Arena
Film, TV & Pop Culture
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.
Episodes
- Arena Encore - Úna Ní Dhonghaíle // Eric Whitacre // HamsandwicH
This Arena Encore episode highlights the best of Arena's week, featuring award-winning film editor Úna Ní Dhonghaíle, choral composer Eric Whitacre, and live music and conversation with HamsandwicH.
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena (Podcast) includes film reviews, a live music performance by HamsandwicH, and a discussion with BAFTA-winning film editor Úna Ní Dhonghaíle.
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of the Arena podcast covers "Trad - Festival of Voice - Elysium Nevada." It focuses on the segments described in the title and description.
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena includes a remembrance of Gary Lydon, a segment on ‘Canto’ at the National Symphony Orchestra, and discussions about Marilyn Monroe’s love of literature and Four Night Seas.
- Arena Encore - Fra Fee // Dan Donnelly's Arm // Toshín & Cáit Ní Ríain
This episode of Arena Encore includes actor Fra Fee discussing his new Netflix series, Unchosen. It also features a segment on boxer Dan Donnelly, and a collaboration between singers Cáit Ní Riain and Toshín.
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena (Podcast) features film reviews and discussion. Topics covered include a 40th-anniversary look at Top Gun.
- Sáile - Fashion in Film - CRTL: Essays on Video Games - Gordon Snell tribute
This episode of Arena includes discussions on Sáile, fashion in film, and CRTL: Essays on Video Games. It also features a tribute to Gordon Snell.
- In The Ring with Dan Donnelly - The Palm House - Excalibur at 45
Dan Donnelly is featured on the podcast Arena, discussing The Palm House and Excalibur at 45.
- The Unchosen with Fra Fee - Big Thief - The Spirits of Maritime Crossing
This Arena episode features Fra Fee, Big Thief, and The Spirits of Maritime Crossing.
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena (Podcast) provides reviews of both albums and TV shows. It offers insights into recent releases and broadcasts across these categories.
- Arena Encore - Venice Biennale // Filmmaker David Gleeson // Review: Lena Dunham's Famesick
This episode of Arena Encore covers the Venice Biennale with Alice Maher and Isobel Nolan. It also features filmmaker David Gleeson discussing his new feature, and Jenn Gannon reviewing Lena Dunham's memoir Famesick.
- Film Reviews - The Madonna of Asia - The Steps
This episode of Arena offers film reviews. The films discussed include "The Madonna of Asia" and "The Steps."
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena discusses the Irish participation in the Venice Biennale, the crime thriller series 'The Cage', and the poetry collection 'The Salt of Something New'.
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena (Podcast) features a discussion on 'The Dry' and its third season, a book review of '1996: My Backstage Pass To The Wildest Year Of Britain’s Wildest Decade...', and a theatre review of 'Do You Come From Gommorah?'.
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena Podcast reviews Famesick, explores Once Upon a Time in a Cinema, and commemorates Prince ten years after his passing.
- Arena Encore - Aoife Ní Bhríain & Cormac McCarthy // William Blake at the NGI // Remembering Moya Brennan
This Arena Encore episode features musicians Aoife Ní Bhríain and Cormac McCarthy. It also includes Jess Fahy discussing William Blake\'s art exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland and Cormac De Barra remembering Moya Brennan.
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena reviews films from the Limerick Catalyst Film Festival. It also includes a discussion on Doc on One Soundtracks.
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena features music from Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy. It also covers Colin Murphy's new play, "Miasma," and the new movie, "The Three Urns."
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena features a tribute to Moya Brennan, a celebration of the film All the President's Men at 50 years, and an exploration of James Joyce's political life.
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena covers the Warner/Paramount takeover, an exhibition of William Blake at the National Gallery Ireland, and the 40th anniversary of A Room with a View.
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena features a discussion on TV reviews and album reviews.
- Arena Encore - SexyTadhg performs in studio, Schiaparelli at the V&A and Rosaleen McDonagh on her debut novel
This episode includes a performance by SexyTadhg, a review of the Schiaparelli exhibition at the V&A, and an interview with Rosaleen McDonagh about her debut novel, "Contentious Spaces."
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of Arena features Rosaleen McDonagh. The episode also includes film reviews and a segment titled "Among Communists".
- Linear Flux - Delirium Archive - Ciseach
This episode of Arena is titled "Linear Flux - Delirium Archive - Ciseach." The episode explores the topic of "Linear Flux - Delirium Archive - Ciseach." It delves into the specific subject matter of the episode’s title.
- Remembering Gabriel Rosenstock - Schiaparelli at the V&A - Diatribe Stage at New Music Dublin - Stephen Sexton at the Granard Booktown Fest
This Arena episode features a remembrance of Gabriel Rosenstock. It also covers Schiaparelli at the V&A, the Diatribe Stage at New Music Dublin, and Stephen Sexton at the Granard Booktown Festival.
- Arena (Podcast)
This episode of the Arena podcast features actor James McAvoy. The discussion explores themes relating to the ancient world and contemporary imagination.
- TV reviews - Album reviews
This episode of Arena features reviews of various television programs and music albums.
- Arena Encore - Celebrating Mary Lavin, remembering John McGahern and Wexford Festival Opera
In this episode of Arena, Colm Tóibín discusses Mary Lavin’s legacy, while Sinéad Gleeson, Pat Collins, and Catriona Crowe remember John McGahern. The program also features an exploration of the art of Easter and a preview of the 75th Wexf…
- Film Reviews - Wexford Festival Opera - Communion
This episode of Arena features reviews of the Wexford Festival Opera production of Communion.
- Remembering Ronnie - Phoeno - Easter art
This episode of Arena features segments Remembering Ronnie, Phoeno, and Easter art.
- Jackie Nickerson on her new book and Exhibition 'Stateside'
Conceptual photographer Jackie Nickerson discusses her new exhibition and book, titled 'Stateside'.
- Doctor Millar on his new album 'I am Vermin'
Musician Doctor Millar discusses his new album, I am Vermin.
- Celebrating Mary Lavin
Colm Tóibín discusses the career of Mary Lavin to mark the launch of her short story collection, 'An Arrow In Flight'.
- Rita Perry's Kill Your Darlings - 20th anniversary of John McGahern's passing - The Lives of Others
Rita Perry discusses John McGahern and his work on 'Kill Your Darlings', marking the 20th anniversary of the author's passing. The episode features an exploration of 'The Lives of Others' in the context of McGahern's legacy.
- Film Reviews - Album Reviews
John Maguire and Sarina Bellissimo review the films No Ordinary Heist, George Orwell: 2+2=5, and Splitsville. Cian Sullivan and Louise Bruton discuss album releases by Robyn, Raye, and How I Became a Wave.
- Arena Encore - Sex and the City creator Michael Patrick, SNL UK and Orwell: 2+2=5
This episode of Arena features interviews with Sex and the City creator Michael Patrick King, a discussion with Jenn Gannon about Saturday Night Live coming to the UK, and an examination of the life and work of George Orwell.
- Arena (Podcast)
The Arena podcast features Michael Patrick King and Tom Dunne, along with a segment on book reviews.
- Saturday Night Live UK - Life Aid in the National Photographic Archive - Rembrandt's Promise
This episode of Arena features segments titled Saturday Night Live UK, Life Aid in the National Photographic Archive, and Rembrandt's Promise.
- George Orwell - The Good Luck Club - Patient: Soldier
This episode of the show Arena explores the subjects of George Orwell, The Good Luck Club, and Patient: Soldier.
- Arena Encore - A Woman of Substance Jessica Reynolds, Liza Minnelli's memoir and the death of Dolores Keane
This episode of Arena highlights Jessica Reynolds from A Woman of Substance, Lise Hand's review of Liza Minnelli's memoir, and a tribute to the life and career of singer Dolores Keane.
- Film reviews - Tuesdays With Morrie - Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!
This episode of Arena features a review of the film Tuesdays With Morrie. It is presented as part of a series for younger listeners.
- Jessica Reynolds - Of Mornington - Look What You Made Me Do
This episode of Arena features a discussion with Jessica Reynolds of Mornington regarding 'Look What You Made Me Do'.
- Arena's St Patrick's Day Arts Quiz
Louise Bruton, Eamon Sweeney, Eoin Glackin, John Meagher, Zara Hedderman, and Chris Wasser compete in an Irish culture quiz to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The episode features live music from uilleann piper Mark Redmond.
- Irish folk singer Dolores Keane dies aged 72 - The East Asia Film Festival Ireland 2026 - Krapp's Last Tape
This episode covers the passing of Irish folk singer Dolores Keane, the East Asia Film Festival Ireland 2026, and a discussion of Krapp's Last Tape.
- TV reviews - Album reviews
In this episode of Arena, the hosts discuss and review various television shows and music albums.
- Arena Encore - Element Pictures, Paul Muldoon, and the art of Casting!
This episode of Arena features Oscar-nominated producer Andrew Lowe of Element Pictures, poet and broadcaster Paul Muldoon discussing his lectures, and IFTA Award-winning casting director Amy Rowan.
- Film reviews - The Madison - Rusalka
This episode of Arena features film reviews for The Madison and Rusalka.
- Joe Stilgoe - Spring as inspiration - How to make a killing - Glasshouse perform Björk
This episode of Arena features Joe Stilgoe discussing spring as inspiration, a segment on how to make a killing, and a performance of Björk's music by Glasshouse.
- RTE Short Story Competition - Daughter Of A Drum - The Academy Award for Achievement in Casting
This episode of Arena features the RTE Short Story Competition entry 'Daughter Of A Drum' and discusses the Academy Award for Achievement in Casting.
- Element Pictures - Paul Muldoon - Ashes to Fashion
This episode of Arena features segments on Element Pictures, poet Paul Muldoon, and the topic of ashes to fashion.