In a week when much of Ireland has regressed because of power cuts and water shortages, it might seem insensitive for Ray D’Arcy (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays) to sing the virtues of going backwards. Thankfully, the host isn’t recommending a return to the days of pre-electrification – the aftermath of Storm Éowyn underlines how dependent we are on suddenly fragile infrastructure – but referring to “retro walking”, the practice of perambulating with one’s back facing forward, if that makes sense.
“In the 19th century the activity of retro walking was little more than an eccentric hobby,” says D’Arcy, the implication being that it’s somehow normal now. But the practice has apparently been shown to have health benefits. The host talks to Garret Doherty, a gold medal-winning backwards runner – yes, the sport has a world championship – who has also run the Dublin marathon in reverse gear.
Unsurprisingly, Doherty is an evangelist for the activity, claiming that it exercises different muscles and burns 30 per cent more calories than moving forward, as well as increasing cognitive activity. “You’ve really thought about this,” D’Arcy comments in vague wonderment.
Admittedly, the host doesn’t sound totally persuaded about the advantages of retro walking, but his sideways take on physical exercise – a pet topic – is one of the more diverting moments on his show.
Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+: 10 of the best new shows to watch in February
Ray D’Arcy conjures up a Storm Éowyn image that would leave anyone feeling disconcerted
Russell Brand: BBC apologises after staff felt ‘unable to raise’ complaints about presenter
I am now very fit. I am ready for Ireland’s fittest family to adopt me
Otherwise it runs the usual gamut from celeb interviews, such as Tuesday’s amiably softball chat with the singer Una Healy, to incongruously newsy segments such as Wednesday’s discussion with the journalist Shona Murray about Donald Trump’s covetous designs on Greenland. If nothing else, D’Arcy’s daily menu is hard to predict.
But even amid this variable smorgasbord it’s impossible to escape the shadow of Éowyn. Introducing Monday’s show, the host tries not to be too chipper. “Things have been very difficult,” he observes, “but there’s great stories of people helping each other out and communities bonding together.”
It turns out that D’Arcy himself has been helping out others, loaning electrical cables to neighbours without power, though his offer of sharing bathroom facilities hasn’t been taken up. “I’d probably feel strange about having a shower in my neighbour’s house,” he admits, conjuring up an image that would leave anyone feeling disconcerted.
At least D’Arcy is doing his bit. As thousands continue to suffer the effects of the storm, members of the Government appear caught in the headlights when they appear on Morning Ireland (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays). On Monday’s edition, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary talks about “throwing everything at this” but offers few specifics beyond (rightly) praising the efforts of ESB crews.
This prompts Audrey Carville, the host, to ask where the leadership from the Government is. “You will know how important perception is, and the perception is that the Dáil is on holidays until February 5th,” she says. “We’re not on holidays,” Calleary wearily insists, though his host is surely correct in inferring that the parliamentary recess doesn’t project an image of urgency.
Things aren’t any better during Minister for Housing James Browne’s floundering performance on Tuesday’s programme. The newly installed Cabinet member grows increasingly hesitant and uncertain as Carville’s fellow anchor Gavin Jennings puts him through the wringer, clinging to reiterations about the unprecedented nature of the storm. “Yes, you’ve said that,” Jennings acidly remarks as his guest yet again makes the point.
Later on, Browne sounds more composed when interviewed by Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder (Newstalk, weekdays), if no more convincing. Asked about the lack of generators at Uisce Éireann plants, he sticks to the same blandly noncommittal talking points, enlivened by promiscuous use of the dread term “learnings”. The Ministers obviously have no control over the destructive elements, but their interviews compound the impression of a Government struggling to get a grip on events.
There’s extensive first-hand testimony to the misery of those affected by poststorm infrastructure damage on Drivetime (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays), as well as the odd inadvertent philosophical conundrum. “You are very welcome to the programme, if indeed you are able to listen to us,” says its presenter Sarah McInerney, begging an age-old question: if a broadcaster talks on the radio and nobody one hears them, do they make a sound?
Neither McInerney nor her cohost Cormac Ó hEadhra offers any illumination on that particular poser, but they do highlight the distressing stories emerging in Éowyn’s wake. On Wednesday Ó hEadhra speaks to Joan Comer, whose adult son Rory is receiving palliative care for brain cancer at home in Dunmore, Co Galway. Not only have they been without electricity for six days, but when Rory suddenly got sick Joan was unable to call an ambulance; their mobile-phone coverage is so unreliable that the local nurse has to drive 8km to make a call. Nor has Joan been contacted by any Government department about her plight. “I don’t know what we’re going to do,” she says, audibly exhausted but also fuming: “Let no politician come to my door looking for a vote.”
Right on cue, Minister of State Neale Richmond appears on the show, expressing sympathy for Joan’s ordeal in heartfelt tones. It’s not enough for McInerney, however. “Do you accept there’s a lot of anger among people,” she asks, “and a lack of acceptance that the Government was prepared for this storm?” Richmond concedes the public is angry – “I don’t hide from that” – but sidesteps the second part of the question, instead turning to the by-now trusty ministerial tactic of lauding ESB workers.
The junior minister also calls Storm Éowyn a “once-in-a-generation” occurrence, a description that seems increasingly fanciful with each catastrophic weather event. “Given climate change, it’s likely not to be once in a generation,” McInerney suggests, asking how the Government will help people on the perennially battered Atlantic seaboard. Richmond reassures his host that the Cabinet has signed off on a memo seeking a full review of the situation. Learnings ahoy!
Still, there are glimpses of hope. As Wednesday’s show closes, McInerney reports that the power is now back on in Joan’s house. “It sounds like people are slowly but surely getting there,” the host says, with tentative optimism. At the very least, it’s a step in the right direction.
Moment of the Week
As his morning talkshow reaches its first birthday, Oliver Callan (RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays) has proved himself a nimble host, comfortable with subjects of all shades. This week alone features a difficult but empathetic interview with the domestic-abuse survivor Lisa O’Meara, a jolly encounter with the No Worries If Not comedy team and an absorbing conversation with the Irish Times columnist Fintan O’Toole. But Callan still has the odd weak spot. Talking about Donald Trump’s whirlwind second presidency, his wordplay skills are stretched to breaking point. “I know lot of the world has presidential trepidation feelings,” says Callan, “or Trumpidation, we should probably call it at this stage.” Uh-huh. That pun is so bad it could belong in this column. As it now does.
How can Ireland prepare for its next weather bomb?
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Our In The News podcast is now published daily – Find the latest episode here
