Newsletter 15th January 2017
Superann Newsletter 15th January 2017
If you would like the Newsletter sent to your personal email address or if you have changed your email address, or know a colleague who would like to get the Newsletters, please send their email address to me Charles Byrne at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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The death has occurred of colleague Barry CASSIN
Salmon, Balbriggan, Dublin
Our deepest sympathy to daughter and colleague Anne Cassin ( Nationwide) and the Cassin family on the death of our colleague Barry Cassin. The following notice appears:
(Peacefully) at Hamilton Park Nursing Home, Balbriggan. Husband of the late Nancy Cassin. Sadly missed by his loving children Anne, James, Philip, Andrew and Lilian, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Reposing at Salmon on Monday 16th January 2017 from 4pm. Removal on Tuesday 17th January 2017 morning to S.S. Peter and Paul's Church, Balbriggan, arriving for Funeral Mass at 10 o'clock. Burial afterwards in S.S. Peter and Paul's Cemetery.
May he rest in eternal peace ..Date Published: Saturday 14th January 2017Date of Death: Saturday 14th January 2017
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Daughter Anne Cassin ( Nationwide) with her Dad and our late colleague Barry Cassin.
Our thanks to Colleague Laurence Foster for sending us the following tribute to Barry :
Barry Cassin.
The theatre world is yet again bereft with the loss of the exceptionally talented Barry Cassin aged 92. An actor, director and author, he not only “trod the boards to posture in spotlights” as an inner voice had once told him, but he also directed with great skill and insight.
Born in 1924 Barry, spurned the option of a career in dentistry and first performed with the ‘Equity Touring Company’ in 1944, being an early member of W.A.A.M.A (the Writers, Actors and Managers Association) and then became a life-long member of Irish Actors Equity. He was also a founding member of the Equity Directors Section.
Having toured with Anew McMaster and the Louis Dalton Company, he set up the “37 Club” in Dublin to produce experimental plays. He was also a member of the Radio Éireann Players and continued to broadcast in later years despite having passed his 90th year. In the 1950s he ran the Pike Theatre with Nora Lever – Wilfred Bramble being a young member, however, his long and fruitfully directorial partnership with Phyllis Ryan’s ‘Gemini Productions’ were an outstanding artistic triumph.
Author John. B. Keane owes much to Barry Cassin’s deft editorial hand, whose professional staging of Keane’s early plays was a masterpiece in enhancing the talents of a good playwright.
Barry Cassin pictured with Doreen Keogh in Fair City in 1992
Barry directed many Irish Premieres of International plays including, Albee’s “Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolf”, Ayckbourn’s “Relatively Speaking” and “Alfie”, all starring Ray McAnally.
In later years he returned to acting with much aplomb in the Abbey Theatre, The Gaiety and, in many Television and Feature Films.
His camaraderie, wit, charm and encyclopaedic knowledge of Irish Theatre will be greatly missed. His legacy and legendary character will live on.
Many thanks to colleague Laurence Foster for this wonderful tribute to Barry... 14th January 2017. CB
( Many thanks to colleague Joe Kavanagh for alerting me to this sad news...CB)
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RTÉ scores Top 20 Television programmes in Ireland
in 2016
Ryan Tubridy - Late Late Toy Show 2016..
RTÉ television broadcast all 20 of the top 20 programmes broadcast in Ireland last year, just-released TAM Ireland/Nielsen consolidated figures have revealed.
RTÉ One continues to be Ireland’s most popular channel, increasing its peak-time audience share by 2% to 25.4%** in 2016 while RTÉ2 also performed well growing its audience by 6% with a share of 7.3%.**
Commenting on the figures, Dermot Horan, Acting Managing Director, RTÉ Television said: “These figures confirm that, despite the fact that Irish audiences have access to more than 800 channels, RTÉ is still their television broadcaster of choice when it comes to accessing quality home-grown programming. Last year was an extremely busy year for RTÉ with the general election, the 2016 centenary celebrations, the Euros and the Olympics and it is heartening to see that when it comes to the big events, Irish audiences still turn to RTÉ when they want quality, comprehensive coverage”.
The Late Late Toy Show continues to be the country’s favourite night on television with 1.57 million people watching last year’s Jungle Book themed extravaganza, making it the second most watched television show of the century so far.
The Late Late Show remains the biggest entertainment programme on Irish television, earning its own slot in the top 20 with the February 19th edition featuring, among others, journalist Paul Williams and model Alicia Douvall.
In a big year for sport, RTÉ’s coverage of UEFA Euro 2016, the All Ireland Football and Hurling Finals, the Guinness Series Live and RBS 6 Nations account for two thirds of the top 20. RTÉ2’s coverage of the Republic of Ireland’s defeat to the French at UEFA Euro 2016 was the second most watched programme on television this year with a total audience of 1.26 million people.
In news, RTÉ’s general election coverage proved a big draw with the Nine O’Clock News on February 27, the day of the election results, proving to be the most popular news bulletin of the year with 721,400 viewers.
In drama, comedy and lifestyle programming, RTÉ continues to lead the way. The first episode of landmark series Rebellion was watched by 713,000 viewers. More recently, 706,600 viewers enjoyed the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas special – Mrs Brown’s Boys: Mammy’s Forest. The episode wasn’t the only appearance by Agnes and family in the Top 20 with the Mrs Brown’s Boys Live special broadcast in summer watched by a total of 630,600 viewers. Once again, the trials and tribulations of home transformation in Room to Improve proved very popular with 679,100 viewers watching architect Dermot Bannon transform a coach-house on February 28th edition of the show.
Dermot Horan said: “It is great to see that television remains a central part of Irish lives, as shown by TAM Ireland’s figures, and that RTÉ television is their first choice. Our commitment to delivering top quality Irish television remains core to what we do and audiences respond in kind as shown by the fact that Sunday night’s slate of programming on RTÉ One – Dancing with the Stars, Fair City, The Nine O’Clock News and Striking Out – attracted audiences of, at least, half a million viewers.
This is the first time since 2014 that RTÉ has secured all 20 of the Top 20 programmes of the year.
For more information on the figures and how Irish TV viewing habits have changed in 2016 go to http://www.tamireland.ie/node/517.
The Top 20 Consolidated Programmes of the Year:*
| Rank | Description | Channel | Date | (r) 000s | Share |
| 1 | Late Late Toy Show, The | RTÉ One | 02-12-2016 | 1,571.6 | 76.18 |
| 2 | UEFA EURO 2016 Live Play – ROI V France | RTÉ2 | 26-06-2016 | 1,262.4 | 82.46 |
| 3 | UEFA EURO 2016 Live Play – Italy V ROI | RTÉ2 | 22-06-2016 | 1,231.3 | 71.88 |
| 4 | UEFA EURO 2016 Live Play – ROI V Sweden | RTÉ2 | 13-06-2016 | 1,082.8 | 70.72 |
| 5 | The Sunday Game Live (SFF: Dublin V Mayo) Draw | RTÉ One | 18-09-2016 | 927.8 | 68.77 |
| 6 | UEFA EURO 2016 Live Play – Belgium V ROI | RTÉ2 | 18-06-2016 | 925.1 | 77.94 |
| 7 | The Saturday Game Live (SFF: Dublin V Mayo) Replay | RTÉ2 | 01-10-2016 | 843.5 | 62.57 |
| 8 | The Sunday Game Live (SHF: Kilkenny V Tipperary) | RTÉ One | 04-09-2016 | 785.5 | 65.44 |
| 9 | UEFA EURO 2016 Live Play – Portugal V France | RTÉ2 | 10-07-2016 | 782.8 | 45.03 |
| 10 | UEFA EURO 2016 Live Play – Portugal V Wales | RTÉ2 | 06-07-2016 | 725.0 | 47.93 |
| 11 | RTE News: Nine O’clock | RTÉ One | 27-02-2016 | 721.4 | 45.69 |
| 12 | Rebellion | RTÉ One | 10-01-2016 | 713.0 | 42.29 |
| 13 | Mrs Brown’s Boys: Mammy’s Forest | RTÉ One | 25-12-2016 | 706.6 | 38.84 |
| 14 | Guinness Series Live – NZ v Ireland | RTÉ2 | 19-11-2016 | 683.0 | 48.38 |
| 15 | Mrs Brown’s Boys: Chez Mammy | RTÉ One | 31-12-2016 | 680.3 | 42.87 |
| 16 | Room To Improve | RTÉ One | 28-02-2016 | 679.1 | 44.11 |
| 17 | Late Late Show, The | RTÉ One | 19-02-2016 | 678.8 | 47.35 |
| 18 | RBS 6 Nations – Live – France v Ireland | RTÉ2 | 13-02-2016 | 672.5 | 58.92 |
| 19 | RBS 6 Nations – Live – England V Ireland | RTÉ2 | 27-02-2016 | 630.8 | 47.36 |
| 20 | Mrs Brown’s Boys Live | RTÉ One | 23-07-2016 | 630.6 | 45.81 |
* Sources: TAM Ireland Ltd/Nielsen TAM, Consolidated data, National Individuals 4+, Jan-Dec 2016,
** RTÉ One, including +1, grew its audience by 2% YoY to 25.4% in peak time.
***RTÉ2 grew its audience by 6% YoY to 7.3%
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Colm Wilkinson - Toronto Irish Person of the Year
& Irish Tour Dates Announced..
Colm & His Musicians will perform songs from his entire career to include all the hit songs from his Broadway & West End Shows…Les Miserables, Phantom of The Opera and beyond. He will include such classics as Bring Him Home, Music of The Night and his interpretation of the great pop songs like Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah and many more.
Presented by Pat Egan Sound Ltd.
A Celebration of glittering international success of Colm Wilkinson
from Les Miserables to The Phantom of the Opera and beyond
Re-scheduled Dates for Irish Concerts....
Tuesday 31st January: Cork Opera House
021) 427 0022 | www.corkoperahouse.ie
Thursday 2nd February: National Concert Hall, Dublin
(01) 417 0000 | www.nch.ie
Tuesday 7th February: National Concert Hall, Dublin
(01) 417 0000 | www.nch.ie
Thurs 9th February: University Concert Hall, Limerick
(061) 331 549 | www.uch.ie
Monday 13th February: National Concert Hall, Dublin
(01) 417 0000 | www.nch.ie
Wednesday 15th February: Cork Opera House
(021) 427 0022 | www.corkoperahouse.ie
Colm Wilkinson, will be honoured at a lunch on Sunday March 5th, 12 noon, at the Toronto downtown Hilton as Toronto 2017 Irish Person of the Year.
Tickets can be ordered via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or from Kitty Freely at 905-773 4136, or from any member of the Committee, namely Kitty Freely, Cormac Monaghan, Angela O'Muiri, Anne-Marie O'Donnell, or Shane O'Neill.. CDB
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RTÉ Archives Weekly
www.rte.ie/archives
www.twitter.com/rtearchives
RTÉ Archives Daily Stories are available at www.rte.ie/archives Coming up on www.rte.ie/archives…
My thanks to colleagues Liam Wylie and Colm Talbot for adapting the content and links they send us each week for the RTÉ Archive site..
These links should make it easier for you to get into the extensive RTÉ Archive site.. CB
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RTÉ Archives Daily Stories are available at www.rte.ie/archives Coming up on www.rte.ie/archives…
Ken Loach, The Gate Theatre, Nadine Coyle, a school of Rock in Dublin, pigeon racing, Jack B Yeats, Dermot Morgan and much more…
Here are the Top 10 most viewed daily archive stories at the moment.
1. Communities Snowed In 1982 http://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0109/843699-communities-snowed-in/
2. Snow Causes Major Disruptions 1982 http://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0109/843556-snow-causes-major-disruptions/
3. The Big Snow 1982 http://www.rte.ie/archives/2016/0115/760459-the-big-snow/
4. Freezing Weather Continues 1982 http://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0109/843625-freezing-weather-continues/
5. Donegal Gaeltacht 1972 http://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0109/843669-donegal-gaeltacht/
6. Car Assembly in Ireland 1967 http://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0109/843614-car-assembly-in-ireland/
7. Big Freeze Grips Ireland 2010 http://www.rte.ie/archives/2015/1202/750771-big-freeze-grips-ireland/
8. Young Scientist Winners From Wexford 1987 http://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0109/843557-young-scientist-winners-from-wexford/
9. Hippies in County Mayo 1971 http://www.rte.ie/archives/2016/0107/758290-hippies-in-county-mayo/
10. Snowfall Throughout Ireland 1974 http://www.rte.ie/archives/2014/0206/502550-snowfall-throughout-ireland/
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Reminder Notice of RTĖ Credit Union Annual General Meeting
The 51st Annual General Meeting of RTÉ Credit Union Ltd. will take place in AR4 RTÉ TV Building on Tuesday 17th January 2017 at 17.45.
We look forward to seeing you there and we welcome any questions you may have during the evening.
Please bring your copy of the Annual Report with you to the meeting which will be posted to you in the coming days.
We will be offering light refreshments on the night.
Many thanks to Karen Tiernan for the above...
Karen Tiernan
Marketing Executive
RTÉ Credit Union
Donnybrook, Dublin 4
Tel 01 208 2657
Fax 01 208 2128
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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RTÉ and Dublin Airport launch new free online TV Entertainment service for passengers
Múirne Laffan, Chief Digital Officer of RTÉ & Dublin Airport Managing Director
Vincent Harrison
RTÉ and Dublin Airport today launched DUBstream, a new pilot entertainment service, offering Irish short form entertainment clips curated by RTÉ to deliver an enhanced passenger experience at Dublin Airport.
The DUBstream entertainment service will be accessible for free on any internet enabled device connected to Dublin Airport’s free Wi-Fi service. The service will deliver hours of short form RTÉ video content, curated by RTÉ across entertainment, comedy, drama and lifestyle genres.
The new DUBstream service, which is a pilot initiative between RTÉ and Dublin Airport, launches with over twenty videos including highlights from The Late Late Show and The Ray D’Arcy Show including interviews with Brian O’Driscoll, Donncha O’Callaghan, the O’Donovan Brothers and Conor McGregor. The service also features highlights from programmes including Bridget & Eamon, Damo and Ivor and The Fear. The content will be updated fortnightly.
Launching the DUBstream service at Dublin Airport today, Múirne Laffan, Chief Digital Officer of RTÉ said: “The launch of DUBstream represents yet another step in our ambition to broaden RTÉ’s out of home offering, bringing RTÉ’s distinct Irish content to viewers wherever they are. Our research has found that there is demand for short format entertainment content for people on the move and DUBstream meets this demand, offering a bespoke service designed specifically for the needs of people travelling through Dublin Airport.”
Welcoming the new service, Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison said:“DUBstream offers our customers top quality Irish entertainment content across a range of devices using Dublin Airport’s high speed Wi-Fi network. We are constantly striving to improve our product at Dublin Airport and we are confident that the new DUBstream service will enhance the overall passenger experience and make travelling through Dublin Airport more memorable. The new service will be easily accessible in just one click from Dublin Airport’s existing user-friendly free Wi-Fi.”
The new DUBstream service will be available throughout both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and the four boarding gate piers at Dublin Airport. Dublin Airport has direct flights to over 180 destinations in 40 countries on four continents and welcomed a record 25 million passengers last year. Passenger numbers have increased by 12% in the first 10 months of this year.
That's all for now have a good week...CB