Television A CELTIC CHRISTMAS - CHRISTMAS EVE 6.30 pm RTE 1 The ancient abbey of Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath is the beautiful and evocative setting for a programme which brings us into the true spirit of Christmas with a star line-up of singers, musicians and choirs. Máire Brennan, Brian Kennedy, Eimear Quinn, Roisín O'Reilly, Tom McArdle, Cantando, Mullingar Cathedral Choir and Meath Diocesan Choir join composer and singer Liam Lawton with new songs for the season, the Christmas poems of Patrick Kavanagh, and traditional carols beloved by all. MASS OF THE NATIVITY - CHRISTMAS EVE 10.50 pm RTE 1 In his first Christmas as Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin is principal celebrant of Christmas Midnight Mass from Dublin's Pro-Cathedral. The Palestrina Choir, directed by Blanaid Murphy, sing the Mass of St Nicholas by Joseph Haydn, together with traditional Christmas carols. Midnight Mass in the 'Pro' has been a popular event for generations of Dubliners. MIDNIGHT MASS OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD - CHRISTMAS EVE BBC1 11.40pm A celebration of the birth of Jesus from Saint George's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Southwark in London. EUROVISION MASS FOR CHRISTMAS DAY - 10.00 RTE 1 A unique location for a unique event! This year, for the first time on Irish television, Mass for Christmas comes live from the circus! This display of faith, embracing all the talents which create wonder, laughter, joy, and amazement, symbolises the wonder and joy at the Birth of the Saviour The venue is the Big Top of one of the leading circus companies in France - Circus Pinder-Jean Richard, in Paris. Commentator: Fr Dermod McCarthy URBI ET ORBI - CHRISTMAS DAY 11.00AM RTE 1 Pope John Paul once again gives his Christmas greetings and blessing to the world from St. Peter's in Rome. Commentator: Fr Tom McCarthy CHRISTMAS MORNING SERVICE - 11.35a.m. RTE 1 The Church of Ireland Service this morning is presented by the staff and students of St. Columba's College, Rathfarnham, Dublin. The celebrant is Rev Michael Heaney. GREETINGS FROM THE ARCHBISHOPS OF ARMAGH - CHRISTMAS DAY 2.00pm RTE 1 The Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Archbishops of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady and Dr Robin Eames give a joint greeting and blessing to the Irish people. Radio MIDNIGHT MASS - CHRISTMAS EVE RTE RADIO 1 12 MIDNIGHT Midnight Mass from St Patrick's Church, Celbridge, Co Kildare Celebrant: Father Patrick Carmody CHRISTMAS DAY MASS - RTE RADIO 1 10.02AM Mass from St Patrick's Church, Celbridge, Co Kildare Celebrant: Fr John Greene. SOUTH EAST RADIO 95.6/96.2/96.4FM - CHRISTMAS DAY 9.20amPM Sounds for Sunday will be broadcast on Christmas Day and will include messages from Bishop Peter Barrett, Church of Ireland Bishop of Ferns, Bishop Eamonn Walsh, Roman Catholic Apostolic Administrator of Ferns and Rev Eric Duncan of the United Methodist/Presbyterian Church in Wexford. At 10.00am and following the news Frank Flanagan will present Sounding Out, which will have a distinctive Christmas feel. ST STEPHEN'S DAY - RTE LYRIC FM 8.30AM - GLORIA Tim Thurston presents a selection of sacred music to mark the feastday of St Stephen. MONDAY 27TH DECEMBER - RTE RADIO 1 at 1.30PM MICHAEL LITTLETON MEMORIAL LECTURE The Christian in the Public Square was the title of this year's Michael Littleton Memorial Lecture, delivered by Most Rev Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin. It was recorded live in RTE and was followed by a series of questions and answers from the audience. December 2004 |