Chef Dylan McGrath

On The Ray Darcy Show…

Ireland rugby star Robbie Henshaw and his family are releasing an album of traditional tunes with trad superstar Sharon Shannon called The Secret Sessions. They’ll all be joining Ray for chats and a session in the kitchen.

Fresh from picking up a gold medal at the World Elite Women’s Boxing Championships in India, Kellie Harrington joins Ray to talk about her success..

After a rough couple of years, one of Ireland’s most talented chefs, Dylan McGrath, tells Ray about the chronic pain that left him unable to walk…

And State Pathologist, Professor Marie Cassidy, will join Ray to talk about her decision to retire at the end of this year after nearly 15 years in the role…

The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ One at 10pm

Jason McAteer

On The Ray Darcy Show…

Fergus McCormack writes:

From the creators of Love/Hate comes new Irish crime drama Taken Down. Ray will be joined by three of the stars, Brian Gleeson, Lynn Rafferty, and Aïssa Maïga who will take us the behind the scenes of one of the most hotly anticipated shows of the year.

Ray talks to by one Ireland’s most loved football heroes and ambassador for mental health, Jason McAteer.

To celebrate 10 years of collaborations, Ray will be joined by Brendan Courtney and Sonya Lennon, as they look back on their time on Off The Rails and how this led to the launch of the hugely popular Lennon Courtney clothing range. Brendan’s mother Nuala will also join Ray to chat about their upcoming RTÉ One documentary, We Need to Talk about Mam.

And Mary Coughlan joins Ray to talk about her most ambitious project yet which sees her team up with Bjork’s producer in a theatre production about her own life story.

Let me hear you say Rayo hey ho.

*long pause*

Never mind.

The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ One tomorrow at 9.35pm

Pic: RTE

Joe Duffy as ‘Magic Mirror’ in Snow White

On The Ray D’Arcy Show…

Anne-Louise Foley writes:

Senator David Norris will talk to Ray D’Arcy this Saturday night to commemorate 30 years of the ‘Norris V Ireland’ case which paved the way for future changes to the laws around the criminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland.

After his involvement in the launch of 221 + Cervical Check Patient Support Group, Stephen Teap joins Ray to talk about his wife Irene, who died in July 2017 of cervical cancer.

Liveline presenter Joe Duffy tells Ray about making his Panto debut as the Magic Mirror in Snow White at the Tivoli Theatre.

Plus brothers Vladimir and Anton, The Violinists will be in studio to perform an electrifying version of Miserlou (unofficial ‘Pulp Fiction’ theme) accompanied by two Argentine tango dancers.

And completing the line-up this week, a selection of doggy contestants from ‘Ireland’s Next Top Madra’’

The Ray D’Arcy Show on on RTÉ One at 9.45pm.

Pic: Tivoli Theatre

Podge & Rodge and Doireann Garrihy

On The Ray D’Arcy Show…

Fergus McCormack writes:

The return of the mischievous Podge & Rodge to Irish TV after an eight year hiatus is highly anticipated and the irreverent duo join Ray to introduce their new co-host, Doireann Garrihy.

World solo sailor Gregor McGuckin arrived home to a hero’s welcome this week, joins us to tell us about his journey, which ended when he lost both of his masts during a violent southern ocean storm.

Nine-year-old Lucy Harrington is one of Ireland’s youngest award-winning sheep farmers and she joins Ray with her All-Ireland champion lambs and prize-winning hoggets.

Political stalwarts and former ministers Mary O’Rourke, Gemma Hussey and Niamh Bhreathnach join Ray to talk about claims of sexism in the Dáil

And 91-year-old Holocaust survivor Dr. Edith Eger joins Ray to talk about how she learnt how to ‘find joy within’ after the horror of Auschwit

There’ll be music from Maria Byrne, with her stirring take of the Genesis classic, Follow You, Follow Me…

The Ray D’Arcy Show at 9.55pm on RTÉ One.

Pic: RTÉ

Samantha Markle

On The Ray D’Arcy Show….

Via RTÉ:

Samantha Markle (Meghan Markle‘s half sister) joins Ray this week to talk about growing up with the Duchess of Sussex, how a rift has grown between them

Louise O’Neill will tell Ray about her excitement at seeing the stage adaptation of her novel Asking For It at the Abbey Theatre next month…

…And it’s been a great year for Dancing With The Stars winner Jake Carter, who joins Ray to talk about finding love with pro dancer Karen Byrne and his debut Dublin show in Vicar Street this month.

*stares at drinks cabinet*

The Ray D’Arcy Show, Saturday 9.55pm on RTÉ One.

Stephen Rea (right) in Irish box office hit  ‘Black 47’

On The Ray D’Arcy Show…

Via RTÉ

 Ray will be talking to  Oscar nominated actor Stephen Rea about his role in Black 47, the number one movie at the Irish box office, based on the darkest year of the Irish Famine.

In the run up to next week’s National Ploughing Championships in Offaly, Ray is joined by much loved double act, Marty Morrissey and Aine Lawlor.

Social activist and Senator Lynn Ruane reveals the intimate details of her new book, People Like Me – an inspirational memoir about family, class and identity.

Ray meets transgender actor Rebecca Root, the first trans actor to play a trans role in a professional Irish play and finds out more about her upcoming Hollywood roles, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Joaquin Phoenix.

And in studio with Ray is photographer Gerry Mooney, who got the royal seal of approval this week when his photograph of Meghan Markle, was personally chosen to be the Duchess’s birthday ‘Thank You’ card.

*begins personal RTÉ famine*

The Ray D’Arcy Show tomorrow at 9:50pm on RTÉ One

Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

On The Ray D’Arcy Show...

Anne Louise Foley writes:

Just hours after the most anticipated nuptials of the year, Ray D’Arcy will have Ireland’s first replica of Meghan Markle’s wedding dress live in studio. He will also be joined by design duo Brendan Courtney and Sonya Lennon to discuss the hits and misses of the Royal Wedding style.

Donncha O’Callaghan will chat to Ray about his decision to retire from rugby last month…

…Dubliner John Sheahan will blow out the candles on his 79th birthday cake! Joining in the celebrations will be Paddy Moloney, Declan O Rourke, Sharon Shannon and Ruaile Buaile for a good old session in the studio…

…Ray also meets Meath men Richard Thorpe and Barry Ardel who say they are helping solve the housing crisis with their €45,000 pods, complete with fully fitted kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom…

*begins sniffing glue*

The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ One at 10:30pm.

Pic: Getty

David McWilliams

On The Ray D’Arcy Show…

Anne Louise Foley writes:

Dublin GAA player Nicole Owens will talk to Ray about joining hundreds of thousands of people all over the country, to walk from darkness into light for Pieta House’s annual event.

…David McWilliams will be talking about the inflated property market, going back to the boom times, and whether or not he thinks we’ll go bust.

…Una Healy will drop by for a tune and a chat, and Ray will be linking up live to Lisbon to catch up with Ryan O’Shaughnessy on the cusp of his first Eurovision song contest (the semi final airs on RTÉ2 this Tuesday).

Also on the show is Keith Broni the world’s first emoji consultant, who helps companies navigate their way through a growing emoji minefield.

And Ray will be catching up with Derek Mooney on the eve of the Dawn Chorus and Nature Live on RTÉ One this Sunday…

*hides telly*

The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ One at 9:40pm.

Vicki Phelan

On The Ray D’Arcy Show…

Anne Louise Foley writes:

Ray talks to 43-year-old Limerick woman Vicky Phelan who dominated news headlines this week when she settled her High Court action against a US laboratory for €2.5 million. Vicky is currently terminally ill with cervical cancer following missed diagnosis in 2011.

Also on the show is best-selling author and raconteur Michael Harding who will be sharing his entertaining musings on Irish life.

Wedding Planner Peter Kelly aka Franc will be talking about his new series of Say Yes to the Dress on RTÉ2, offering his top tips on planning the perfect wedding…and sharing his predictions for the Royal Wedding.

And this week’s show will also feature a ‘Battle of the Brides‘ where two brides will go head to head in a bid to win their own honeymoon.

The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ One at 10.05pm.

Pic: RTÉ