‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’ makes festive TV return and so does Ed Sheeran

After topping Christmas viewing in both Ireland and the UK last year, Mrs Brown’s Boys is back for another festive helping.

While many a TV critic scoffed at the inclusion of Mrs Brown’s Boys in the 2011 holiday schedule, the programme has proven a big hit with festive viewers — last year more than 10m tuned in to see Agnes get her tinsel in a twist.

Another clear favourite on RTÉ comes in the form of Ed Sheeran Up Close, with presenter Eoghan McDermott interviewing the ‘Lego House’ singer.

Fresh from his popular appearance on The Late Late Toy Show last week, Sheeran has become a firm favourite in Irish households and no doubt plenty of Irish mammies will be switching over to RTÉ 2 to hear him talk about his life.

One Direction fans will also be looked after in When Ryan met Niall. Ryan Tubridy goes back stage with Niall Horan during One Direction’s sold out stadium tour of America.

Love/Hate star Aidan Gillen will be back on our screens this Christmas, playing the lead role in a three-part drama based on the life of former Taoiseach Charlie Haughey, while Una Foden from The Saturday’s fulfils the Christmas dreams of children and Ray D’Arcy chases celebrity pets in new programme Superstar Dogs.

RTÉ also announced a host of comedy specials, including Callan’s Kicks, Mario Rosenstock and the last ever episode of The Savage Eye.

Yuletide regulars such as The RTÉ Sports Awards and Christmas Carols from Kilkenny are back, while this year’s movie premieres include Skyfall, Argo, Django Unchained, Snow White and the Huntsman, War Horse, Happy Feet 2 and The Dark Knight Rises.

There will also be two separate hour-long specials of Fair City, on Christmas Day and January 4, and a special broadcast from Tom Dunne at Dublin Zoo.

In terms of UK television, ITV plays it safe with Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Downton Abbey, while BBC1 will air a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, Doctor Who and Eastenders, and will also be showing Mrs Brown’s Boys.

On New Year’s Eve, Kathryn Thomas and Paddy McKenna will be ringing in 2015 live on RTÉ 1.

The show will highlight the New Year’s Eve concert in College Green with artists including Kodaline.