Bernard Dunne explores the real stories behind sporting success in brand new RT Radio 1 series Dunne Talking

What is success? How is it achieved? And what does it really cost? These are the central questions behind Dunne Talking, an eight-part radio series hosted by former world champion boxer, Bernard Dunne. The series premieres this Sunday on RT Radio 1 and RT Radio Player at 6pm, taking audiences deep into the personal journeys of some of Ireland's most accomplished athletes.

Each standalone episode of Dunne Talking offers a candid conversation with elite sportspeople who have reached the pinnacle of their respective fields. It delves into the mental and emotional resilience needed to overcome adversity, the sacrifices behind the glory, and the human stories that define success.

Episode One: Kellie Harrington

In Episode One, Bernard chats with Kellie Harrington about her journey from Portland Row, Dublin, to the top of the Olympic podium. Kellie's story is about more than medals and titles, although there are plenty of those. We'll explore the battles that shaped her, the pressure, the setbacks and the mindset required to reach the top and stay there.

Describing life as a young teenager before she started boxing, Kellie tells Bernand, It was chaotic because I made it chaotic, you know, like just as a teenager. Like I say, I love my city but there's a lot going on around you and to get sidetracked is very, very easy. And it's nothing about your upbringing or anything because I have a great mother and father and three smashing brothers and I was just the wild one out of them all.

Speaking about her first fight which ended in defeat, she shares, I bawled my eyes out all the way home, mainly because of my ego because I was after being bashed.

On the difference between her Tokyo win and her Paris win, I dedicated that to Ireland. This time I was dedicating it to myself, you know, because it was not easy to get there. You get to a mountain; you get to the top of that mountain. People want to push you over the edge, you know But to be able to stay strong and then look up to the mountain beside it and climb that mountain next to it, it's bloody hard, you know. It really is hard.

The series will also feature conversations with:

James McCarthy

Mary O'Connor

Jack Woolley

Sonia O'Sullivan

Ellen Keane

Jim Bolger

Niall Quinn

Notes to Editor:

Dunne Talking is a Pegasus Media production for RT , funded by Coimisi n na Me n.

RT Communications: Sharon Sorohan

LINK:	https://about.rte.ie/2025/05/12/bernard-dunne-explores-the-real-storie...
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