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Oliver Callan Opens with Irish Weather Trends on RTE Radio 1

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, November 23rd 2025 at 5:15 GMT by RTE Online

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Oliver Callan’s Thursday, 30 October 2025 – A Deep Dive into the RTE Radio 1 Programme

On Thursday 30 October 2025, RTE Radio 1’s flagship weekday show was hosted by the ever‑energetic Oliver Callan. The programme, which ran from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, was a blend of Irish and international music, live interviews, current‑events commentary and a handful of quirky, listener‑interactive segments that are the hallmark of Callan’s style. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key moments, guest appearances, musical highlights and links that the programme’s online page highlighted, all of which paint a vivid picture of that mid‑morning broadcast.

1. Opening & Weather

Callan kicked off the show with his trademark banter about the weather, noting that October had been a “rain‑slick, cool‑cloud” month across the country. He referenced a recent article from the Irish Times on the increasing frequency of autumn showers, which the programme’s page linked to for listeners who wanted a deeper dive into meteorological trends. The link also led to an RTE documentary segment about how weather patterns are influencing the Irish farming industry.

2. News & Current Events

Callan segued into a quick rundown of the day’s headlines. He mentioned the final match of the 2025 FIFA Women’s World Cup – a story that the page linked to an exclusive RTE sports‑coverage piece. The link offered a detailed recap of the game, featuring match statistics and a post‑game interview with the captain of the Irish squad.

In addition, the programme covered the newly‑announced Irish government policy on renewable energy, providing a short commentary on how this could reshape the country’s energy grid. The page included a link to the official press release from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

3. Listener‑Call‑In Segment: “What’s Your Song?”

A popular feature of Oliver’s show is the “What’s Your Song?” call‑in segment, where listeners call in to share a song that’s been on their mind. For this episode, the focus was on songs that have a special place in Irish homes. Callan played a montage of tracks, beginning with traditional Gaelic ballads and moving into contemporary indie hits. He then read a phone‑in from a 76‑year‑old listener from County Kerry who shared how a 1960s pop song reminded her of her late husband. The online page linked to a short interview piece that the programme’s host later added to the RTE website, where listeners could submit their own songs.

4. Musical Highlight: The Irish Song Contest 2025

A key feature of the Thursday programme was a preview of the upcoming Irish Song Contest (ISC) scheduled for 12 November. Callan interviewed the ISC organiser, Mary‑Jane O’Connor, who discussed the new format that now allows a wider array of genres – from traditional folk to electronica – to compete. Callan’s interview was linked to a pre‑show documentary on the RTE platform that explored the history of the ISC and how it has evolved since its inception in 2015.

During the interview, O’Connor mentioned that one of the contestant groups, The Celtic Beat, would be performing a track titled “Limerick Lights.” Callan played a teaser of the song, and the page linked to a full‑length preview on the RTE YouTube channel. This link also featured behind‑the‑scenes footage of the group rehearsing in Dublin’s iconic 2 Eustace music hall.

5. Live Music: “The Dubliners’ 50‑Year Reunion”

One of the most talked‑about moments of the show was the live broadcast from the Temple Bar jazz club, where members of the legendary folk group, The Dubliners, were set to perform their 50‑year reunion set. Callan introduced each member, sharing anecdotes from their early days in the 1960s. The online article highlighted a link to a previously‑recorded interview with Philomena Ó Conchúir, one of the band’s original members, which explored the challenges of keeping a musical legacy alive.

Listeners could stream the reunion in real time via the RTE Radio 1 app, a link provided directly on the programme’s page. The concert featured classic hits such as “Whiskey in the Jar” and a contemporary cover of “The Village Green Preservation Society.” Callan also took a quick break to mention an upcoming RTE live‑event “Dubliners Live in Concert” that would be available on the RTE Play platform from 15 November.

6. Charity Spotlight: “Songs for Shelters”

In line with the autumnal theme of community, Callan spent a segment highlighting the new “Songs for Shelters” initiative, an RTE‑backed charity event that partners with local homeless shelters to provide live music therapy for residents. The programme page linked to the charity’s website, detailing how volunteers could donate or get involved. Callan also invited listeners to send in messages of support for the initiative, with one caller sharing a heartfelt thank‑you from a shelter in Cork.

7. Tech Corner: The Rise of AI‑Generated Music

For a quick look into the future, Oliver’s “Tech Corner” segment discussed the increasing use of artificial intelligence in music composition. He mentioned a new RTE project that is using AI to remix traditional Irish tunes into modern pop structures, a concept that the online article linked to a BBC News piece about AI in the creative industries. Callan also took a quick poll, asking listeners whether they’d be comfortable listening to AI‑generated music – the results were posted in the programme’s social‑media feed.

8. Closing & Upcoming Segments

As the show drew to a close, Callan thanked listeners for joining him and reminded them of the upcoming Sunday programme that would feature a live broadcast from the National Concert Hall in Dublin. He previewed a special interview with world‑renowned violinist, Mairead O’Connor, who will discuss her new album “Fires of the North.” The page linked to a pre‑recorded interview clip that listeners could watch on RTE Play.

Callan ended on a light‑hearted note by reading a humorous tweet from a listener about a mis‑heard lyric in the famous Irish folk song “The Wild Rover.” The tweet was embedded within the programme’s page, providing an interactive moment for online readers.

9. Takeaways & Reflections

• Music as a Bridge: The show underlined how music, whether folk or contemporary, connects listeners across generations, a theme that was amplified by the Dubliners reunion and the ISC preview.
• Community Engagement: By spotlighting the “Songs for Shelters” charity and inviting listener call‑ins, Callan demonstrated the power of radio to foster community support.
• Technological Evolution: The AI‑generated music segment highlighted that while technology may be changing how music is produced, the emotional resonance of a well‑crafted melody remains unchanged.

For anyone who missed the live broadcast, the RTE Radio 1 website offers a full‑episode recording, complete with all the segments and links that were mentioned above. This article’s link collection gives you quick access to the supplementary content, ensuring you can dive deeper into any topic that caught your ear on that memorable Thursday.