WITH Christmas just around the corner the time to eat, drink and be merry is fast approaching - as is the obligatory holiday television schedule.
Here are our top picks from the 2019 Christmas television offering, with an added Irish flavour, for all the family.
Saturday, December 21
Ed Sheeran: Austin City Limits. Sky Arts, 10.15pm
He might be one of the biggest music stars in the world, but this concert has got to be one of his smallest. Filmed at an intimate venue in Texas, this shows Sheeran – whose roots lie in Belfast and Co. Wexford – at his best.
Philomena. BBC4, 10.55PM
Based on the true story of Irishwoman Philomena Lee, Judi Dench brings the heart-aching tale of a mother’s 50-year search for her son, who was taken away from her when she was a teenage inmate at Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
Sunday, December 22
Songs of Praise. BBC1, 1.15pm
Aled Jones hosts The Christmas Big Sing from the Assembly Hall in Belfast. Katherine Jenkins performs.
Aled Jones presents Songs of Praise from BelfastMonday, December 23
White Christmas. Channel 4, 1.35pm
Why not kick off the Christmas festivities by watching the classic White Christmas. It’s got everything you need from a winter really – including the Second World War, Bing Crosby – whose mother Kate Harrigan hailed from Schull in Co. Cork, Danny Kaye, Irving Berlin and a yuletide miracle!
Christmas Eve
Gareth Malone’s Christmas Concert. BBC2, 9PM
Choirmaster Gareth Malone is invited to Watford General Hospital to put on a specual show for the hard-pressed NHS staff working there. Born in London to Irish parents Sian and James Malone, Gareth developed his singing career after the family moved to Bournemouth. He is widely held to have transformed the choral scene through his BBC series The Choir.
Gareth Malone's Christmas Concert comes from Watford General HospitalChristmas Day
Mrs Brown’s Boys. BBC1, 10.30pm
Brendan O’Carroll’s Mammy Agnes Brown is back for a double serving with the two new episodes set to air on BBC One on both Christmas and New Year’s Day. The first episode, titled A Wonderful Mammy, sees Mrs Brown in everyone’s bad books. Betty is angry with her for giving Bono money, Mark is upset at her for not listening to Betty, Winnie thinks Agnes doesn’t care about her and Cathy thinks she’s nosy. It’s enough to see her begin to ponder whether or not life would be better if she had never been born. Soon an “angel” by the name of Clyde appears and seemingly grants her wish with Mrs Brown finding herself in a world she doesn’t recognise and that doesn’t recognise her.
Mrs Brown's Boys is back for ChristmasBoxing Day
Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs. ITV, 6pm
During a festive trip to Battersea Cats and Dogs home, Mr O’Grady is presented with animals with issues – from a reclusive dog that won’t leave her kennel, to a grumpy Yorkshire Terrier who is refusing to walk. Tissues at the ready.
Skyfall. ITV, 8.30pm
The 23rd instalment of the James Bond series stars Daniel Craig at the fictional MI6 agent James Bond and second-generation Irishwoman Judi Dench in her final appearance as M. The drama centres on Bond investigating an attack on the secret government organisation. Directed by Sam Mendes, Ben Wishaw, Naomie Harris and Ralph Fiennes also star.
Big Fat Quiz of the Year. C4, 9pm
The annual comedy lookback features not one but two irish comedians on the panel for 2019. Roisin Conaty and Dara O’Briain join Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding, Maya Jama and host Jimmy Carr – also of Irish descent – for the fun-filled competition that requires them to remembers some of the most prominent episodes of the past year.
Saturday, December 28
Take Me Out Emergency Services Special. ITV, 5.30pm
The hilarious Paddy McGuinness, a Lancashire lad with parents from Co. Tipperary, brings his popular dating show back for a festive special – featuring 30 women who all work in the emergency services. Will they find a date? Let the mince see the pies….
Sunday, December 29
Liam Gallagher: As It Was. BBC2, 10.15pm
The mouthier of the Oasis brothers tells all in this revealing music documentary. Born in Manchester to Irish parents Thomas and Peggy, Liam talks frankly about his life to date – taking viewers on a journey through the highest highs, the crashing lows and the plans to stage the greatest comeback in rock history.
Liam Gallagher: As it Was airs on December 29Monday, December 30
Searching for Sam: Adrian Dunbar on Samuel Beckett. BBC4, 10pm
Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar knows a lot about Samuel Beckett. He’s directed several of Beckett’s plays in his hometown of Enniskillen, where Beckett was as school in the 1920s. So Dunbar’s take on the esteemed Irish playwright is bound to be captivating in this documentary.
Adrian Dunbar is a self-confessed Samuel Beckett superfanIron Man Three. BBC1, 11.35pm
This impressive sequel brings Robert Downey Junior – whose father’s roots lie in Ireland – back to the fore as Tony Stark in his soul-searching best. He faces a villain known as the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) who is on the rampage, leading a national terrorism campaign on the USA.
New Year’s Eve
The Graham Norton Show. BBC1, 10.20pm
With a typically impressive line-up, Graham Norton has your New Year’s Eve viewing sorted. Joining him on the couch for the final time this year are Stephen Graham, Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse and Hollywood legend Tom Hanks.
New Year’s Day
The Great Festive Bake Off. C4, 7.40PM
Not to be missed, this is the much anticipated episode which sees the Derry Girls cast in place at guest bakers in the Bake Off tent. There’s a trifle, and a lot of booze. Set a reminder!
Mrs Brown's Boys specials air on Christmas Day and New Year's DayMrs Brown's Boys. BBC1, 10.30pm
The New Year’s Day instalment of Mrs Brown’s Boys is titled Orange Is The New Mammy. It sees Agnes facing a dilemma with the news that her mortal enemy Peggy Piper the Pernod poisoner has been released from prison on appeal. Winnie, being the one who gave evidence against her old pal, is also quaking in her boots. There is ultimately a showdown…and the obligatory hoedown.
