Rick O'Shea
@rickoshea.bsky.social
Broadcaster @rte.ie - currently on Arena on @rteradio1.bsky.social.
Runs Ireland's largest book club, patron @epilepsyireland.bsky.social, board of Fighting Words NI.
Arts event curator and moderator.
Quizzer.
Links: https://linktr.ee/rickoshea
Runs Ireland's largest book club, patron @epilepsyireland.bsky.social, board of Fighting Words NI.
Arts event curator and moderator.
Quizzer.
Links: https://linktr.ee/rickoshea
Pinned
It's been two years of a year...
It was the year we started with two dogs and ended with three, the year I wrote and ended a book column, the year the @laibluesky.bsky.social gave me their Presidents Medal, the year I interviewed authors and filmmakers on stage, curated events, gave away awards.
🧵
It was the year we started with two dogs and ended with three, the year I wrote and ended a book column, the year the @laibluesky.bsky.social gave me their Presidents Medal, the year I interviewed authors and filmmakers on stage, curated events, gave away awards.
🧵
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
Good to see @davetynan.bsky.social's We Used to Dance Here in @rickoshea.bsky.social's Best Books of 2025 list.
'Cracking, straight from the opening story...I rarely find a collection without a dud story somewhere - this is one of them.'
www.independent.ie/entertainmen...
'Cracking, straight from the opening story...I rarely find a collection without a dud story somewhere - this is one of them.'
www.independent.ie/entertainmen...
Rick O’Shea’s best books of 2025: Great reads you might have missed this year
I’m attempting to focus on books that you might not find in other end-of-year lists you’ve seen in the run up to Christmas – the ones that have possibly not gotten the spotlight and love they deserve.
www.independent.ie
December 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Good to see @davetynan.bsky.social's We Used to Dance Here in @rickoshea.bsky.social's Best Books of 2025 list.
'Cracking, straight from the opening story...I rarely find a collection without a dud story somewhere - this is one of them.'
www.independent.ie/entertainmen...
'Cracking, straight from the opening story...I rarely find a collection without a dud story somewhere - this is one of them.'
www.independent.ie/entertainmen...
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
Some really interesting book recommendations by @rickoshea.bsky.social in today's @independent.ie
Including Allan Radcliffe, Adrian Duncan, Roisín O'Donnell. I hadn't heard of Greyhound by Joanna Pocock but it sounds fascinating.
www.independent.ie/entertainmen...
Including Allan Radcliffe, Adrian Duncan, Roisín O'Donnell. I hadn't heard of Greyhound by Joanna Pocock but it sounds fascinating.
www.independent.ie/entertainmen...
Rick O’Shea’s best books of 2025: Great reads you might have missed this year
I’m attempting to focus on books that you might not find in other end-of-year lists you’ve seen in the run up to Christmas – the ones that have possibly not gotten the spotlight and love they deserve.
www.independent.ie
December 20, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Some really interesting book recommendations by @rickoshea.bsky.social in today's @independent.ie
Including Allan Radcliffe, Adrian Duncan, Roisín O'Donnell. I hadn't heard of Greyhound by Joanna Pocock but it sounds fascinating.
www.independent.ie/entertainmen...
Including Allan Radcliffe, Adrian Duncan, Roisín O'Donnell. I hadn't heard of Greyhound by Joanna Pocock but it sounds fascinating.
www.independent.ie/entertainmen...
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
It's time for a break. I'll be back online on Jan 5th to tell you all about the first regular Arena of 2026.
Stay safe x
Stay safe x
December 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
It's time for a break. I'll be back online on Jan 5th to tell you all about the first regular Arena of 2026.
Stay safe x
Stay safe x
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
We've had live events for Culture Night, The Poems of Seamus Heaney, the RTE Short Story Competition, the 100th Dublin Review.
Everyone has been so lovely at every turn, don't think that every kind word hasn't meant the world to me.
Everyone has been so lovely at every turn, don't think that every kind word hasn't meant the world to me.
December 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
We've had live events for Culture Night, The Poems of Seamus Heaney, the RTE Short Story Competition, the 100th Dublin Review.
Everyone has been so lovely at every turn, don't think that every kind word hasn't meant the world to me.
Everyone has been so lovely at every turn, don't think that every kind word hasn't meant the world to me.
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
It has been the most extraordinary and challenging time since then. I've spoken to hundreds of reviewers, musicians, filmmakers, actors, academics, composers, writers, poets, opera singers, photographers, artists, fashion designers...
December 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
It has been the most extraordinary and challenging time since then. I've spoken to hundreds of reviewers, musicians, filmmakers, actors, academics, composers, writers, poets, opera singers, photographers, artists, fashion designers...
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
But, it was the year I began on one @rte.ie channel and finished on another.
The year I found myself, for the last five months, sitting in the seat my late colleague Seán Rocks made his own for sixteen years before his sudden, tragic death at the end of July. No-one could have seen that coming.
The year I found myself, for the last five months, sitting in the seat my late colleague Seán Rocks made his own for sixteen years before his sudden, tragic death at the end of July. No-one could have seen that coming.
December 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
But, it was the year I began on one @rte.ie channel and finished on another.
The year I found myself, for the last five months, sitting in the seat my late colleague Seán Rocks made his own for sixteen years before his sudden, tragic death at the end of July. No-one could have seen that coming.
The year I found myself, for the last five months, sitting in the seat my late colleague Seán Rocks made his own for sixteen years before his sudden, tragic death at the end of July. No-one could have seen that coming.
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
It's been two years of a year...
It was the year we started with two dogs and ended with three, the year I wrote and ended a book column, the year the @laibluesky.bsky.social gave me their Presidents Medal, the year I interviewed authors and filmmakers on stage, curated events, gave away awards.
🧵
It was the year we started with two dogs and ended with three, the year I wrote and ended a book column, the year the @laibluesky.bsky.social gave me their Presidents Medal, the year I interviewed authors and filmmakers on stage, curated events, gave away awards.
🧵
December 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
It's been two years of a year...
It was the year we started with two dogs and ended with three, the year I wrote and ended a book column, the year the @laibluesky.bsky.social gave me their Presidents Medal, the year I interviewed authors and filmmakers on stage, curated events, gave away awards.
🧵
It was the year we started with two dogs and ended with three, the year I wrote and ended a book column, the year the @laibluesky.bsky.social gave me their Presidents Medal, the year I interviewed authors and filmmakers on stage, curated events, gave away awards.
🧵
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
€18,850.......
Friends, this is my last day online for a few weeks.
I do it every year, does wonders for the calm over the break. But I have things I want you to know about.
My Xmas Appeal in aid of three amazing charities is €1,405 shy of the €20,000 target I set.
Little help?
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
I do it every year, does wonders for the calm over the break. But I have things I want you to know about.
My Xmas Appeal in aid of three amazing charities is €1,405 shy of the €20,000 target I set.
Little help?
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Support The Rick O'Shea Book Club Xmas Appeal on iDonate.ie
The Rick O'Shea Book Club Xmas Appeal 2025 for DSPCA, My Lovely Horse Rescue and Children's Books Ireland, created by Rick O'Shea | iDonate.ie
www.idonate.ie
December 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
€18,850.......
€18,850.......
Friends, this is my last day online for a few weeks.
I do it every year, does wonders for the calm over the break. But I have things I want you to know about.
My Xmas Appeal in aid of three amazing charities is €1,405 shy of the €20,000 target I set.
Little help?
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
I do it every year, does wonders for the calm over the break. But I have things I want you to know about.
My Xmas Appeal in aid of three amazing charities is €1,405 shy of the €20,000 target I set.
Little help?
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Support The Rick O'Shea Book Club Xmas Appeal on iDonate.ie
The Rick O'Shea Book Club Xmas Appeal 2025 for DSPCA, My Lovely Horse Rescue and Children's Books Ireland, created by Rick O'Shea | iDonate.ie
www.idonate.ie
December 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
€18,850.......
It's been two years of a year...
It was the year we started with two dogs and ended with three, the year I wrote and ended a book column, the year the @laibluesky.bsky.social gave me their Presidents Medal, the year I interviewed authors and filmmakers on stage, curated events, gave away awards.
🧵
It was the year we started with two dogs and ended with three, the year I wrote and ended a book column, the year the @laibluesky.bsky.social gave me their Presidents Medal, the year I interviewed authors and filmmakers on stage, curated events, gave away awards.
🧵
December 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
It's been two years of a year...
It was the year we started with two dogs and ended with three, the year I wrote and ended a book column, the year the @laibluesky.bsky.social gave me their Presidents Medal, the year I interviewed authors and filmmakers on stage, curated events, gave away awards.
🧵
It was the year we started with two dogs and ended with three, the year I wrote and ended a book column, the year the @laibluesky.bsky.social gave me their Presidents Medal, the year I interviewed authors and filmmakers on stage, curated events, gave away awards.
🧵
Friends, this is my last day online for a few weeks.
I do it every year, does wonders for the calm over the break. But I have things I want you to know about.
My Xmas Appeal in aid of three amazing charities is €1,405 shy of the €20,000 target I set.
Little help?
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
I do it every year, does wonders for the calm over the break. But I have things I want you to know about.
My Xmas Appeal in aid of three amazing charities is €1,405 shy of the €20,000 target I set.
Little help?
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Support The Rick O'Shea Book Club Xmas Appeal on iDonate.ie
The Rick O'Shea Book Club Xmas Appeal 2025 for DSPCA, My Lovely Horse Rescue and Children's Books Ireland, created by Rick O'Shea | iDonate.ie
www.idonate.ie
December 19, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Friends, this is my last day online for a few weeks.
I do it every year, does wonders for the calm over the break. But I have things I want you to know about.
My Xmas Appeal in aid of three amazing charities is €1,405 shy of the €20,000 target I set.
Little help?
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
I do it every year, does wonders for the calm over the break. But I have things I want you to know about.
My Xmas Appeal in aid of three amazing charities is €1,405 shy of the €20,000 target I set.
Little help?
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
Now at €18,000 with €2,000 to go.....
It has happened every year for as long as I can remember when I run my Xmas Appeal. One anonymous person sends me a card with a €50 cash donation.
Whoever you are, thank you so very much *again* !
Donations are at €16,000 with nine more days to get us to €20,000...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Whoever you are, thank you so very much *again* !
Donations are at €16,000 with nine more days to get us to €20,000...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
December 18, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Now at €18,000 with €2,000 to go.....
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
A few things to note about Arena next week:
Monday it's our inaugural Arena Arts quiz! Two teams of Arena contributors take each other in for the title of champions...
Tuesday we have a panel looking back at their favourite film, books, TV, and music of 2025.
7pm on @rteradio1.bsky.social.
Monday it's our inaugural Arena Arts quiz! Two teams of Arena contributors take each other in for the title of champions...
Tuesday we have a panel looking back at their favourite film, books, TV, and music of 2025.
7pm on @rteradio1.bsky.social.
December 18, 2025 at 1:41 PM
A few things to note about Arena next week:
Monday it's our inaugural Arena Arts quiz! Two teams of Arena contributors take each other in for the title of champions...
Tuesday we have a panel looking back at their favourite film, books, TV, and music of 2025.
7pm on @rteradio1.bsky.social.
Monday it's our inaugural Arena Arts quiz! Two teams of Arena contributors take each other in for the title of champions...
Tuesday we have a panel looking back at their favourite film, books, TV, and music of 2025.
7pm on @rteradio1.bsky.social.
A few things to note about Arena next week:
Monday it's our inaugural Arena Arts quiz! Two teams of Arena contributors take each other in for the title of champions...
Tuesday we have a panel looking back at their favourite film, books, TV, and music of 2025.
7pm on @rteradio1.bsky.social.
Monday it's our inaugural Arena Arts quiz! Two teams of Arena contributors take each other in for the title of champions...
Tuesday we have a panel looking back at their favourite film, books, TV, and music of 2025.
7pm on @rteradio1.bsky.social.
December 18, 2025 at 1:41 PM
A few things to note about Arena next week:
Monday it's our inaugural Arena Arts quiz! Two teams of Arena contributors take each other in for the title of champions...
Tuesday we have a panel looking back at their favourite film, books, TV, and music of 2025.
7pm on @rteradio1.bsky.social.
Monday it's our inaugural Arena Arts quiz! Two teams of Arena contributors take each other in for the title of champions...
Tuesday we have a panel looking back at their favourite film, books, TV, and music of 2025.
7pm on @rteradio1.bsky.social.
Now at €18,000 with €2,000 to go.....
It has happened every year for as long as I can remember when I run my Xmas Appeal. One anonymous person sends me a card with a €50 cash donation.
Whoever you are, thank you so very much *again* !
Donations are at €16,000 with nine more days to get us to €20,000...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Whoever you are, thank you so very much *again* !
Donations are at €16,000 with nine more days to get us to €20,000...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
December 18, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Now at €18,000 with €2,000 to go.....
Friends. €2,500 gets us to target...
The appeal is open until Christmas, but if we do this by Friday I can knock off for the break 🙂
Donate €2.50, €25 or the full €2,500(!!!!!)
Shares also hugely welcome!
Almost there.......
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
The appeal is open until Christmas, but if we do this by Friday I can knock off for the break 🙂
Donate €2.50, €25 or the full €2,500(!!!!!)
Shares also hugely welcome!
Almost there.......
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
December 17, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Friends. €2,500 gets us to target...
The appeal is open until Christmas, but if we do this by Friday I can knock off for the break 🙂
Donate €2.50, €25 or the full €2,500(!!!!!)
Shares also hugely welcome!
Almost there.......
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
The appeal is open until Christmas, but if we do this by Friday I can knock off for the break 🙂
Donate €2.50, €25 or the full €2,500(!!!!!)
Shares also hugely welcome!
Almost there.......
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
It has happened every year for as long as I can remember when I run my Xmas Appeal. One anonymous person sends me a card with a €50 cash donation.
Whoever you are, thank you so very much *again* !
Donations are at €16,000 with nine more days to get us to €20,000...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Whoever you are, thank you so very much *again* !
Donations are at €16,000 with nine more days to get us to €20,000...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
December 16, 2025 at 11:43 AM
It has happened every year for as long as I can remember when I run my Xmas Appeal. One anonymous person sends me a card with a €50 cash donation.
Whoever you are, thank you so very much *again* !
Donations are at €16,000 with nine more days to get us to €20,000...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Whoever you are, thank you so very much *again* !
Donations are at €16,000 with nine more days to get us to €20,000...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
It has happened every year for as long as I can remember when I run my Xmas Appeal. One anonymous person sends me a card with a €50 cash donation.
Whoever you are, thank you so very much *again* !
Donations are at €16,000 with nine more days to get us to €20,000...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Whoever you are, thank you so very much *again* !
Donations are at €16,000 with nine more days to get us to €20,000...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
December 16, 2025 at 11:43 AM
It has happened every year for as long as I can remember when I run my Xmas Appeal. One anonymous person sends me a card with a €50 cash donation.
Whoever you are, thank you so very much *again* !
Donations are at €16,000 with nine more days to get us to €20,000...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Whoever you are, thank you so very much *again* !
Donations are at €16,000 with nine more days to get us to €20,000...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Well that was an absolute joy. Thanks to Maggie O'Farrell and Chloé Zhao for being such warm, giving, interesting interviewees in front of a packed screen one this afternoon.
Thanks to everyone at the @irishfilminstitute.bsky.social for asking me to host...
Thanks to everyone at the @irishfilminstitute.bsky.social for asking me to host...
December 13, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Well that was an absolute joy. Thanks to Maggie O'Farrell and Chloé Zhao for being such warm, giving, interesting interviewees in front of a packed screen one this afternoon.
Thanks to everyone at the @irishfilminstitute.bsky.social for asking me to host...
Thanks to everyone at the @irishfilminstitute.bsky.social for asking me to host...
We've made the fifteen grand mark with about ten days to go, every tenner helps the incredible work of @childrensbooksireland.ie, My Lovely Horse Rescue, and the NSPCA.
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
December 13, 2025 at 12:03 PM
We've made the fifteen grand mark with about ten days to go, every tenner helps the incredible work of @childrensbooksireland.ie, My Lovely Horse Rescue, and the NSPCA.
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
You can do this right now:
Think of a person who wrote a paper you love, whose work influenced or helped you, or has made your professional life better.
Search up their email address. Shoot them a quick email of thanks. It means so, so much. This is a rough time of year, share some joy.
Think of a person who wrote a paper you love, whose work influenced or helped you, or has made your professional life better.
Search up their email address. Shoot them a quick email of thanks. It means so, so much. This is a rough time of year, share some joy.
December 11, 2025 at 10:08 PM
You can do this right now:
Think of a person who wrote a paper you love, whose work influenced or helped you, or has made your professional life better.
Search up their email address. Shoot them a quick email of thanks. It means so, so much. This is a rough time of year, share some joy.
Think of a person who wrote a paper you love, whose work influenced or helped you, or has made your professional life better.
Search up their email address. Shoot them a quick email of thanks. It means so, so much. This is a rough time of year, share some joy.
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
Two more incredible €1,000 donations from @arseblog.com and an anonymous donor (I know who they are, thank you!)
A little under two weeks to go...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
A little under two weeks to go...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
December 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Two more incredible €1,000 donations from @arseblog.com and an anonymous donor (I know who they are, thank you!)
A little under two weeks to go...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
A little under two weeks to go...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Two more incredible €1,000 donations from @arseblog.com and an anonymous donor (I know who they are, thank you!)
A little under two weeks to go...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
A little under two weeks to go...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
December 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Two more incredible €1,000 donations from @arseblog.com and an anonymous donor (I know who they are, thank you!)
A little under two weeks to go...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
A little under two weeks to go...
www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...
Reposted by Rick O'Shea
Lovely to hear @jesstraynor.bsky.social on RTE Arena last night. She and Thomas McCarthy were reading some of their favourite winter poems and discussing them with host @rickoshea.bsky.social.
Jessica also read a poem from her fourth collection New Arcana (from 22:20).
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Jessica also read a poem from her fourth collection New Arcana (from 22:20).
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Winter Poetry
Poets Jessica Traynor and Thomas McCarthy talk winter poetry to remind us of the season's quiet beauty.
www.rte.ie
December 12, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Lovely to hear @jesstraynor.bsky.social on RTE Arena last night. She and Thomas McCarthy were reading some of their favourite winter poems and discussing them with host @rickoshea.bsky.social.
Jessica also read a poem from her fourth collection New Arcana (from 22:20).
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Jessica also read a poem from her fourth collection New Arcana (from 22:20).
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
We are now €12,000 and rising!
Fancy getting involved for three amazing charities?
Fancy getting involved for three amazing charities?
It was such a busy day I didn't notice an immense act of generosity, and not for the first year, from the incredible @jconnollybooks.bsky.social in my Xmas Appeal. He is one of the great ones...
That puts us just shy of €12,000.
Every €10 and every €1,000 helps!
www.idonate.ie/rick
That puts us just shy of €12,000.
Every €10 and every €1,000 helps!
www.idonate.ie/rick
December 10, 2025 at 4:57 PM
We are now €12,000 and rising!
Fancy getting involved for three amazing charities?
Fancy getting involved for three amazing charities?