Sunday Miscellany

Sunday Miscellany is an English-language Irish radio programme featuring new Irish writing of poetry and (mostly non-fiction) prose, broadcast on Sunday mornings on RTÉ Radio 1 since 1968. The programme does not have hosts, but contributions of writings, read by the writers are intercut with related music.^[2] Contributors are a mix of established authors and poets and novices who have submitted their written works for consideration.^[1][3][4]

Sunday Miscellany

Genre	prose poetry music Miscellany music
Running time	50 minutes
Country of origin	Ireland
Language(s)	English
Home station	RTÉ Radio 1
Hosted by	none
Produced by	Sarah Binchy[1]
Recording studio	RTÉ Radio Centre
Original release	1968; 57 years ago (1968)[2]
Opening theme	"Galliard Battaglia" by Samuel Scheidt[2]
Website	www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/sunday-miscellany/

The standard format is pre-recorded, but frequently, versions of the programme have been recorded in front of a live audience with a chamber or full orchestra and vocalists.^[5][6]

A selection of pieces from the show entitled Sunday Miscellany: A Selection 2018 – 2023, won an Irish Book Award in 2023.^[7]

The series had over 300,000 listeners in August 2024,^[8] beating presenter-led shows such as Sunday with Miriam, and Liveline.^[9]

Notable contributors

Contributors to the programme have included:

• Rachel Burrows
• Hilary Boyle^[10]
• Eric Cross^[11]
• Rachael Hegarty^[12]
• William Keohane^[13]
• Benedict Kiely^[14]
• Melosina Lenox-Conyngham
• Brian Leyden^[15][16]
• Bill Long^[17]
• John MacKenna
• Stella G. Mew^[18]
• Éilís Ní Dhuibhne^[19]
• Billy O'Callaghan^[20]
• Madeleine O'Rourke^[21]
• John Ryan
• Jessica Traynor
• Phil Young^[22]
• Seán J. White

Bibliography

Selections of pieces performed on the show have been published.

• Heaney, Marie, ed. (2000). Sunday Miscellany:A Selection from 1995-2000. Town House. ISBN 9781860591341.
• Heaney, Marie, ed. (2004). Sunday Miscellany:A Selection from 2003 and 2004. Town House. ISBN 9781860592300.
• Ní Anluain, Clíodhna, ed. (2006). Sunday Miscellany:A Selection from 2004-2006. New Island Books. ISBN 9781905494132.
• Heaney, Marie, ed. (2009). A Treasury of Sunday Miscellany. New Island Books. ISBN 978-1848400504.
• Ní Anluain, Clíodhna, ed. (2013). September Sundays:As Heard on Sunday Miscellany. New Island Books. ISBN 9781848402782.
• Ní Anluain, Clíodhna, ed. (2019). Miscellany 50:Fifty Years of Sunday Miscellany. New Island Books. ISBN 9781848407473.
• Binchy, Sarah, ed. (2023). Sunday Miscellany:A Selection, 2018-2023. New Island Books. ISBN 9781848409040.