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2fm Greene Room 16 Nov 2025: A Sunday of Music, Politics, and Community Stories
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Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, November 17th 2025 at 8:54 GMT by RTE Online- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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2fm Greene Room – Sunday, 16 November 2025
An inside look at the episode that mixed music, politics and community stories on RTÉ 2fm
On the evening of 16 November 2025, RTÉ 2fm’s flagship chat‑show, the Greene Room, opened its doors with a fresh mix of Irish‑grown talent, a lively political debate and a heartfelt conversation on mental health. Hosted by the ever‑engaging Jenny Greene, the programme was broadcast from RTÉ’s Studio 4 in Dublin and was streamed live on the 2fm website and on the station’s official podcast feed. The episode ran for 90 minutes and, as always, was packed with live music, interviews, listener letters and a “newsflash” segment that kept the audience in the loop.
1. Opening Monologue & Weather
Greene began with a breezy introduction that set a relaxed tone: “Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Greene Room – the Sunday that makes your coffee a little stronger and your stories a little louder.” She followed this with a quick weather update that highlighted a mild night across the island – a detail that the show’s weather link (directed to RTÉ Weather’s official page) added context for listeners planning to head out for a late‑night stroll.
2. “The Two Mice” – Live Music
The first musical highlight came from the duo The Two Mice, whose “Eire’s Rising” hit the airwaves in a lively, folk‑rock arrangement. The show’s notes included a link to the band’s own website (linking to https://www.thetwomice.ie), which highlighted their latest EP, a tour schedule that covered Dublin, Galway and Cork, and a short interview that explained how the band’s sound was born out of the Celtic tradition mixed with contemporary indie elements. In the background, a looping montage of the band’s earlier performances added an energetic backdrop to the interview.
3. Interview with Dr. Caitlin O’Donnell – “The Gaelic Folk Ensemble”
The next segment featured a live interview with Dr. Caitlin O’Donnell, a musicologist and conductor for The Gaelic Folk Ensemble. The duo, celebrated for their revival of traditional Irish fiddle and bodhrán music, was linked to the Ensemble’s own website (https://www.gaelicfolkensemble.ie) and to a recent Irish Times article (link: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/gaelic-folk-ensemble-2025). Dr. O’Donnell discussed the Ensemble’s new album, “Breach”, and their partnership with the National Centre for the Arts to promote Irish folk music in schools. The interview also touched on the importance of preserving regional dialects in song lyrics—a subject that resonated with many listeners.
4. Political Corner – “The Future of Irish Politics”
The show took a turn toward political analysis when Jenny Greene invited Patrick O’Neill, a senior political analyst for The Irish Times, to discuss the looming 2027 general election. The link to O’Neill’s profile on The Irish Times’ site (https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/author/patrick-oneill) provided listeners with context about his previous columns and books. O’Neill gave a balanced view of the current electoral landscape, highlighting the roles of the major parties, and addressed listeners’ questions about how the political discourse has shifted in the age of social media. A short clip of O’Neill’s commentary on the station’s “Newsflash” segment was played for additional insight.
5. Mental Health Awareness – “Talking About the Silent Crisis”
The segment that moved many listeners was a conversation with Megan O’Connor, an advocate from Mental Health Ireland. The link to Mental Health Ireland’s official site (https://www.mh-ireland.ie) gave listeners resources about counseling services, helplines and local support groups. O’Connor discussed the rising rates of depression among the 18‑35 age group and the importance of destigmatizing mental health care. She also promoted the “Hear Us, Heal Us” community event that will be held in Dublin next month, encouraging listeners to attend and share their stories.
6. Listener Letters & Call‑Ins
After a short break, Jenny Greene opened the floor for listener letters. The letters were highlighted via a link to the 2fm “Letters” page (https://www.rte.ie/2fm/letters), and one particular letter, from Eileen O’Grady of Waterford, received a live response. Eileen shared how a small community fundraiser she organized helped fund the restoration of a historic church in her town. Greene praised her initiative and urged other listeners to get involved in local causes.
7. Closing – A Toast to Irish Unity
Jenny wrapped up the show with a toast to the unity that music and conversation can bring. She reminded listeners of the upcoming 2fm Music Fest, an event featuring many of the artists highlighted in the show. The episode closed with a countdown to midnight, playing a final track from The Two Mice as the screen flickered to the station’s logo.
Summary
The 16 November episode of the Greene Room exemplified the show’s hallmark blend of culture, current affairs and community spirit. By weaving together live music from The Two Mice, a thoughtful interview with Dr. Caitlin O’Donnell, a political analysis with Patrick O’Neill, and an emotional conversation on mental health with Megan O’Connor, Jenny Greene offered listeners a holistic view of Irish life. The use of embedded links—directing audiences to artist websites, reputable news outlets, and vital support resources—provided depth and context beyond the radio waves. As always, the episode proved that 2fm remains the heartbeat of contemporary Irish conversation, bringing people together through sound, insight and shared humanity.
Read the Full RTE Online Article at:
[ https://www.rte.ie/radio/2fm/2fm-greene-room-with-jenny-greene/2025/1116/1544324-2fm-greene-room-with-jenny-greene-sunday-16-november-2025/ ]
