So many to choose from.
RTÉ has announced its Christmas television schedule on RTÉ One, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. It features everything from entertainment, comedy, music, films to documentaries for all the family.
The one that is catching everyone’s attention is Angela’s Christmas, a funny and heart-warming new feature-length animation by Brown Bag Films based on Frank McCourt’s book and featuring the voices of Ruth Negga and Lucy O’Connell.
Another highlight will come from Baz Ashmawy and his mum Nancy, as they go in search of one of Nancy’s heroes, Pope Francis at the Vatican, in a special new one-off, Baz and Nancy’s Holy Show.
And what would Christmas be without other famous mammies. Two brand new Mrs Brown’s Boys specials will air over Christmas and in Bridget & Eamon, Bridget works out that, with the widow’s pension and life assurance, Eamon would be worth more dead than alive.
RTÉ will mark the 30th anniversary of Fairytale of New York with a new documentary looking back at the making of Fairytale in the company of Shane MacGowan, who turns 60 on Christmas Day, as he reminisces about the writing of the song. Paul Simon, Billy Bragg, Christy Moore, Imelda May and Bob Geldof are among the musicians and songwriters interviewed, along with former members of The Pogues.
Carols from the Castle will be back on RTÉ One on Christmas Eve, and The Nathan Carter Christmas Special will see the country star joined by a host of special guests for a night of music, including performances from Spice Girl Melanie C and Una Healy.
There will be a one-off Christmas special, RTÉ’s Celebrity Home of the Year featuring retired Leinster and Ireland rugby player Mike Ross, TV and radio presenter Eoghan Mc Dermott, writer Melissa Hill, broadcaster Lorraine Keane and Senator David Norris.
There will be no shortage of movies on offer over Christmas with, Brooklyn, Gone Girl, Spectre, Big Hero 6, Jurassic World, Daddy’s Home, Cinderella, Finding Nemo, Hotel Transylvania 2, Monument Men, Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Love and Mercy, Birdman, Guardians of the Galaxy, Horrible Bosses 2, Avengers – Age of Ultron and Hobbit – Battle of the Five Armies being shown. Not to mention all of the Harry Potter movies.
And last, but not least, the soaps should provide some drama. RTÉ has said that it will be a rollercoaster of emotions on Fair City this Christmas. They’ve said, “After a difficult first year of marriage Kerri-Ann receives an unexpected surprise. And as Damien and Caoimhe continue to clash over Saoirse, Damien sends the community into chaos as he takes matters into his own hands.”
Meanwhile, Albert Square is set for its most explosive yuletide yet as EastEnders takes us through to a New Year which goes off with a bang.
