Arena
781 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsIrish 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. Presented by Sean Rocks.
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Episodes
TV Drama
December 18, 2019 12:00 - 16 minutesPatrick Freyne and Eithne Shotall dropped by for a chat. The duo review upcoming BBC TV dramas, Dracula and The Trial of Christine Keeler.
Tribute - Arty McGlynn
December 18, 2019 12:00 - 12 minutesWith the very sad news of Arty McGlynn's passing Donal Lunny pays tribute and shares memories of the legendary musician.
Comedian - Paul Merton
December 18, 2019 12:00 - 19 minutesComedian Paul Merton chats to Seán about "Funny Ha, Ha" a new anthology of stories.
Star Wars revisited
December 17, 2019 12:00 - 32 minutesCara O'Doherty, Michael Pope and Chris Wasser are chatting all about Star Wars. In anticipation of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, they take a nostalgic trip revisiting some of the best bits of the film franchise.
Christmas Music
December 17, 2019 12:00 - 21 minutesKate Brennan Harding and Ian McGlynn are taking a musical festive journey to lesser known hidden gems and classical Christmas tunes.
"The Inquisitive Hare" - Donnacha Cahill
December 16, 2019 12:00 - 9 minutesDonnacha Cahill joins Seán to discuss his latest exhibition at the Kildare Gallery. The Galway artist chats about his sculptures and "The Inquisitive Hare".
UNESCO - Harp Ireland
December 16, 2019 12:00 - 9 minutesIrish harping is the latest addition to UNESCO's "Intangible Cultural Heritage" list. Aibhlin McCrann, Chair of Harp Ireland joins Seán to discuss. Harper Luke Webb plays "Natures Chorus".
The influence of Christmas literature
December 16, 2019 12:00 - 19 minutesSo much of literature infleunces our perception of Christmas traditions. Jarlath Killeen fromTrinity College Dublin's School of English joins Seán discussing key literature from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens to Patrick Kavanagh and "A Christmas Childhood".
The Topeka School - Book review
December 16, 2019 12:00 - 10 minutes"The Topeka School" is the third novel from Ben Lerner. Peter Murphy reviews the prequel to the US authors "Leaving the Atocha Station" and "10:04". His latest fictional work is set in the 90s in his hometown of Topeka, Kansas.
Yvonne Nolan review "Sudden Traveler"
December 12, 2019 12:00 - 11 minutesYvonne Nolan reviews Sarah Halls new book which features her signature themes of identity, eroticism, and existential quest
Guggi "Broken" art exhibition
December 12, 2019 12:00 - 11 minutesGuggi, a founding member of the Virgin Prunes and friend and muse to U2 has been a practicing artist since those early days of Punk Rock in Dublin in the 1980s. He spoke to Kay about his latest exhibition Broken has opend in the Kerlin Gallery in Dublin.
'Architecture of Sound' - DJ Eddie
December 11, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutes'Architecture of Sound' takes place at the Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny from December 13th-14th. DJ Eddie Galavan chats to Seán about the immersive audio-visual experience which is set against a historical backdrop.
'The Second Sleep' - Robert Harris
December 11, 2019 12:00 - 2 minutesRobert Harris recently visited Dublin and read an excerpt from his latest novel 'The Second Sleep'.
'I Am The Border So I Am'
December 11, 2019 12:00 - 17 minutesThe Irish border twitter account has amassed over 100,000 followers. Its latest offering is a book, 'I Am The Border So I Am'. Paula Shields discusses the tongue-in-cheek publication with Seán. While revisiting a 2018 column by the 'Irish Border' first broadcast on 'The Business', RTÉ Radio 1.
'A Compound of Words' - Fiona Bolger
December 11, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutesPoet Fiona Bolger chats to Seán and reads poetry from her first collection 'A Compound of Words'. Fiona will host a reading of her collection at the Dublin Writers Museum on December 15.
Tribute to Roxette - Marie Fredrikkson
December 10, 2019 12:00 - 9 minutesWith the sad news today that Roxette front woman Marie Fredrikkson has died. Jennifer Gannon joins Seán charting the Swedish duos rise to fame while revisiting their notable hits.
Tidelands
December 10, 2019 12:00 - 10 minutesPhillipa Gregory's latest novel 'Tidelands' is set during the English Civil War. Edel Coffey reviews the authors latest offering.
'A Book of Christmas Short Stories' by Penguin
December 10, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutesPenguins latest Christmas book offering is 'A Book of Christmas Short Stories'. Mary McGill explores the diverse collection from the classics of Truman Capote to the the macabre with Angela Carter. Irish writers, Elizabeth Bowen and Frank O’Connor feature also writer and social activist, James Mercer Langston Hughes.
David Keenan - Singer-songwriter
December 10, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutesDundalk singer-songwriter David Keenan performs live. The rising Irish star sings two songs ahead of the release of his debut album, 'A Beginners Guide to Bravery'.
Writer and Playwright Jimmy Murphy
December 10, 2019 12:00 - 5 minutesToday Irish theatre professionals and stage writers have expressed discontent with the 2020 Abbey Theatre programme. Irish writer and playwright Jimmy Murphy discusses with Seán.
Dead film stars returning to the silver screen
December 09, 2019 12:00 - 20 minutesWith James Dean set to return to the silver screen next year. Ruth Barton of Trinity College and entertainment lawyer Bill Grantham chat to Seán on the topical matter exploring the legal and ethical questions it raises.
The Rise of Irish K-Pop
December 09, 2019 12:00 - 8 minutesKorean Pop better known as K-Pop attracts a huge following. BTS and Blackpink are some of the genre's most recognisable names. 2019 Kpop World Festival Grand Prize Winner, Sodem Solana and Dr Rebecca Chiyoko King O’Riain chat to Seán about the growing interest in Irish K-Pop.
Top Music Biographies of 2019
December 09, 2019 12:00 - 22 minutesTony Clayton Lea reviews the best music biographies of the year in time for Christmas.
Hughie O'Donoghue - latest exhibition
December 06, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutesArtist Hughie O'Donoghue discusses his latest work. Time, Tide and the Memory of the House is on at The Hunt Museum until January 26.
Violinist Cora Venus Lunny and pianist Izumi Kimura
December 06, 2019 12:00 - 11 minutesViolinist Cora Venus Lunny and pianist Izumi Kimura join Seán for a chat and performance. The talented duo perform together at Jazz Connective in the Project Arts Centre, Dublin on December 11.
Violinist Ellinor D'Melon and Jamie Martín
December 05, 2019 12:00 - 17 minutesRising young violin talent, Ellinor D'Melon performs in studio. Ellinor performs at the National Concert Hall on Friday alongside Jamie Martín, Chief Conductor of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. Both join Seán for a chat ahead of the concert.
Anne Enright - inaugural laureate for Irish Fiction
December 05, 2019 12:00 - 15 minutesAnne Enright, the inaugural laureate for Irish Fiction joins us. The acclaimed writer discusses her latest publication, No Authority, Writings from the Laureateship.
Film Reviews
December 05, 2019 12:00 - 19 minutesThe latest film releases, Ordinary Love, Motherless Brooklyn and The Last Rite. Stephen Boyd and Gemma Creagh review.
Dark Beauty: Hidden Detail in Harry Clarke’s Stained Glass
December 04, 2019 12:00 - 12 minutesAuthor Lucy Costigan and photographer, Michael Cullen join Seán. Dark Beauty, Hidden Detail in Harry Clarke's Stained Glass, the follow up to their acclaimed 2010 book which amassed over 60,000 images. The duo discuss the inspiration behind their latest publication.
Owen Dwyer - Number Games
December 04, 2019 12:00 - 10 minutesNumber Games is the Irish author's Owen Dwyer third novel. The acclaimed short-story writer discusses his latest work. An imagined dystopian world.
Correspondences Anthology
December 04, 2019 12:00 - 24 minutesCorrespondences is an anthology of writings with the purpose of calling for an end to direct provision. Contributors, Rehan Ali and Marwa Zamir who have or are currently living in Direct Provision in Ireland share their powerful writing with Seán. Jessica Traynor and Claire Hennesey are in studio.
Bjork Special
November 26, 2019 12:00 - 51 minutesBjo¨rk’s Cornucopia tour visits the 3Arena on Thursday. The Icelandic singer claims this as her “most elaborate staged concert to date”. Joining Séan is music critic, John Meagher amongst others. As Arena revisits key moments in her career.
Latest book
November 22, 2019 12:00 - 11 minutesEdel Coffey reviews the "The Man in the Red Coat". The latest novel from the Man Booker Prize-winning author, Julian Barnes. Readers are taken on a humorous tour of Belle Epoque Paris with the pioneering surgeon Samuel Pozzi.
Dark Enchantment
November 22, 2019 12:00 - 12 minutesThe republication of "Dark Enchantment" by author Dorothy Macardle. Lisa Coen, of Tramp Press and Caroline Heafey discuss the importance of the "Recovered Voices" series putting a spotlight on previously forgotten works that remain relevant today.
Friday night album reviews
November 22, 2019 12:00 - 26 minutesCatch up with the latest music - Friday night album reviews with Jackie Fox and Simon Maher. Christy Moore's "Magic Nights", Coldplay's "Everyday Life" and Beck's "Hyperspace".
Film Reviews
November 21, 2019 12:00 - 22 minutesFilms reviews from Diane Negra and Michael Pope. "A Dog Called Money" a documentary on the elusive singer PJ Harvey, "Frozen 2" the sequel and " La Belle Époque".
Ian Gibson - Irish biographer of Lorca
November 21, 2019 12:00 - 14 minutesOur very own Paula Shields is chatting to Irish author and biographer , Ian Gibson about the famed Spanish poet and playwright, Lorca.
Music with A.Smyth
November 21, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutesDubliner A. Smyth performs songs from his upcoming debut album. He will also perform at "Other Voices" music festival in Dingle.
Rosaleen Linehan does Beckett in "Endgame"
November 20, 2019 12:00 - 14 minutesDirector, Gavin Quinn and Rosaleen Linehan join Seán for a chat. Pan Pan present Samuel Beckett's "Endgame" at Project Art's Centre in Dublin from this Saturday.
Live Music - tenor Ben Johnson and classical guitarist Sean Shibe
November 20, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutesAhead of their nationwide Music Network Tour, tenor Ben Johnson and classical guitarist Sean Shibe are performing live and chatting to Seán.
Bank of America Photography Exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland
November 20, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutesThe National Gallery of Ireland "Bank of America Collection" photography exhibition opens on Friday. Curator, Sarah McAuliffe explains what to expect including iconic photographs displayed for the first time in Europe.
Wallis Bird Singing Live
November 19, 2019 12:00 - 20 minutesIrish singer Wallis Bird joins Seán live in studio for a chat and performs two songs from her latest album.
Seamus Murphy's "A Dog Called Money"
November 19, 2019 12:00 - 21 minutesIrish photojournalist, Seamus Murphy discusses his feature film with singer PJ Harvey. "A Dog Called Money" is released in Ireland this week.
'Olive Kitteridge' Elizabeth Strout
November 18, 2019 12:00 - 15 minutesThe Pulitzer Prize winning author, is chatting to Séan about her latest novel. Olive, Again which is the long awaited follow-up to the much acclaimed, Olive Kitteridge.
'Airneán Árann'
November 18, 2019 12:00 - 10 minutesAodh Ó Coileáin agus Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola on the event to be held in An Taidhbhearc.
Crossing Borders - Eamon Carr
November 18, 2019 12:00 - 14 minutesEamon Carr travelled to Kosovo 20 years ago on an assignment for the Herald newspaper. As part of Festival Of Politics, these black and white photographs will be displayed on Thursday November 21st in Tailor's Hall, Dublin.
"RHA X" an immersive installation
November 14, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutes"RHA X" Fashion designer Roland Mouret and Irish-based visual artist Dragana Jurišic, an immersive installation takes place this weekend at the RHA.