Broadcaster Joe Duffy returns to RTÉ studios for the first time since June 2025 to join Patrick Kielty on The Late Late Show Halloween Special, headlining a broadcast that honours actress Fionnula Flanagan and features new drama stars.
Friday night brings a distinct gathering of familiar Irish media figures, international actors, and returning talent to the RTÉ One and RTÉ Player stage at 9:35pm. The broadcast leans heavily into seasonal storytelling and homecoming themes, anchored by veterans of stage and screen alongside fresh faces from upcoming network programming.
Joe Duffy Returns to Montrose Following Liveline Departure
More than a year after his final sign-off, Joe Duffy is set to return to RTÉ. The broadcaster left Montrose in June 2025, concluding a 37-year run as the presenter of RTÉ Radio 1 listener-driven forum Liveline. His return to the famous studios places him across from host Patrick Kielty to discuss his latest book.
The publication documents extraordinary stories gathered from decades of broadcasting, reflecting a generation of ups and downs in Irish life. Duffy joins a lineup designed to bridge generations of entertainment talent, sharing the studio with performers whose careers span local theatre and international film sets.
Fionnula Flanagan Celebrates a Lifetime in Hollywood and Ireland
The evening will honour actress Fionnula Flanagan, whose Hollywood career spans over half a century. Her extensive credits include an Emmy award and standout roles in film and television projects such as The Guard, The Others, Transamerica, Lost, and Murder, She Wrote. After spending six decades living in Hollywood, she moved back to her beloved Ireland in 2024.
Spooky season is officially here and this week’s Late Late Show has a spellbinding line-up for its Halloween Special!
The Late Late Show production team, via RTÉ
Kate Mulgrew and Clinton Liberty Preview The Galway Bay Murders
Drama takes centre stage when actors Kate Mulgrew and Clinton Liberty appear to discuss their new RTÉ series, The Galway Bay Murders. The pair will chat about filming along the west coast of Ireland, sharing what it was like to work alongside co-star Colm Meaney and discussing the unusual timing of promoting a thriller during the Halloween season.
Mulgrew’s expansive sci-fi background and Liberty’s rising profile in fantasy television bring a cross-generational dynamic to the drama preview.
Comedy, Theatre, and Music Complete the Halloween Lineup
Comedian and podcaster Shane Daniel Byrne joins the programme to talk about taking his new show, Baby This Time, on the road. He will also discuss stepping into the role of Clarence in The Gate Theatre’s upcoming production of It’s a Wonderful Life, despite having never watched the film, alongside reflecting on his transition from a pensionable job into full-time comedy.
Rounding out the studio guests is Joe McGucken, star of RTÉ KIDS’ supernatural comedy drama The Unreal and host of the podcast Ramble. Musical accompaniment for the evening will be provided by Toshín, known for her powerful vocals and stage presence.