John Byrne
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The RTE 'Entertainment dosser' tweeting in a personal capacity. Partial to telly, movies, football club part ownership and a decent tune or racket.
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Articles by John Byrne
Paul Howard: 'I've always loved The Young Offenders'
Best known for his obnoxious and entitled Ross O’Carroll-Kelly creation, author and comedy writer Paul Howard joined the writing team of The Young Offenders for the show’s long-awaited new season and describes it as "a dream job". "I’ve loved this show from the start." If Paul Howard is trying to ingratiate himself with fans of The Young Offenders, he is doing it from the off. No messing. Straight in there.
Melissa Hamilton brings Ballet Stars Gala to Dublin
Melissa Hamilton is Ireland's most illustrious ballerina, and she’s bringing her brand-new show to Dublin. RTÉ Entertainment’s John Byrne catches up with her as the final touches are being applied. There are two activities that require insane levels of commitment from a very young age in order to be successful: playing tennis and being a ballet dancer. There are also two disciplines that haven’t featured many Irish people at the top tier.
'We had to cover up the statue of Rory Gallagher'
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'Friends? I know the show like the back of my hand'
Broadway hit Friends the Musical Parody is on its way to Dublin. John Byrne talks to one of the stars of the show, Enzo Benvenuti, who plays Ross Geller. Saying that Friends is a popular TV show is like saying The Beatles were a decent band. It was massive then, it’s massive now, and there’s no doubt it will still be massive in a hundred years’ time. It’s just a people magnet. The recent death of Matthew Perry, who played the sarcy Chandler Bing, shocked millions of the show’s fans.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Wednesday
Build Your Own Home returns, as does Kevin McCloud's Grand Designs, Panorama blows the lid on dodgy London cops, Mark Wahlberg stars in heist drama Play Dirty, and there’s Champions League action aplenty . . . Pick of the Day Build Your Own Home, 9.35pm, RTÉ One Streaming on RTÉ Player Season two opens with master builder Harrison Gardner (below) helps newly married couple Aoife NicChraith and Louis Brennan.
The Walsh Sisters: 'It's special to be a part of this'
The TV adaptation of Marian Keyes’ Walsh Sisters books begins tonight on RTÉ One. John Byrne meets Louisa Harland and Caroline Menton, who play sisters Anna and Rachel. When The Traitors Ireland ended last week, a lot of people were wondering how RTÉ could possibly follow that. Maybe even 'if'. Well folks, here we are. If you thought the shenanigans at Slane Castle was great craic – and it was – wait till you get a load of The Walsh Sisters. It’s terrific.
The Walsh Sisters: 'Rachel and Anna are really up full'
Based on the bestselling novels by Marian Keyes, new drama The Walsh Sisters lands on RTÉ One on Sunday. John Byrne talks to the show's chief writer and cast member, Stefanie Preissner. Marian Keyes is an expert on such matters. When she says, "Stefanie Preissner is amazing!" I take her comment at face value. I'm at a screening at the IFI in Dublin, where the first episode of The Walsh Sisters is getting an airing ahead of its launch on RTÉ One.
One Battle After Another is terrific fun
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The Traitors Ireland: A Final night of twists and turns
John Byrne recaps Tuesday's final episode of The Traitors Ireland, where the five remaining players battle it out on a long day when nerves are shred and mind games are played out. *Spoilers galore* And so, it comes to this. Ben, Kelley, Nick, Oyin and Vanessa. The Fateful Five. But only three of them are Faithful. Will the three remaining girls cop on that the boys aren't what they appear to be?
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Tuesday
There's the final of The Traitors Ireland, Waterloo Road returns for a new run, there’s a new crime-solving reality show called Crime Scene Zero, and Liz Hurley’s The Inheritance comes to a conclusion . . . Pick of the Day The Traitors Ireland, 9.30pm, RTÉ One Streaming on RTÉ Player Here it is – the day we’ve all been dreading. The last episode of The Traitors Ireland. A future Reeling in the Years will bring back memories of Paudie Fever and 'I’m no effin’ hugger’ t-shirts.
The Traitors Ireland: It's just another Manic Monday
John Byrne recaps Monday's penultimate episode of The Traitors Ireland, where time runs out in more ways than one as the battle for the final takes a tearful turn. *Spoilers galore* After last night's incendiary episode, when Joanna got slaughtered at the Round Table and another – as yet unknown - faithful got murdered, the traitors are having a laugh. All Nick and Ben have had to do is sit back and watch the faithful tear each other apart.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Monday
There's the penultimate episode of The Traitors Ireland, the rather scary Disease X: Hunting the Next Pandemic, Panorama looks at the appalling situation in Gaza, while dramas The Guest and I Fought the Law both conclude . . . Pick of the Day The Traitors Ireland, 9.30pm, RTÉ One Streaming on RTÉ Player We’re almost there! Ther’s sure to be murder at Slane Castle with everyone so close to the big prize. Host Siobhán McSweeney will have her hands full at this stage.
The Traitors Ireland: Flames, feuds and a day of infamy
John Byrne recaps Sunday's tenth episode of The Traitors Ireland, where tensions run incredibly high, leading to a jaw-dropping Round Table banishment. *Spoilers galore* Right! How're you doing? Don’t know about you, but I needed a Traitors Ireland chill zone for a few days after the fun and games last week. The coffin business with Christine and co was something else. And it’s just not going to be the same without Paudie. But now it’s time for Nick to be the most treacherous traitor of them all.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Sunday
The Traitors Ireland is back as the contest heads into the final straight, David Attenborough narrates Deep Ocean: Kingdom of the Coelacanth, while Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh is the focus of Keys to My Life . . . Pick of the Day The Traitors Ireland, 9.30pm, RTÉ One Streaming on RTÉ Player We're in the post-Paudie phase of this hugely entertaining show. Who are we all going to root for now? One thing’s for sure: Nick and Ben are sure to play a pivotal role in the game going forward.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Saturday
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What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Friday
Paudie and son Andrew are among the Traitors Ireland folk on The Late Late, there's Culture Night Live, a Jimi Hendrix documentary, Fawlty Towers: The Play and New Zealand v Canada in the Women's Rugby World Cup . . . Pick of the Day The Late Late Show, 9.35pm, RTÉ One Streaming on RTÉ Player Another cracking line up – this Late Late Show looks unmissable.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Thursday
Long Lost Family returns with more heart-tugging tales, Mawaan Rizwan's comedy Juice is back for a second run, Jude Law and Jason Bateman star in Black Rabbit, and it’s a busy day at The Dog House . . . Pick of the Day Black Rabbit, Netflix Set against the backdrop of New York City's high-pressure nightlife scene, this new drama series centres on two brothers who are pushed to the brink by their duty to family and their pursuit of success.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Wednesday
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The Traitors Ireland: coffins, chaos, and calamity
John Byrne recaps Tuesday's ninth episode of The Traitors Ireland, where the hug of death brings a flood of faithful tears and some furious finger-pointing. *Spoilers galore* There was a lot to reflect on after Monday night's Traitors Ireland. But the substantive issue was that, after eliminating three traitors over the previous three nights, the faithful unraveled as four of their own were lost in a single episode. First, Nick switched sides after Paudie invited him to become a traitor.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Tuesday
There's more murder and mayhem on The Traitors Ireland, Futurama returns for a 13th season, there’s Michael Portillo’s 200 Years of the Railways, and the final of The Great British Sewing Bee . . . Pick of the Day The Traitors Ireland, RTÉ One Streaming on RTÉ Player The breakfast table’s an increasingly faithful-free zone as The Traitors Ireland heads for the home straight. Yes, folks. We’ve just four episodes left and it’ll all be done and dusted this time next week.
The Traitors Ireland: Meath is murder at 'Slain' Castle
John Byrne recaps Monday's eighth episode of The Traitors Ireland, with the Death Row decider, some scary dolls - and a murder like we've never seen before. *Spoilers galore* Don’t know about you, but this show has pretty much taken over my life. The gas thing is that everyone I meet or talk to is hooked. Everyone. "I don’t watch reality shows but..." is a common response. The Traitors Ireland has really hit a nerve.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Monday
We're back in Slane Castle for more murder and mayhem in The Traitors Ireland, there's a documentary about 60s' icon Twiggy, Molly Parker stars in medical drama Doc, while Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh meets President Higgins . . . Pick of the Day The Traitors Ireland, 9.35pm, RTÉ One Streaming on RTÉ Player I remember going to Slane for the then hush-hush press day for The Traitors Ireland back in March and saying that the Irish version of the show would be brilliant.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Sunday
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The Traitors Ireland: more tension, tears and tantrums
John Byrne recaps Sunday's seventh episode of The Traitors Ireland, with accusations flying in all directions as the day takes a few dramatic twists before culminating in a tense Round Table vote. ***Spoilers galore*** My head is still spinning after last Tuesday's episode. Katelyn’s gone, Paudie’s on his own in traitor land – and then he invites his (secret) son Andrew to join him. Yeah! The Andrew who was nearly banished at the last Round Table! What is Paudie thinking? Is he thinking at all?
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Saturday
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski star in A Quiet Place, Grace for the World, is a live music event at the Vatican, Stephen Mulhern returns returns with You Bet! on Tour, and there are two Rugby World Cup quarter-finals . . . Pick of the Day A Quiet Place, 9.00pm, RTÉ2 On an relatively quiet night on the box (bar that big gig on Disney+), this is the standout – an old school horror movie that's low on gore and high on tension.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Friday
The Late Late Show returns for a new run, Call My Agent Berlin begins, Nosferatu lands on Sky Cinema, there's rom-com The Wrong Paris, while holders Drogheda United host Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup . . . Pick of the Day The Late Late Show, 9.35pm, RTÉ One Streaming on RTÉ Player It's a sure sign that the nights are drawing in when The Late Late Show returns.
Sumptuous send-off for much loved Downton Abbey
Director Simon Curtis Starring Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Paul Giamatti After 15 years on the small and big screen, Julian Fellowes' hugely successful period drama sees Downton Abbey close its doors for the last time - and it's a fitting, hugely entertaining finale. The opening shot sets things up nicely.
Michelle Dockery on Lady Mary: 'I love playing her'
As Downton Abbey: The Grand Final comes to Irish screens, Michelle Dockery has been telling RTÉ Entertainment about her role as Lady Mary, who faces scandal and being shunned by society in the period drama's celluloid swansong. Interviewed alongside co-stars Laura Carmichael (who plays Lady Edith Hexham ) and Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates), Dockery admitted that it was quite a whirlwind experience for the incoming Lady Grantham. She's coming to London amid rumours of her divorce.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Wednesday
There's The Donald Trump Show, One Valentine's Day In Edinburgh, Charlie Sheen confesses his sins, Kirstie and Phil are back, Gogglebox Ireland returns with a celeb special - and Robin Wright stars in The Girlfriend . . . Pick of the Day The Donald Trump Show, 9.00pm, Channel 4 This new show promises a novel take on the US president's second term in office, recutting archive news clips as drama to retell Trump's story as the country slides further into chaos and authoritarianism.
The Traitors Ireland: Nick knocks, rocks and shocks
John Byrne recaps Tuesday's sixth episode of The Traitors Ireland, with Nick taking centre stage on a day of bling, blame and a nailbiting banishment. ***Spoilers galore*** With traitor Eamon banished last night, Katelyn and Paudie decided to offer Nick the opportunity – if you could call it that – of joining them in the conclave. Would he accept the recruitment offer? After all, Nick has been one of the more vocal of the faithful, ever willing to point out the suspected traitors in the group.
Allen Leech recalls 'bizarre' Downton Abbey moment
Allen Leech has recalled a "bizarre" experience he had in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta when he was recognised as a Downton Abbey star. The Dubliner, who plays Tom Branson in the hugely popular period drama, was speaking to RTÉ Entertainment at the launch of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale at Claridge's Hotel in London. When the subject of Downton memories came up in conversation, Leech admitted: "It's very hard, over 15 years, to pick one moment.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Tuesday
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What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Monday
Mark Ruffalo heads the cast of crime drama Task, Zara McDermott explores Thailand: The Dark Side of Paradise, Jamie Oliver serves up seared tuna, and The Traitors Ireland continues . . . Pick of the Day Task, 9.00pm, Sky Atlantic Streaming on NOW This crime drama miniseries comes from HBO – which is usually a sign of quality content.
The Traitors Ireland: Paudie, subplots and prayers
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What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Sunday
The Traitors Ireland is back, Death of a Showjumper explores the tragic tale of Katie Simpson, Gloria Hunniford is the focus of Keys to My Life, while Ireland face New Zealand in the Women's Rugby World Cup . . . Pick of the Day The Traitors Ireland, 9.30pm, RTÉ One Streaming on RTÉ Player The opening episodes of this Irish version of the international hit have been great craic. Last Tuesday's episode – where we left off – was just sensational.
What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Saturday
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What's on? Top 10 TV and streaming tips for Friday
Domhnall Gleeson stars in mockumentary The Paper, David Mitchell and Robert Webb reunite in Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping, Gogglebox is back again, and The Brutalist lands on Sky . . . Pick of the Day The Paper, 9.00pm, Sky Max Extremely promising spin-off from the US version of The Office, starring our own Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore, the Italian actress from The White Lotus.
a corpse, a comeback and a conundrum
John Byrne recaps the latest twist-tastic episode of The Traitors Ireland that saw a sad farewell, a major surprise and conflict amongst the traitors. ***Spoilers aplenty*** As day three on The Traitors Ireland dawned, there was going to be one less player for breakfast. Had the faithful learned anything from the loss of David and Diane? They had another chance to oust a traitor at the Round Table. But there was quite a long and very eventful day to get through first.
The Traitors Ireland: breakfast, banishment and bedlam
John Byrne recaps the twisty second episode of Traitors Ireland that was filled with accusations, cock-ups and more corpses. ***Spoilers aplenty*** And then there were 21. The second episode of The Traitors Ireland had the first faithful departed, the second mission, and a hell of a lot of accusation and speculation - and a potentially colossal cock-up or two. First up, corn flakes and a kind-of corpse. ***Spoilers ahead!**** Dead and Breakfast Andrew and Diane were first to arrive for breakfast.
Drama, twists and the first murder
John Byrne recaps the explosive opening episode filled with twists, betrayals and a dramatic first murder. ***Spoilers aplenty*** I have to admit that I watched the opening episode of The Traitors Ireland with just my right eye open. I don't trust the left one. That's the effect watching a show like this can have. I can only imagine the levels of paranoia I'd experience if I was an actual contestant. Spoilers for episode one to follow...
Fiddler on the Roof: 'It's a masterpiece!'
The latest production of classic musical Fiddler on the Roof is heading to Dublin. John Byrne meets Matthew Woodyatt, who plays the iconic lead role of Tevye. Spectacular is a word that’s often overused. Especially in the hyperbolic world of entertainment. But when it comes to the current revival of Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joseph Stein’s Fiddler on the Roof - a musical about a milkman in a fictional town in early 20th Century Imperial Russia - 'spectacular' is just a statement of fact.
McSweeney's 'biggest challenge' on Traitors Ireland
Siobhán McSweeney hosts The Traitors Ireland - but would she rather be a traitor or a faithful? She tells John Byrne about that as well as her approach to her latest television role. "I had an answer before I started filming, and the answer has changed." Siobhán McSweeney’s been asked what’s probably the ultimate Traitors Ireland question: would you rather be a faithful or a traitor?
Siobhán aims to dress to impress on Traitors Ireland
We all know that the contestants will provide the main talking points on The Traitors Ireland - but host Siobhán McSweeney also aims to put Irish couture on show during the 12-episode run of the global smash. "I think we all know what the Traitors is really about," says Siobhán McSweeney, with a mischievous look in her eyes. "It's about the clothes." We’re in a hotel in Slane, just up - or is it down?
Siobhán McSweeney: Traitors Ireland is 'nerve-racking'
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Seven reasons why Traitors Ireland will be terrific TV
The Traitors Ireland is coming! John Byrne looks at the prospects for an entertainingly Irish version of the reality show that's become a worldwide TV phenomenon. This is going to be so much fun. The best craic. I mean, just look at the Wikipedia description of The Traitors as a show 'where contestants navigate challenges testing loyalty and deception in a thrilling competition’. This thing’s got to be the most Irish TV show ever. We can do loyalty and deception in a single sentence. A nod and a wink.
Rose of Tralee: The best moments from night one
So many Roses, so much magic on show. The opening night of this year's Rose of Tralee was another cracking mix of colour, craic, ceoil and spectacle. Here are some of the opening night's highlights. We all know that you can't beat a good start - and that goes for TV shows, especially a live spectacular such as The Rose of Tralee. The 2025 edition of this much-loved, inter-continental collection of cailíní certainly had an opening to remember.
Melissa Hamilton: 'It's a really special moment'
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Laura Whitmore: 'Life happens very quickly'
Laura Whitmore stars in the latest stage adaptation of The Girl on the Train, which is based on the hugely successful thriller by Paula Hawkins. John Byrne catches up with her ahead of the Irish leg of the show's tour Who is Laura Whitmore? Or - more to the point - what is Laura Whitmore? As well as doing stuff mere mortals also do - like falling in love and having children - she’s also something of a one-person entertainment industry.
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