Mick Heaney

6 days ago | irishtimes.com | Mick Heaney

Whatever the topic, Anton Savage (Newstalk, Saturday and Sunday) always brings a playful style to proceedings. But now Savage is set to take his ludic instincts to a whole new level. Chatting to Ian Dempsey, the Today FM presenter, on Saturday, the host can’t hide his excitement when his guest suggests a bespoke game for the show, which has listeners crossing off various phrases spoken on air: “Anton Savage bingo”.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Mick Heaney

As he opens his show on Wednesday, Oliver Callan (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays) is full of seasonal cheer: “The weather is only lovely out there.” It’s a short-lived bright spell, however, the presenter quickly turning his attention to a less benign variety of spring. “It’s yet another health scandal,” he says as he ponders the report on the use of unapproved spinal springs in scoliosis surgery on children at Temple Street hospital in Dublin.

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Mick Heaney

As his back catalogue of awkward moments attests, tact has never been one of Pat Kenny’s most prominent traits. So there should be nothing notable about the presenter’s spectacular lack of diplomacy on Monday’s Pat Kenny Show (Newstalk, weekdays), except that his guest is Tánaiste Simon Harris, whose role as Minister for Foreign Affairs calls for judgment and discretion above all.

3 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Mick Heaney

It’s not a show to avoid tough topics, but throughout the week Liveline (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays) has a decidedly fluffy feel, as Katie Hannon tends to all manner of sheep-related stories. On Monday the guest host learns of the threat posed by errant dogs to flocks around the country. On Tuesday she expands on the ovine theme, hearing about the demands that lambing season puts on farmers, while musing at length on how to pronounce the word “ewe”.

1 month ago | irishtimes.com | Mick Heaney

Never let it be said that Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly are lofty elitists. On Wednesday the presenters of Newstalk Breakfast (weekdays) throw themselves at the mercy of the public by inviting listeners to come up with slogans for their show. As suggestions arrive, the pair’s fancy seems particularly tickled by the snappy “Let’s go insane with Ciara and Shane”. Well, let’s not go too mad.