What's on the box this week?

'The Big Story' (RTE 1, Friday, 8.30pm) - Series two of 'The Big Story' features more Irish journalists discussing the major stories of their careers. Stories like Conor O'Clery's eyewitness account of the attcks of 9/11, Mary Raftery on clerical abuse in Irish institutional care homes, Paul Kimmage on sporting scandals, and Shane Ross on banking and economic scandals. Their stories offer a unique slant on Irish and international news gathering both past and present and the journalistic attitudes that help shape them. In this first episode, veteran reporter Conor O'Clery recalls his balcony-view of the twin towers on the morning of 9/11. He was working in New York on a financial column for the Irish Times, but soon became a witness to tragedy as two jets crashed into the skyscrapers, eventually killing 3,000 trapped people. After over 30 years as a foreign correspondent reporting from China, Afghanistan and some of the most dangerous spots on the planet, O'Clery was suddenly reporting live on the biggest story of his life. ____________________________________________________________ 'Cracking Antiques' (BBC 2, Wednesday, 8.30pm) - 'Cracking Antiques' is on a myth-busting mission to prove that people can add style and glamour to any type of home by investing in antique, vintage and retro furnishings, without breaking the bank. Presented by interior designer Kathryn Rayward and antiques expert Mark Hill, the series shows that antique and vintage objects are often a better-made, more stylish and cheaper alternative than much of what the high street has to offer. Each week, Mark and Kathryn will be on hand to guide a novice second-hand shopper through the dos and don'ts of buying old and help to create a truly unique room. _____________________________________________________________ 'Fleadh Cheoil' (RTE 1, Friday, 7.30pm) - It has become one of the biggest and longest-running free music festivals in the world - a gig that originally began when few hundred traditional music followers attended the first Fleadh Cheoil in Mullingar in 1951. Last summer, thousands from all over the world were back in the midlands, this time in Tullamore. The programme features well-known singer John Spillane singing '"ro sé do bheatha bhaile', the groups Caladh Nua from the south-east and Goitse, who are made up of students from Limerick University, as well as all the colour and excitement from the opening parade and a world record attempt at the biggest music session. ___________________________________________________________ 'Vows Of Silence' (RTE 1, Sunday, 10.25pm) - An anatomy of the Vatican justice system following the haunting saga of Fr Marcial Maciel, who won the favour of Pope John Paul II despite years of paedophilia accusations. The greatest fundraiser of the modern church, Maciel founded the Legionaries of Christ, a religious order with a $650 million budget and history of controversial tactics. The film tracks 1998 abuse charges against Maciel filed with Cardinal Ratzinger. The Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, tries to abort the case. In 2004, with Pope John Paul II dying, Ratzinger takes action. The film follows a secret investigator as witnesses testify about Maciel's sexual abuse, psychological tyranny and the secret vows he imposed to secure Legionaries' silence. A former Vatican official breaks his silence in an interview criticising the Legion's cult-like atmosphere. As the evidence mounts, Ratzinger, as Pope Benedict XVI, must decide the price of justice. ___________________________________________________________ 'Joanna Lumley's Nile' (ITV, Monday, 9pm) - A new four-part factual series sees the former 'Ab Fab' gal travel the length of the River Nile from mouth to source. This epic journey, seen through the eyes of one of Britain's most treasured stars, encompasses the rich, varied history and contemporary daily life of the world's longest river. From the relative luxury of Egypt and the searing heat of Sudan to the lush landscape of Ethiopia and the jungles of Rwanda, sumptuous shots of the richly varied territories coupled with Lumley's engaging manner and interaction with everyone she meets bring this rare expedition vividly to life. In this first episode, she begins her epic Nile adventure on an Egyptian fishing boat. The Egyptian coast is actually the end of the Nile but the start of her 4,000 mile journey south, through five different countries, to reach this mighty river's source. ___________________________________________________________ Movie Of The Week: 'Run, Fat Boy, Run' (Channel 4, Saturday, 9pm) - A chunky, clueless guy leaves his pregnant fiancée on their wedding day only to discover, five years later, that she is his one true love. But, in order to win back her heart, he looks to finish his first marathon while making her realise her new man is the wrong guy for her. Simon Pegg and Thandie Newton star.