Brendan Gleeson urges RTÉ to add arts slot to Six One News: “I think we need to levitate it in the national conversation”

Brendan Gleeson has called for the arts to be given the same space as sport on RTÉ’s Six One News, saying it could help lift the national conversation.

Speaking to RTÉ, Gleeson said the arts can “make people feel less alone” and should be part of everyday news coverage.

“We’ve been talking about the need to spread good news, news that lets people see there is goodness and kindness in the world,” he said.

“One of the things that can help with all this anxiety is the arts.”

The 70-year-old paid tribute to the late RTÉ broadcaster Sean Rocks, who died in June following a short illness, praising his support for the arts.

Gleeson suggested a regular Six One segment would be a fitting tribute to Rocks and President Michael D. Higgins, who will finish his term this year. “I think we need to levitate it in the national conversation,” he said.

The Dublin-native made the comments while discussing his return to the stage after 10 years in The Weir, directed by playwright Conor McPherson.

The production opens tonight at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre and runs until September 6 before transferring to London’s West End from September 12 to December 6 – marking Gleeson’s West End debut.