RTE's John Creedon feels lucky that he gets to do a job he enjoys as he gets older

RTE's John Creedon has said he considers himself lucky that he has gotten to the stage in his career where he is being asked what kind of projects he really wants to do

John Creedon has opened up about how grateful he is to work on projects he's passionate about as he gets older.

The RTE broadcaster, who has been on airwaves and screens for decades, admitted that in the beginning of his career work was more about what he needed to do instead of what he wanted to do.

Now however, he is getting the chance more and more to work on things that align with his interests.

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As he prepares for the first episode of his new show, Creedon's Musical Atlas of Ireland, to air on RTE One this Sunday, he told RSVP Live about how refreshing it is to be asked what he wants to do and make.

"I would say increasingly, that's what's happening," he said. "It's a wonderful thing. Maybe it's to do with getting older, or people saying, 'he's been around, asking him what does he think?' It's not the first time I've been asked that question, but I'm increasingly being asked.

"Increasingly I'm doing stuff I want to do and I consider myself really lucky, because there are no guarantees in life so to be still standing and to be still doing things I'm mad excited about, I'm like a kid at Christmas."

The new series follows John on a captivating journey to explore how music shapes the identity of Ireland and it delves into the profound impact music has on Irish culture, revealing its unique ability to capture the essence of what it means to be Irish.

"Over the last 15 years I think I've filmed about a dozen series of travelling around Ireland, looking at the culture, at the people at the landscape, all that kind of thing," he said, "My day job is on RTE Radio 1, I present music programmes and I've been doing it on Radio 1 since the late 80s, so I have a big background in music, I've worked with orchestras and opera and jack and folk and funk and hip hop and everything. I've been immersed in music all my life.

"It was put to me, why don't you do a journey around Ireland and give us your thoughts on the evolution of Irish music and how it came about. I put a whole load of ideas up on the table during a brainstorming session and producers took them and kind of wove them into a shape, going in roughly a chronological way."

The programme explores where Irish music started, the different genres of Irish music, the history of trad sessions, where Irish music is going now and more. His exploration extends beyond Ireland’s shores, examining how Irish music has resonated worldwide and inspired artists globally.

With a new book set to come out later this month too, John has been very busy - does he ever take any time to sit down?

"I've always had an enthusiasm, I've always been full of energy," he laughed. "It's all go, and it has been a very busy year really, but a good one. It's stuff that moves me you know?"

The first episode of the three part series will see Irish singer and record producer Iarla O Lionaird guide John through the rich tradition of sean-nos singing, highlighting the influence of the country's landscapes on its songs.

You can watch Creedon's Musical Atlas of Ireland on Sunday 6th of October at 18:30 on RTÉ One.

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