Shows / Arena
Arena
A look at what's happening in the world of arts, culture and entertainment presented by Rick O'Shea.
Episodes
ArenaAlbum reviews feat Johnn Marr
Louise Bruton and Cian Sullivan review new releases from The Whileaways, Johnny Marr and Blossoms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaDirector Tom Creed on his new production of 4.48 Psychosis
Director Tom Creed discusses his new production of Sarah Kane’s 4.48 Psychosis starring Marty Rea. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaFilm reviews
Paul Whittington and Ruth Barton review Digger, Verity, The Weight and Knife, a new documentary about Salman Rushdie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
ArenaDiveboy perform live in studio
Cork band Diveboy chat to Rick and play live in studio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaEdged in Blue: A Rock 'n' Roll Odyssey with Rory Gallagher - Dónal Gallagher
Dónal Gallagher, brother of the late Rory, discusses his memoir, Edged in Blue: A Rock 'n' Roll Odyssey with Rory Gallagher. See omnystudio.com/listener for…
ArenaBallybeg Goes Global — A Celebration of Brian Friel's International Legacy
Dr. Sinéad McCoole, Head of Exhibitions, Learning and Programming at the National Library, discusses Ballybeg Goes Global, a celebration of Brian Friel's…
ArenaWho is Lawrence?
Zara Hedderman on Lawrence, the iconoclastic frontman of the English indie pop band Felt. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaThe O’Connell Women at Derrynane
Jess Fahy discusses the portraits of the O’Connell women that hang on the walls of Derrynane House. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaCanadian pianist Carter Johnson performs live in studio
Canadian pianist and winner of the 2025 Dublin International Piano Competition, Carter Johnson, performs live in studio. See omnystudio.com/listener for…
ArenaMary and Padraic Colum: The Lives and the Dream - Margaret Kelleher
Author Margaret Kelleher discusses her book Mary and Padraic Colum: The Lives and the Dream. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaDavid Lynch's Blue Velvet at 40
Steven Benedict looks back at David Lynch's Blue Velvet 40 years on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaRTÉ Short Story Competition at 40
Rick is joined by former judge and writer Neil Hegarty, former competition winner John O'Donnell, and the Short Story Series producer, Sarah Binchy, to…
ArenaColm Ó Foghlú and Aoife Ní Bhriain discuss their new works
Colm Ó Foghlú and Aoife Ní Bhriain discuss their Stiúideo Cuan–commissioned works, plus a live studio performance from Aoife. See omnystudio.com/listener for…
ArenaTV reviews
Chris Wasser and Jenn Gannon review Brothers (Apple TV+), Monster: Lizzie Borden (Netflix) and Tall Tales and Murder (RTÉ). See omnystudio.com/listener for…
ArenaAlbum reviews
Eamon Sweeney and John Meagher review new releases from Gilla Band, Beck and Gurriers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaFilm reviews
Justin Mac Gregor and Tara Brady review Hope, Sense and Sensibility, Her Private Hell and The Lost Children of Tuam.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
ArenaThe Airport Chaplain - Hugo Weaving
Hugo Weaving discusses his latest film, The Airport Chaplain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaVisions by Eoghan Quinn
Director Claire O’Reilly and actors Oliver Flitcroft and Ghaliah Conroy discuss Visions, a new Abbey Theatre production written by Eoghan Quinn. See…
ArenaFilm reviews
Justin Mac Gregor and Tara Brady review Hope, Sense and Sensibility, Her Private Hell and The Lost Children of Tuam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
ArenaSense, Sensibility & Sisters
Caitríona Balfe discusses the new big-screen adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility, her role as Mrs Dashwood, and working alongside Daisy…
ArenaA.S. Fanning: Taking Us Back to Nowhere
A.S. Fanning discusses his latest album Take Me Back To Nowhere, his first headline tour in Ireland in nine years, and his dark, atmospheric sound. See…
ArenaLong Live the Library!
Martina Devlin and Irish Fiction Laureate Éilís Ní Dhuibhne celebrate the joy of public libraries, from borrowing and reading to the enduring magic of books…
ArenaNew exhibition at IMMA - Technologies of Peace
Mary Cremin, co-curator of Technologies of Peace, takes us through the new exhibition at IMMA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaNo Vacancy - Jan Carson
Jan Carson discusses No Vacancy, her new collection of microfiction about staying in hotels around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
ArenaThe Lost Children of Tuam - Liam Neeson and Monica Dolan
Liam Neeson and Monica Dolan discuss The Lost Children of Tuam, the new drama about historian Catherine Corless and her research into the former Mother and…
ArenaDublin Theatre Festival 2026 - Dignity
Amanda Coogan and Leanne Quigley discuss a new performance of Teresa Deevy’s play Dignity by Dublin Theatre of the Deaf. See omnystudio.com/listener for…
ArenaDublin Theatre Festival 2026 - Lourdes! The Musical
Xnthony chats with Rick about the world premiere of Lourdes! The Musical at the Civic Theatre in Tallaght as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival 2026. See…
ArenaMichael Mann’s Manhunter at 40
Paul Whittington discusses Michael Mann’s Manhunter at 40. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaArena Culture Night Special
A special broadcast live from Studio One to celebrate Culture Night. Featuring performances from Lasairfhíona, harmony vocal group Landless, concertina…
ArenaFilm reviews
Hilary White and Sarina Bellissimo review Queen At Sea and Bad Apples. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaTV reviews
Chris Wasser and Dee Molumby review the latest series of Slow Horses and Sharon Horgan’s new series Youth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaCreative Journeys - Dave Haslam
Dave Haslam discusses his new book Creative Journeys: Intimate conversations with artists, actors, writers and musicians. See omnystudio.com/listener for…
ArenaNUALA - Hugo Hamilton
Hugo Hamilton on adapting his novel Every Single Minute into the new stage production NUALA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaKatherine Priddy
English folk singer-songwriter Katherine Priddy performs live in studio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaMatilda The Musical - Dennis Kelly
Writer and producer Dennis Kelly on adapting Roald Dahl’s Matilda into a musical. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaLove Between Men - Pádraig Ó Tuama
Poet Pádraig Ó Tuama discusses his new collection, Love Between Men. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Arenathe olllam - European Tour 2026
Michael Shimmin of transatlantic folk-fusion collective The Olllam discusses the group's upcoming Irish tour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
ArenaFarewell to Eden – Sebastian Faulks
Sebastian Faulks on Farewell to Eden – his new novel set after the second world war about a returning British soldier haunted by his time in Palestine. See…
ArenaMansfield Park Opera
Composer Jonathan Dove and theatre director Patrick Mason discuss Opera Collective Ireland's production of Mansfield Park. See omnystudio.com/listener for…
ArenaA Thought Without Collision - Adrian Duncan
Author Adrian Duncan discusses his latest novel, A Thought Without Collision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaAs One: Remaking Suede
Eamon Sweeney discusses As One: Remaking Suede, a new biography of the band by Suede's biography by Roger Glass. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
ArenaVenice 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…
ArenaTV 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.
ArenaAlbum reviews
Cian Sullivan and Zara Hedderman review new releases from Sorcha Richardson, Driven Snow, and This is Lorelei. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
ArenaFilm 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…
ArenaWexford 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…
ArenaDublin 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…
ArenaKavanagh’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…
ArenaHuman 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…
ArenaConducting 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…
ArenaWriting 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…
ArenaReading 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…
ArenaFrom 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…
ArenaMark 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…
ArenaGrief, 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…
ArenaKids, 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…
ArenaAlbum reviews
Lilian Smith and Ashley Keating review new releases by Roe, Macdara Yeates and Paul Heaton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ArenaTV 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…
ArenaFilm 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.
ArenaBilly Ocean on his upcoming Irish tour
Billy Ocean chats to Cristín Leach about his upcoming Irish tour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.