Arena podcast artwork

PODCAST · arts

Arena

Irish podcast exploring what's happening in the world of arts, culture and entertainment. Listen live every weeknight on RTÉ Radio 1 from 7-8pm. Listen to individual clips at rte.ie/arena.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Jun 11, 2026 · Source feed

  1. 100

    Venice Film Festival 2026

    Tara Brady discusses this year’s red carpet moments and the most anticipated films from the 83rd Venice Film Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 99

    TV reviews

    Simon Maher and Jenn Gannon review Last Seen (Apple TV) and season 2 of The Paper (Sky).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. 98

    Film reviews

    Donald Clarke and Arlene Hunt review Pressure, Don't Look Back In Anger, Everybody Digs Bill Evans and Practical Magic 2.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. 97

    Wexford Festival Opera - Hannah O'Brien

    75th anniversary of Wexford Festival Opera - Soprano Hannah O'Brien performs live in studio and discusses Wexford Festival Opera’s production of Iris by Pietro Mascagni. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. 96

    Dublin Fringe Festival - Cyclone

    Owen Boss, Co-Director of ANU Productions and actor Sheik Bah discuss Cyclone, a new play about Billy ‘The Cyclone’ Warren. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. 95

    Kavanagh’s Beat Generation

    Adrian Dunbar and Nick Roth put Patrick Kavanagh in conversation with the Beat Generation through poetry, music and performance at this year’s Kavanagh Weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. 94

    Human or Animal?

    Blindboy’s surreal stories collide on stage in ANIMALS, a new production asking one big question: what really separates us from the animals? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. 93

    Conducting a New Chapter

    From Juilliard to the world’s biggest stages, Anna Handler is making a rapid rise through classical music. Now, as the Ulster Orchestra’s new Chief Conductor, she brings fresh energy and vision to its 60th anniversary year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  9. 92

    Writing Between the Notes: Mark O’Halloran on Bill Evans

    Mark O’Halloran has spent more than 20 years writing some of Ireland’s most memorable screen stories. Now, he’s turned his pen towards one of jazz’s most intriguing figures: Bill Evans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  10. 91

    Reading Between the Lines with Seamus Deane

    Filmmaker, editor and writer Maurice Fitzpatrick explores Seamus Deane’s ideas, influence and remarkable contribution to Irish cultural life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  11. 90

    From the Womb to the Trad Session: Jayne Pomplas’ Irish Music Journey

    By three, Jayne Pomplas was learning fiddle, since then, she’s played with some of Irish music’s greats, including The Chieftains, Frankie Gavin and Liam O’Maonlai. Now she’s back with a new album.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  12. 89

    Mark Kermode: From Movie Scores to Post-Punk

    He knows his films. He knows his music. And apparently, he knows his way around a guitar. Mark Kermode joins us to talk Surround Sound, cinema’s greatest scores, and bringing his post-punk band The Gang of Three to Ireland this week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  13. 88

    Grief, Grit & Line-Dancing

    Barry Fitzgerald’s Mourning is a Muscle brings movement, music, mourning and denim to the stage! He joins us to talk about his new dance-theatre work, coming to Project Arts Centre for Dublin Fringe Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  14. 87

    Kids, Parents & the Soundtrack to Your 40s

    For Driven Snow, life in your 40s is fair game: ageing parents, young kids, sleepless nights and memories you wouldn't trade. Kieran McGuinness and Emily Aylmer join us to talk about Mother of Christ - their intimate, Donegal-recorded second album.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  15. 86

    Album reviews

    Lilian Smith and Ashley Keating review new releases by Roe, Macdara Yeates and Paul Heaton.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  16. 85

    TV reviews

    Jenn Gannon and Chris Wasser review season 2 of The Gentlemen (Netflix), Fightland (Sky/Now) and season 2 of Chad Powers (Disney+) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  17. 84

    Film reviews

    John Maguire and Cara O’Doherty review Late Fame, The Death of Robin Hood, Celtic Utopia and The Incomer.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  18. 83

    Billy Ocean on his upcoming Irish tour

    Billy Ocean chats to Cristín Leach about his upcoming Irish tour.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  19. 82

    At the Villa Celeste - Elizabeth Wassell Montague

    Elizabeth Wassell Montague discusses her new novel, At the Villa Celeste.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  20. 81

    The Gentlemen - Season 2

    Ray Winstone, Giancarlo Esposito and Vinnie Jones chat to Cristín about the latest season of Netflix's The Gentlemen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  21. 80

    Ian Prowse performs live in studio

    Liverpool singer-songwriter Ian Prowse chats to Cristín and performs live in studio.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  22. 79

    Patrick Street Studios

    Studio director Clodagh Kenny and visual artists Brian Fay and Vanessa Daws discuss Patrick Street Studios, a brand new studio in Dun Laoghaire. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  23. 78

    A Sunday Afternoon, With Strings Attached

    What happens when family, old wounds and very different ideas about how to live collide? Director Annabella Comyn and actor Niall Buggy discuss Erica Murray’s new play, Meredith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  24. 77

    Finding Her Way Forward

    Derry singer-songwriter Roe returns with her second album, LOST DOG! - a deeply personal record shaped by grief, heartbreak and the quiet determination to keep moving forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  25. 76

    Seeing the World Through Berger’s Eyes

    Tom Overton’s new biography, John Berger: From Life, explores the man behind the ideas and a remarkable friendship that began with Berger’s archive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  26. 75

    Dancing for Cake

    What do you get when you mix traditional dancing, community spirit and a little something sweet? A Cake Dance! Edwina Guckian joins us to tell us more about this unique Drogheda event.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  27. 74

    The Keys to New Ross

    Two decades of world-class pianists, unforgettable performances and a love of music. Finghin Collins looks back at the New Ross Piano Festival’s remarkable journey and previews this year’s programme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  28. 73

    All Roads Lead to I, Claudius

    Murder, intrigue, betrayal and enough family drama to fill a box set. Fifty years after I, Claudius first aired, we look back at the BBC classic that made ancient Rome feel remarkably familiar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  29. 72

    TV reviews

    Chris Wasser and Jenn Gannon review The Terror - Devil in Silver (Sky), season three of Vigil (BBC) and season two of Adults (Disney).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  30. 71

    Album reviews

    Eoin Sweeney and Carol Moran review new releases from Mike D, Dinosaur Jr and Erykah Badu and The Alchemist.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  31. 70

    Film reviews

    Paul Whittington and Ruth Barton review One Night Only, The Dog Stars, Guggi and I Want Your Sex. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  32. 69

    Who to see at this year's Electric Picnic

    Louise Bruton on the must-see acts of this year's Electric Picnic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  33. 68

    Celebrating 60 years of Star Trek

    Dave Rudden and Rick celebrate 60 years of Star Trek.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  34. 67

    Andy Irvine

    Andy Irvine performs live in studio and chats to Sinead about reimagining the songs of Woody Guthrie in his new album, Rambling Round Your City. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  35. 66

    Temple Bar the Musical - Molly Mew

    Writer and director Molly Mew discusses Temple Bar the Musical, a new trad musical about modern Dublin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  36. 65

    Time Frames: A century of proscenium playwrights - Dominic Dromgoole

    Dominic Dromgoole discusses his new book about the history of theatre from 1865 to 1965, Time Frames.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  37. 64

    A Moon for the Misbegotten

    Eileen Walsh talks about her role in the new Druid production of Eugene O’Neill’s A Moon for the Misbegotten.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  38. 63

    Dolly Parton remembered

    Dolly Parton, music legend, dies aged 80. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  39. 62

    Forget Electric Picnic - Muldoon’s Picnic Is Bringing A New York Night of Music & Art

    Interview with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon alongside Barry Devlin of Horslips brings together an extraordinary lineup of musicians, writers and artists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  40. 61

    Follow the Hare: Into the Wild World of Hill of the Hares

    What happens when you follow the hare? Roscommon writer Maria Tivnan talks about Hill of the Hares, her new play from Fregoli Theatre Company where memory, longing and imagination collide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  41. 60

    Macdara Yeates: Digging Deep into Dublin’s Folk Soul

    Live music and an interview with Macdara Yeates, breathing new life into Dublin’s forgotten songs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  42. 59

    TV reviews

    Chris Wasser and Jenn Gannon review Little Bird (Sky Atlantic and NOW ), Lanterns (HBO) and Ludwig (BBC). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  43. 58

    Super Furry Animals - Gruff Rhys

    Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys discusses their upcoming gig at Collins Barracks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  44. 57

    Masters of Tradition - Méav Ní Mhaolchatha

    Ahead of her performance at this year’s Masters of Tradition singer Méav Ní Mhaolchatha chats to Rick. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  45. 56

    Film reviews

    John Maguire and Arlene Hunt review Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, & Sons and Coyote vs. Acme.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  46. 55

    Niamh Bury

    Niamh Bury chats to Rick and performs live in studio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  47. 54

    Jim Lockhart on The Shield of Achilles

    Jim Lockhart on why Auden’s The Shield of Achilles is still relevant in 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  48. 53

    IMMA

    Rick chats with IMMA director Annie Fletcher about her three favourite pieces in the permanent collection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  49. 52

    Annie Atkins

    Author and designer Annie Atkins on her work with Wes Anderson and The BIG Type Festival, a three-day celebration of print at The National Print Museum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  50. 51

    The Jackson Harp

    Dr Clare McCague discusses The Jackson Harp: Craft, Commerce and Conflict in Nineteenth-Century Dublin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Irish podcast exploring what's happening in the world of arts, culture and entertainment. Listen live every weeknight on RTÉ Radio 1 from 7-8pm. Listen to individual clips at rte.ie/arena.

HOSTED BY

RTÉ Radio 1

Produced by RTÉ

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Arena have?

Arena currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Arena about?

Irish podcast exploring what's happening in the world of arts, culture and entertainment. Listen live every weeknight on RTÉ Radio 1 from 7-8pm. Listen to individual clips at rte.ie/arena.

How often does Arena release new episodes?

Arena has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Arena?

You can listen to Arena on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Arena?

Arena is created and hosted by RTÉ Radio 1.
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