The Late, Late Show
Friday, RTÉ One, 9.35pm
Having built a career as a footballer, manager and pundit, Mick McCarthy joins Ryan Tubridy to talk about his new yet familiar job, and his hopes for the future as his comeback game approaches later this month. Also: In 1992, Lavinia Kerwick made history by being the first person in the State to waive her anonymity in order to speak publicly about her rape. On International Women's Day, Kerwick discusses why we need to support people who have been through similar circumstances, and how we need to talk more openly about consent as a country. Plus: a behind-the-scenes look at Fair City as the 30th anniversary approaches; campaigner Nikki Bradley on raising money for cancer charities; Dublin nurse Aoife McGivney on stopping a bus and performing CPR on the driver until the paramedics arrived at the scene; and music will from Sibéal and Sophie Ellis Bextor.
Gardeners' World
Friday, BBC2, 7pm
Monty Don and his team of horticultural experts return to offer viewers at home more gardening advice, such as how to plant spring flowering perennials for instant impact, and recommendations for planting bare root roses full of fragrance in borders and pots. Monty also begins planning the vegetable garden for the year ahead. Plus, Carol Klein visits Bressingham Gardens’ stunning Winter Garden in Norfolk, where she celebrates the beauty of conifers and discovers their perfect planting partners.
Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2019
Friday, TG4, 7.30pm
From Áras un UachtarÁn, the annual GAA President's awards acknowledge people's outstanding commitment and long service across the club and county network. Presented by Micheál Ó Domhnaill.
Flight MH370 Five Years On: The Mystery Continues
Friday, Channel 5, 9pm
On March 8, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared from radar screens and seemingly vanished off the face of the Earth while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Many theories have since been proffered about its fate and that of the 239 people on board, but nothing concrete has emerged. This documentary charts the search for the aircraft, from teams using hi-tech hydrophones to listen for the black box recorders, to cutting-edge submersibles mapping the ocean floor for clues.
The Ray D'Arcy Show
Saturday, RTÉ One, 9.55pm
Actor, activist and Hollywood whistleblower Rose McGowan talks exclusively to D'Arcy about Harvey Weinstein, the #MeToo movement and her memoir, Brave. Also: Musician David Gray, behind Ireland's biggest selling album ever White Ladder, will be in the studio for a live set, performing old faves as well as songs from his new album, Gold in a Brass Age. Plus: comedian Deirdre O'Kane on being Grand Marshal of this year's St Patrick's Day Parade; rugby legend Tommy Bowe on his Six Nations predictions and life after the game; and villagers from the small Gaeltacht community of Baile an Sceilg, Co Kerry, on their successful campaign to open a new post office.
Sam Warburton: Full Contact
Saturday, BBC1, 11.45pm
The former Wales and British & Irish Lions captain gets his own warts and all documentary as cameras take a look at Warburton’s home life, and there’s a chance to see the making of a rugby star. There are also contributions from Welsh head coach Warren Gatland; acclaimed Ireland star Brian O’Driscoll; England Rugby World Cup-winning ex-coach Clive Woodward; and current Welsh star George North.
The Queen Mum: The Reluctant Queen
Saturday, Channel 5, 9pm
This two-part documentary explores key moments in the queen mother’s life, starting with the tempestuous events of 1936, when she began the year as Duchess of York. However, as the world became obsessed with the abdication of her brother-in-law Edward VIII, her husband George had to take on the throne. She was unexpectedly thrust into the role of queen and became a major support for the unprepared new monarch. Even non-fans of the monarchy, this portrait is very well put together.
Daniel and Majella's USA Road Trip
Sunday, RTÉ One, 9.30pm
Let's face it: our little Emerald Isle was never big enough to handle the Daniel and Majella juggernaut, so it was only a matter of time before they struck out for an even bigger B&B experience – into the great wide open spaces of the good ol' US of A. Daniel's been booked for a gig in North Dakota (obviously they saw his stellar performance in front of the pope in Croke Park last year). So Dan and Maj decide to take the opportunity to turn it into a road trip across the midwest, starting in Chicago and driving across the heartlands in a big ol' RV, of course. This brings added problems, as the couple get lost, are pulled over by US highway cops, and launch into domestic spats on the long journey. And who's gonna clean the toilets? He may not be a household name in the US, but O'Donnell does have more than a few fans stateside, and he'll be meeting quite a few of them. And, obviously, anyone who offers to clean the RV's toilets will get first preference.
Midsomer Murders
Sunday, UTV, 8pm
“Trouble Brewing” might have been a better title as the long-running crime saga returns for a 20th series. A new brewery is opening in Causton on the site of a famously cursed Abbey, and some of the locals are thrilled, while others are up in arms. However, when a man is found boiled to death in one of the vats, the excitement soon turns to horror as DCI Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Winter (Nick Hendrix) investigate. The fact that the recent demise mirrors an execution that took place at the Abbey in 1535 suggests a copycat killer is at large. Joining the regular cast is Annette Badland as new pathologist Dr Fleur Perkins.
Dancing on Ice: The Final
Sunday, UTV/Virgin One, 6pm
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby host the grand final of the skating challenge. Three celebrities and their professional partners remain in the contest, and each pair is challenged to perform a special showcase routine choreographed by Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill. They and fellow judges Ashley Banjo and Jason Gardiner will then pick one of the pairs to be eliminated before the others go on to the final round – performing their own take on Torvill and Dean's signature piece, Ravel's Bolero. Finally, the entire cast of this year's show will return to the ice for one last performance.
Moving Hearts – Celtic Connections
Sunday, TG4, 9.30pm
Dónal Lunny, Davey Spillane, Noel Eccles and their bandmates reunite as traditional folk-rock supergroup Moving Hearts for a special concert recorded last Janaury at the Celtic Connections Festival. In front of a capacity audience gathered at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow, the Celtic rockers perform some of their most memorable tunes.
Arcadia
Sunday, BBC4, 9pm
Ah that green and pleasant land. What could be more engaging than a poetic exploration of the British countryside? Mix vintage clips with music from Portishead's Adrian Utley and Goldfrapp's Will Gregory and the result is this nostalgic flashback to years gone by. Arcadia follows an unnamed protagonist as she journeys through the changing seasons. Footage from across the 20th century includes an Edwardian harvest and fearless children in the 1970s. The soundtrack stitches the clips together beautifully.
Contributing: PA
