Behind the Story

Kneecap, Traitors, Adolescence and the Eurovision, just some of the big entertainment stories that hit the headlines this year. Streaming continues to grow and threatens to upend how we watch and enjoy movies. Actors unions and the big studios are concern about the future. Despite this, it was a good year for Irish musicians, actors and production companies.Fran talks to Arts and Media Correspondent Evelyn O’Rourke and Entertainment Journalist Alan Corr as they pick out their highs and lows of 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns around US tariffs dominated the first half of the year in 2025. While on the domestic front, the debate around working from home continued as many businesses insisted their employees return to the workplace. The school secretaries strike was one of the year's big industrial actions and the challenges of meeting housing targets were never far from the headlines. RTÉ's Brian O’Donovan and David Murphy sit down with Fran McNulty to tease out the stories that shaped the economic and business this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the year comes to an end, Fran takes a look back at some of the stories on artificial intelligence that were covered on the podcast. From new guidelines, AI music, technology in schools and AI therapy chatbots, the technology continues to challenge and upend many industries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dáil rows, Trump's tariff threats and a Presidential campaign: Professor Gary Murphy of DCU and political reporter Sandra Hurley join Fran to dissect and analyse the year in politics. The trio discuss the emergence of Michael Lowry TD as a power broker in government formation and the decision by Sinn Féin to back Independent TD Catherine Connolly for the run at the Áras which she ultimately won. The trio also take a look into the new year and the prospect to two by-elections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twenty four hours on from the publication of the Fianna Fáil report into their Presidential campaign, Fran and Barry dissect the reaction to the report and examine the pressure on Party leader Michéal Martin. Later, reporter Kate Varley joins the duo and chats about her recent trip to Bangladesh. Kate visited Cox's Bazaar, home to 1.3million Rohinyga refugees and explains how recent aid cuts are beginning to take effect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.