein, piano, for Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy; we’ll also hear Brahm’s Symphony No. 2.
Friday 27 December
8.00am – 10.00am RTÉ Lyric fm. Centuries of Christmas, with Vlad Smishkewych: Magnificent Magnificats,
Christmas Cantatas, and Awesome Oratorios. Vlad’s playlist this morning includes selections from Schutz’s, Johann Sebastian and CPE Bach’s Christmas oratorios, plus an assortment of motets and moments from cantatas and oratorios for Christmas. The glory of choral singing, instruments old, new and global, and the musical magic woven by composers throughout the centuries is sure to delight.
7.00pm – 10.00pm RTÉ Lyric fm. RTÉ Lyric Live with Paul Herriott.
From the jubilant opening chorus Jauchzet, frohlocket to the serene and tender arias, every note of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 celebrates the nativity story with reverence and exuberance. In this performance, the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Chorus present all six cantatas for an immersive and enriching audience experience full of joy and peace. Tonight’s broadcast was recorded in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on 13 December, 2024. The Irish Baroque Orchestra & Chorus are directed by Peter Whelan, with sopranos Rowan Pierce and Aisling Kenny, altos James Hall and Francesco Giusti, tenors Jonathan Hanley and Christopher Bowen and basses Frederick Long and William Gaunt.
Saturday 28 December
7.00am – 10.00am RTÉ lyric fm. Daybreak with Evonne Ferguson.
Join Evonne for a continuation of quality carols and a special festive Our Daily Bach. For the first Sunday after Christmas 1724, Bach composed the Cantata Das neugeborne Kindelein (The newborn infant child). Then, in his second year as ThomasKantor in Leipzig, Bach scored this work for four vocal soloists , a four-part choir, recorders, oboes, violins, viola and basso continuo with organ.
Sunday 29 December
9.00am BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
Sunday Sequence will reflect on the spirit and significance of Christmas in current times and hear what the main ethical challenges are likely to be for the new year of 2025.
10.45am BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
Thought for the Year will replace the usual Thought for the Week, with a compilation of some of the most memorable Thoughts from the series during 2024.
11.00am – 11.45am RTÉ ONE & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. Service celebrating the work of the Christian development charity, Tearfund Ireland.
11.00-11.45 Raidio na Gaeltachta. Aifreann an Domhnaigh ó Theach Pobail Mhuire, Doirí Beaga, Gaoth Dobhair. (Sunday Mass from Our Lady’s Community House, Derrybeg, Gweedore, Co. Donegal.)
5.00pm BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
On Sounds Sacred, Fr Eugene O’Hagan shares a varied selection of his own choices.
Saturday 4 January
7.00am – 10.00am RTÉ lyric fm. Daybreak with Evonne Ferguson.
Evonne Ferguson will be up with the early birds to ease you into the weekend with her selections of music from across the centuries plus news and weather. In the first Daybreak of 2025, Our Daily Bach features a joyous cantata for the New Year – Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (Sing a New Song to the Lord).
Sunday 5 January, 2025
11.00am – 11.45am RTÉ ONE & RTÉ Radio 1 Extra. The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Reverend Dr John Alderdice, leads the annual Methodist Covenant Service, committing followers to Christian life and works for the year ahead.
