Eve Blair to present Your Place And Mine as part of new BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle revamped weekend schedule

BBC Radio Ulster presenters Anna Curran and Eve Blair

BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle is set to refresh its weekend programming with a vibrant new schedule starting in May 2025, featuring both familiar voices and exciting newcomers.

The revamp includes a mix of established favourites and innovative strands designed to cater to a wide range of listener interests, from nostalgic music and local talent to in-depth interviews and lifestyle features.

The changes, effective from Saturday, 10 May 2025, promise to offer “the best company” from early morning to late at night, according to Emma Dunseith, BBC Northern Ireland’s Senior Head of Content Production.

One of the standout changes is the appointment of Eve Blair as the new lead presenter of Your Place And Mine, the long-running Saturday morning programme airing from 8:00 to 9:00am. Blair, a seasoned broadcaster who has helmed The Late Show from Monday to Thursday since 2017, succeeds Anne-Marie McAleese, a Foyle-based presenter who bid farewell to the programme in February after years of dedicated service.

Blair expressed her enthusiasm for the role, saying:

“Your Place and Mine is such a wonderful programme, a really unique show that manages to capture the true essence of our beautiful country and its people. It’s an honour to take over the reins from Anne-Marie McAleese, who brought so much to the show for so many years. I can’t wait to get to know the listeners and hopefully welcome along my Late Show listeners too.”

The Saturday line-up kicks off earlier with Kerry McLean, whose programme will now extend from 6:30 to 8:00am, setting the tone for the day. Following Blair, David Maxwell will present Gardeners’ Corner from 9:00 to 10:00am, while Holly Hamilton takes on Consumer Fightback from 10:00 to 11:00am. The morning rounds out with Saturday With John Toal from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

In the evening, Taylor Johnson joins the station with a brand-new programme airing from 6:00 to 8:00pm.

The first hour will feature nostalgic hits, while the second will spotlight emerging local artists across various genres as part of BBC Introducing. Johnson, a rising star at BBC Radio Ulster, shared his excitement:

“It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to present my own show on BBC Radio Ulster. I feel like I’ve come through the youth academy here at the BBC, having worked on nearly every show on the station! Now, I’ve found my home. It’s very special, I can’t wait to get started and make a difference to a new generation of musicians on this island.”

Saturday evenings will continue with *Neil Martin’s Folk Club* from 8:00 to 10:00 PM, followed by *The Late Show With Mike Edgar* from 10:00 PM to midnight.

Sundays will blend new and familiar elements, with Anna Curran stepping into the spotlight as the host of Sunday With Anna Curran, a lifestyle magazine programme airing from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

The show promises “big interviews and human interest stories,” offering a relaxed and chatty atmosphere.

“Like a lot of people, Sunday is my favourite day of the week. Now I’ve even more reason to enjoy it because I’ll be spending mine in conversation with a brilliant line-up of guests and, of course, our wonderful listeners. The show will be a mix of in-depth interviews, music, and reviews of the Sunday papers in a relaxed and chatty style, which is right up my street!”

The day begins with Kerry McLean easing listeners into Sunday mornings from 6:30 to 8:00am, followed by Sunday Sequence with Audrey Carville from 8:00 to 9:00am. Morning Service and Thought for the Week will now air from 9:00 to 10:00am, leading into a mid-morning “news hour” from 10:00 to 11:00am, focusing on topical stories and news-related discussions.

Later, Sounds Sacred with Richard Yarr holds its traditional 5:00 to 6:00 PM slot, followed by Kintra with Helen Mark and the Ulster-Scots team from 6:00 to 6:30pm. Classical Connections with John Toal airs from 7:00 to 9:00pm, while Sunday With Brian D’Arcy moves to a new late-evening slot from 9:00 to 10:00pm. The weekend closes with Kathy Clugston’s Sunday Club.

Emma Dunseith, BBC Northern Ireland’s Senior Head of Content Production, hailed the revamped schedule as a step forward for the station. “We’re excited about these schedule changes,” she said.

“They include a number of new strands alongside our established programmes. Our listeners will have much to enjoy, whatever their interests. And they’ll have the best BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle company across the weekend from early morning until late at night.”

All programmes will be available to stream on BBC Sounds, ensuring listeners can tune in live or catch up at their convenience on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle.

With Eve Blair, Anna Curran, and Taylor Johnson joining the ranks alongside seasoned presenters like Kerry McLean and John Toal, BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle’s weekend refresh signals a commitment to both tradition and innovation.

Whether it’s celebrating Northern Ireland’s landscapes and people, championing new musical talent, or diving into thought-provoking discussions, the updated schedule aims to keep listeners engaged and entertained throughout the weekend.

As spring approaches, audiences can look forward to a vibrant mix of voices and stories starting 10 May 2025.