The Den (TV programme): Difference between revisions

*The Den*
The Den
	The Den 2005 logo
Also known as	Dempsey's Den (1986–1990); The Den (1990-1993); Den TV (1993-1998); Den 2 (1998–2002); The Den (2002–2010, 2020)
Presented by	Ian Dempsey (1986–1990); Ray D'Arcy (1990–98, 2020–); Damien McCaul (1998–2003); Francis Boylan, Jnr (2003–05); Kathryn McKiernan (2005–2010)
Starring	Aunt Monica, Dustin the Turkey, Snotser, Soky, Zig and Zag, Zuppy
Country of origin	Ireland
Original language	English
No. of episodes	Over 5,000
Production
Production location	Dublin
Production company	Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)
Original release
Network	RTÉ One (1986–88, 2020); RTÉ Two (1988–2010)
Release	29 September 1986 –; 20 December 2020
Related
	2Phat, Anything Goes, A Scare at Bedtime, Dustin's Daily News, Echo Island, Jo Maxi, The Podge and Rodge Show

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The Den was a long-running children's television strand of Ireland's public broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. First broadcast on 29 September 1986 on RTÉ1, it moved to Network 2 two years later. Initially a continuity strand for weekday afternoon programmes, The Den later expanded during the late 1990s and the 2000s until it became synonymous with RTÉ's children's output. At various times during its run, it was known as Dempsey's Den, Den TV and Den2.^[2]

In mid-2010, RTÉ Television announced an overhaul of its children's output, with the launch of RTÉjr and TRTÉ.^[3] The Den aired for the last time on 19 September 2010.^[4] It returned for six weeks from November 2020.

Overview

The Den is considered to have pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable viewing for children and young people, often employing irreverent and occasionally satirical humour within its continuity links. It also introduced anthropomorphic puppet characters to Irish culture, including Zig and Zag, Podge and Rodge, Soky the Sock Monster, and Dustin the Turkey.^[5] Zig and Zag later transferred to Channel 4, Podge and Rodge moved onto adult comedy programming on RTÉ (including their own talk show), and Dustin represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest.

In later years, The Den took up much of Network 2's schedule, airing for over 11 hours each weekday and on weekend mornings. It also acquired a reputation for airing new episodes of imported shows before other television networks in Europe. There were no commercial breaks during shows on The Den, although there were commercial breaks between shows.

Broadcast history

Following on from the success of a Children's BBC strand in the UK, RTÉ launched its own strand for children's programming, Dempsey's Den, on 29 September 1986. Initially it was a two-hour strand each weekday afternoon on RTÉ 1 featuring nearly all of the broadcaster's youth output (the main exceptions being Bosco and Jo Maxi).

Taking a cue from CBBC's Broom Cupboard format, Dempsey's Den was broadcast live from a tiny, single-camera presentation studio at RTÉ Television Centre, used mostly for in-vision continuity. Upon its move to Network 2 in September 1988, Dempsey's Den gained an extra hour of airtime each weekday.

Ian Dempsey fronted the strand until the summer of 1990, although he continued to present the music feature Pop Goes the Den for a number of years. Ray D'Arcy took over The Den from 1990 to 1998, followed by Damien McCaul (1998-2003), Francis Boylan Jr (2003-2005) and Kathryn McKiernan (2005-2008).

1986–1998

The Den launched as Dempsey's Den in 1986, with Ian Dempsey as presenter. He was joined by Zig and Zag in 1987. They were joined by Dustin the turkey in December 1989, after Zag won Dustin in a golf tournament.

The Den format changed little over its first decade on air. It generally consisted of several cartoons and music videos, at least one RTÉ production, a daily birthday slot, and on certain days of the week, a viewers' quiz. Occasional features included location inserts, interviews and sketches.

In September 1990, following Ian Dempsey's departure, Ray D'Arcy became the presenter, and the programme was relaunched under the name The Den. In September 1993, the name was changed to Den TV.

The studio set changed frequently. Themes included Number 10 Celebrity Square (in which Dustin set up a chip van for a period) (1992-1993), a building site, a treehouse (1995-1996), a caravan (1996-1997), a smelly shed (1997-1998), a big bus (1998-1999), a hair salon called On The Noggin (1999-2000) and a spaceship.^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12]^[13]^[14]^[1]^[15]^[16]^[17] The presenter tended to sit behind a desk (or counter in the chip-van), with any puppets perched between the desk and the camera.

In September 1992 Zig and Zag joins Channel 4's The Big Breakfast in the UK and they left The Den after the 1992-1993 season to spend more time appearing live on British television. Shortly into the 1993-1994 season, Dustin neglected to do the laundry for so long that the smelly socks in the linen bin at the back of the set eventually came to life in the form of Soky the sock monster.

D'Arcy's last broadcast was on Friday 29 May 1998.^[18]

1998–2005

In September 1998, the Den was relaunched under the name Den 2, with Damien McCaul taking over as presenter. A morning show, presented by Geri Maye (joined by Soky) was launched for the first time. A further strand aimed at older children, iD, aired from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Den 2 was broadcast continuously from morning to evening, but in-vision continuity was confined to the morning and afternoon strands.

As Den 2, the programme launched a website in October 1999.^[19] In 2003, the strand gained its own daily news bulletin, news2day, similar in format to the BBC's Newsround.

The programme's name changed to The Den in 2002.^[20]

Damien McCaul left the presenter's role at the end of the 2002-2003 season and was replaced by Francis Boylan Jr in September 2003.^[21] Boylan remained as presenter until June 2005.^[22]

2005–2010

The Den was revamped again on 17 September 2005 with a new graphics package designed by Dunning Elley Joans (now Dunning Penny Joans). By now, the strand had been split into several daily shows, including Wakey Wakey, Den Tots and The Club, alongside the existing news2day bulletin at 5 pm.^[23] This final revamp removed much of the cast (bar Dustin, Soky, Charly and Zuppy), with Dustin moving to his own programme, Dustin's Daily News. It also refocused the breakfast slot away from pre-school children and towards older viewers, with one continuity presenter, Kathryn McKiernan, fronting both morning and afternoon shows.

In September 2008, the separate shows were axed and in-vision presentation was replaced with out-of-vision announcements.

The Den ceased in September 2010 when RTÉ launched two new strands for its children's output: RTÉjr and TRTÉ.^[3]^[4]

2020

Following a popular Comic Relief special reunion episode in June 2020, on 22 September 2020, RTÉ confirmed the return of The Den as a new weekend family show, reuniting Ray D'Arcy with Zig and Zag and Dustin the Turkey. The show returned on 8 November 2020 and ran for six episodes including a Christmas Special, airing on Sundays. The show was aired on RTÉ One, whereas previously, the slot was on RTÉ 2.^[24]

Special episodes

Christmas 1988: Dempsey's Den go to Santaland: The first Christmas special. The gang travel to Santaland.
Christmas 1991: Must go to Moscow: The gang travel to Moscow.
Christmas 1991: Turn on the Christmas lights at Dublin Airport: Ray D'Arcy, Zig and Zag travel to Dublin Airport to turn on the Christmas lights.
October 1992: The Den goes Disney: The gang travel to Euro Disney.
Christmas 1992: The Christmas Crisis: Podge breaks into Number 10 Celebrity Square, steals a gift of aftershave meant for Ray D'Arcy's mother and breaks D'Arcy's clock, and frames Zig. The episode culminates in a trip to Lapland to save Santa, who has been kidnapped by Podge.
Christmas 1993: Together for Xmas: Zig and Zag return to the show on the occasion of a Swiss chocolate being made in Zag's likeness. Zag has become self-obsessed since becoming a celebrity in the UK, and is led on a journey of self-realisation.
1996: The Den is 10: A reunion episode celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Den.
Christmas 1996: Christmas Crisis 2: Zig and Zag return again for a Christmas gathering with the gang at Cranberry Lodge, 10 Celebrity Hill. Over the course of the evening, Podge and Rodge conspire to kidnap each guest, one by one.
Halloween 1997: Halloween on the Den: Podge and Rodge trick Dustin into thinking he has won the Irish presidential election, and lure him to a house that they convince him is Áras an Uachtarán, where they plan to kidnap the gang and take over the Den.
Christmas 1998: The Den Christmas Special: The gang travel to New York to find a Mr Blue Bucket with removable arms for Soky for Christmas.
Halloween Special (2003?): Presenter gets turned into a bird at a haunted house and Dustin tells him to keep his feathers on.
June 2020: Comic Relief Special

Presenters

Presenter^[25]	Period
Ian Dempsey	1986–1990
Ray D'Arcy	1990–1998, 2020^[1]
Damien McCaul	1998–2003^[21]
Francis Boylan, Jnr	2003–2005
Kathryn McKiernan	2005–2010

Assistants

Ciara Carroll served as a regular assistant during D'Arcy's time as presenter.^[1] She would arrive at the studio to announce new competitions, provide observations from behind the camera and her laughter could often be heard in the background as Zig and Zag accused her of being responsible for breaking wind. She would also include herself during many other features throughout the day. During the Dempsey years, The Den assistant was Celine, who would later present Jo Maxi when D'Arcy departed that programme to succeed Ian Dempsey.

In its latter years, The Den remained on air during the summer, either using temporary cover presenters (Aidan Power, Aoileann Garavaglia, etc.) or with no presenter-led continuity.

Home-produced programming

These included programming such as Echo Island, The Grip and The Works.

Revivals

On 27 October 2008, a compilation episode, Best Bitz From Back Den, was broadcast on RTÉ One. The episode featured clips dating back to Zig and Zag's origins on The Den. It was compiled to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Zig and Zag. It was released on DVD a month later. Presenters D'Arcy and Dempsey featured heavily in the special. Other highlights included assaults perpetrated by Ted (a malicious panda) on the presenters, Christmas specials of The Den, footage of other characters such as Captain Joke, Captain Pillowcase and Cousin Nigel, and the 1989 Irish Film and Television awards at which Zig and Zag "accidentally" mistook then Taoiseach Albert Reynolds for actor Burt Reynolds and addressed him as "your majesty".^[26]^[27]

On 14 November 2008, an edition of The Ray D'Arcy Show (then of Today FM) aired live from Vicar Street in Dublin, reflecting on the formative years of The Den from 1986 - 1994.^[28]

On 8 November 2009, a compilation episode, Dustin: 20 Years a Pluckin', was broadcast on RTÉ One. It was also released on DVD. It was compiled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dustin the Turkey.^[29]

The Den returned for a Comic Relief charity special on 26 June 2020.^[30]^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "From left to right; Don Conroy, Soky, programme presenter Ray D'Arcy, Zuppy, Ciara Carroll and Dustin". Archived from the original on 11 April 2015.
^ "The Den 2 Presenters – Where Are They Now?". Lovin.ie.
^ ^a ^b "The New Season on RTÉ Television". RTÉ Press Office. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010. [...] RTÉ Television will soon be announcing [...] the launch of two completely new schedules of Young People's programmes in September. This [...] will be broadcast in two brand new channel blocks, commissioned to cater specifically for [...] the nation's younger viewers as they develop from pre-school through to teens.
^ ^a ^b McGreevy, Ronan (13 September 2010). "RTÉ overhauls children's TV schedule". The Irish Times. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
^ ^a ^b "'The reason it worked is because RTÉ had feck all involvement': Dustin on The Den's reunion and the show's popularity". The Journal. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
^ "Mary Robinson on The Den". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
^ The Den set 1990-1991
^ The Den set 1991-1992
^ The Den set 1992-1993
^ The Den set 1992-1993
^ The Den set 1993-1994
^ The Den set 1994-1995
^ "The presenting team that worked on RTÉ Television's young people's programme 'Den TV' in studio in November 1994". Archived from the original on 11 April 2015.
^ The Den treehouse set 1995-1996
^ The Den caravan set 1996-1997
^ "The presenting team that worked on RTÉ Television's young people's programme 'Den TV' in studio on 18 September 1996". Archived from the original on 11 April 2015.
^ The Den smelly shed set 1997-1998
^ "Dustin in need of fresh foil as Darcy deserts 'The Den'". The Irish Times. 23 May 1998. ...next Friday is Ray Darcy's last day in The Den...
^ "RTÉ broadcaster Liz Bonnin posing with Dustin the puppet turkey and a computer monitor in a publicity shot to launch the 'Den 2' website in October 1999". Archived from the original on 25 March 2023.
^ "RTE's Autumn TV Schedule Announced | The Irish Film & Television Network". www.iftn.ie.
^ ^a ^b "Talent search for new Den presenter". RTÉ. 26 May 2003. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2003. Damien McCaul has spent five years in the Den chair, helped along by Dustin and Soky and is due to step down at the end of May.
^ "'The Den' ends after 24 madcap years". independent.
^ RTÉ Guide, 17–23 September 2005 edition and subsequent dates
^ "Den and now: Ray, Dustin and Zig & Zag to reunite". 22 September 2020 – via www.rte.ie. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ "From left to right are; Ian Dempsey, Ray D'Arcy, Damien McCaul and Francis Boylan - all four were former presenters of RTÉ Television's 'The Den'". Archived from the original on 11 April 2015.
^ Whitington, Paul (25 October 2008). "The Bourne Supremacy". Irish Independent. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
^ Neville, Sarah (21 October 2008). "Zig and Zag return to TV for 21st anniversary". Evening Herald. Retrieved 21 October 2008.
^ "Ray Re-unites with Zig and Zag!". Today FM. Archived from the original on 1 November 2008. Retrieved 15 November 2008.
^ Stacey, Pat (9 November 2009). "Dustin's endurance prove he's no turkey". Evening Herald. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
^ Neill, Bronwyn O. (12 June 2020). "The Den is set to return for RTE Does Comic Relief!". EVOKE.ie.

External links

Podge and Rodge early soundbites

[1995_photograph-1] "From left to right; Don Conroy, Soky, programme presenter Ray D'Arcy, Zuppy, Ciara Carroll and Dustin". Archived from the original on 11 April 2015.

[2] "The Den 2 Presenters – Where Are They Now?". Lovin.ie.

[new_season_2010-3] "The New Season on RTÉ Television". RTÉ Press Office. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010. [...] RTÉ Television will soon be announcing [...] the launch of two completely new schedules of Young People's programmes in September. This [...] will be broadcast in two brand new channel blocks, commissioned to cater specifically for [...] the nation's younger viewers as they develop from pre-school through to teens.

[times_2010_overhaul-4] McGreevy, Ronan (13 September 2010). "RTÉ overhauls children's TV schedule". The Irish Times. Retrieved 13 September 2010.

[TheJournal-5] "'The reason it worked is because RTÉ had feck all involvement': Dustin on The Den's reunion and the show's popularity". The Journal. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.

[6] "Mary Robinson on The Den". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 27 February 2021.

[7] The Den set 1990-1991

[8] The Den set 1991-1992

[9] The Den set 1992-1993

[10] The Den set 1992-1993

[11] The Den set 1993-1994

[12] The Den set 1994-1995

[13] "The presenting team that worked on RTÉ Television's young people's programme 'Den TV' in studio in November 1994". Archived from the original on 11 April 2015.

[14] The Den treehouse set 1995-1996

[15] The Den caravan set 1996-1997

[16] "The presenting team that worked on RTÉ Television's young people's programme 'Den TV' in studio on 18 September 1996". Archived from the original on 11 April 2015.

[17] The Den smelly shed set 1997-1998

[18] "Dustin in need of fresh foil as Darcy deserts 'The Den'". The Irish Times. 23 May 1998. ...next Friday is Ray Darcy's last day in The Den...

[19] "RTÉ broadcaster Liz Bonnin posing with Dustin the puppet turkey and a computer monitor in a publicity shot to launch the 'Den 2' website in October 1999". Archived from the original on 25 March 2023.

[20] "RTE's Autumn TV Schedule Announced | The Irish Film & Television Network". www.iftn.ie.

[mccaul_to_step_down-21] "Talent search for new Den presenter". RTÉ. 26 May 2003. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2003. Damien McCaul has spent five years in the Den chair, helped along by Dustin and Soky and is due to step down at the end of May.

[22] "'The Den' ends after 24 madcap years". independent.

[23] RTÉ Guide, 17–23 September 2005 edition and subsequent dates

[24] "Den and now: Ray, Dustin and Zig & Zag to reunite". 22 September 2020 – via www.rte.ie. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

[25] "From left to right are; Ian Dempsey, Ray D'Arcy, Damien McCaul and Francis Boylan - all four were former presenters of RTÉ Television's 'The Den'". Archived from the original on 11 April 2015.

[26] Whitington, Paul (25 October 2008). "The Bourne Supremacy". Irish Independent. Retrieved 25 October 2008.

[27] Neville, Sarah (21 October 2008). "Zig and Zag return to TV for 21st anniversary". Evening Herald. Retrieved 21 October 2008.

[28] "Ray Re-unites with Zig and Zag!". Today FM. Archived from the original on 1 November 2008. Retrieved 15 November 2008.

[29] Stacey, Pat (9 November 2009). "Dustin's endurance prove he's no turkey". Evening Herald. Retrieved 9 November 2009.

[30] Neill, Bronwyn O. (12 June 2020). "The Den is set to return for RTE Does Comic Relief!". EVOKE.ie.

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 {{Use Hiberno-English|date=December 2014}}
 {{Infobox television
-| image                    = The Den 2005 logo.png
+| image                = The Den 2005 logo.png
-| image_size               = 200px
+| image_size           = 200
-| caption                  = The Den 2005 logo
+| caption              = The Den 2005 logo
-| alt_name                 = ''Dempsey's Den'' (1986–90)<br/> ''Den TV'' (1990-1997)<br/>''Den2'' (1998–2002)<br/>''The Den'' (2002–2010)
+| alt_name             = ''Dempsey's Den'' (1986–1990)<br/> ''The Den'' (1990-1993)<BR/> ''Den TV'' (1993-1998)<br/>''Den 2'' (1998–2002)<br/>''The Den'' (2002–2010, 2020)
-| creator                  =
+| creator              =
-| developer                =
+| developer            =
-| writer                   =
+| writer               =
-| director                 =
+| director             =
-| creative_director        =
+| creative_director    =
-| presenter                = [[Ian Dempsey]] (1986–90)<br/>[[Ray D'Arcy]] (1990–98, 2020–)<ref name=1995_photograph/><br/>[[Damien McCaul (presenter)|Damien McCaul]] (1998–2003)<br/>Francis Boylan, Jnr (2003–05)<br/> Kathryn McKiernan (2005–2010)
+| presenter            = [[Ian Dempsey]] (1986–1990)<br/>[[Ray D'Arcy]] (1990–98, 2020–)<ref name=1995_photograph/><br/>[[Damien McCaul (presenter)|Damien McCaul]] (1998–2003)<br/>Francis Boylan, Jnr (2003–05)<br/> Kathryn McKiernan (2005–2010)
-| starring                 = Aunt Monica, [[Dustin the Turkey]], [[Snotser]], [[Soky]], [[Zig and Zag (puppets)|Zig and Zag]], [[Zuppy]]
+| starring             = Aunt Monica, [[Dustin the Turkey]], [[Snotser]], [[Soky]], [[Zig and Zag (puppets)|Zig and Zag]], [[Zuppy]]
-| voices                   =
+| voices               =
-| narrated                 =
+| narrated             =
-| theme_music_composer     =
+| theme_music_composer =
-| opentheme                =
+| opentheme            =
-| endtheme                 =
+| endtheme             =
-| composer                 =
+| composer             =
-| country                  = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
+| country              = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
-| language                 = English
+| language             = English
-| num_seasons              = <!-- or num_series -->
+| num_seasons          = <!-- or num_series -->
-| num_episodes             = Over 5,000
+| num_episodes         = Over 5,000
-| list_episodes            =
+| list_episodes        =
-| executive_producer       =
+| executive_producer   =
-| producer                 =
+| producer             =
-| editor                   =
+| editor               =
-| location                 = Dublin
+| location             = Dublin
-| cinematography           =
+| cinematography       =
-| camera                   =
+| camera               =
-| runtime                  =
+| runtime              =
-| company                  = [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]] (RTÉ)
+| company              = [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]] (RTÉ)
+| channel              = [[RTÉ One]] (1986–88, 2020)<br/>[[RTÉ Two]] (1988–2010)
-| distributor              =
+| first_aired          = {{Start date|1986|9|29|df=y}}
-| channel                  = [[RTÉ One]] (1986–88, 2020)<br/>[[RTÉ Two]] (1988–2010)
-| picture_format           = [[PAL]] I standard
+| last_aired           = {{End date|2020|12|20|df=y}}
+| related              = ''[[2Phat]]'', ''[[Anything Goes (Irish TV series)|Anything Goes]]'', ''[[A Scare at Bedtime]]'', ''[[Dustin's Daily News]]'', ''[[Echo Island]]'', ''[[Jo Maxi]]'', ''[[The Podge and Rodge Show]]''
-| audio_format             =
-| first_run                =
-| first_aired              = {{start date|1986|9|29|df=y}}
-| last_aired               = 2020
-| related                  = ''[[2Phat]]'', ''[[Anything Goes (Irish TV series)|Anything Goes]]'', ''[[A Scare at Bedtime]]'', ''[[Dustin's Daily News]]'', ''[[Echo Island]]'', ''[[Jo Maxi]]'', ''[[The Podge and Rodge Show]]''
 }}
-'''''The Den''''' is a long-running popular children's television strand of [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]'s public broadcaster [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]]. First broadcast on 29 September 1986 on [[RTÉ1]], it moved to [[Network 2]] two years later. Initially a continuity strand for weekday afternoon programmes, ''The Den'' later expanded during the late 1990s and the 2000s until it became synonymous with [[RTÉ Young People's Programming|RTÉ's children's output]]. At various times during its run, it was known as ''Dempsey's Den'', ''Den TV'' and ''Den2''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lovin.ie/news/feature/the-den-2-presenters-where-are-they-now|title=The Den 2 Presenters – Where Are They Now?|website=Lovin.ie}}</ref>
+'''''The Den''''' was a long-running children's television strand of [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]'s public broadcaster [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]]. First broadcast on 29 September 1986 on [[RTÉ1]], it moved to [[Network 2]] two years later. Initially a continuity strand for weekday afternoon programmes, ''The Den'' later expanded during the late 1990s and the 2000s until it became synonymous with [[RTÉ Young People's Programming|RTÉ's children's output]]. At various times during its run, it was known as ''Dempsey's Den'', ''Den TV'' and ''Den2''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lovin.ie/news/feature/the-den-2-presenters-where-are-they-now|title=The Den 2 Presenters – Where Are They Now?|website=Lovin.ie}}</ref>
 In mid-2010, RTÉ Television announced an overhaul of its children's output, with the launch of [[RTÉjr]] and [[TRTÉ]].<ref name=new_season_2010/> ''The Den'' aired for the last time on 19 September 2010.<ref name=times_2010_overhaul/> It returned for six weeks from November 2020.
 ==Overview==
-''The Den'' is considered to have pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable viewing for children and young people, often employing irreverent and occasionally satirical humour within its continuity links. It also introduced [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] [[puppet]] characters to Irish culture, including [[Zig and Zag (puppets)|Zig and Zag]], [[Podge and Rodge]], [[List of The Den cast members#Soky|Socky the Sock Monster]], and [[Dustin the Turkey]].<ref name="TheJournal"/> Zig and Zag later transferred to [[Channel 4]], Podge and Rodge moved onto adult comedy programming on RTÉ (including [[The Podge and Rodge Show|their own talk show]]), while Dustin ran for [[President of Ireland|President]] and achieved global notoriety by representing [[Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest]].
+''The Den'' is considered to have pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable viewing for children and young people, often employing irreverent and occasionally satirical humour within its continuity links. It also introduced [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] [[puppet]] characters to Irish culture, including [[Zig and Zag (puppets)|Zig and Zag]], [[Podge and Rodge]], [[List of The Den cast members#Soky|Soky the Sock Monster]], and [[Dustin the Turkey]].<ref name="TheJournal"/> Zig and Zag later transferred to [[Channel 4]], Podge and Rodge moved onto adult comedy programming on RTÉ (including [[The Podge and Rodge Show|their own talk show]]), and Dustin represented [[Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest]].
-In later years, ''The Den'' took up much of Network 2's schedule, airing for over 11 hours each weekday and on weekend mornings. It also acquired a reputation for airing new episodes of imported shows before other television networks in Europe. There were no ad breaks during shows on The Den.
+In later years, ''The Den'' took up much of Network 2's schedule, airing for over 11 hours each weekday and on weekend mornings. It also acquired a reputation for airing new episodes of imported shows before other television networks in Europe. There were no commercial breaks during shows on ''The Den'', although there were commercial breaks between shows.
-It aired a lot of shows from around the world.
 ==Broadcast history==
 [[File:D'Arcy, Dustin, Mary, Zag & Zig in a classic Den photo.jpg|thumb|[[President of Ireland]] [[Mary Robinson]] makes a live appearance on ''The Den'' in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2015/1126/749472-mary-robinson-on-the-den/|title=Mary Robinson on The Den|website=RTÉ Archives|access-date=27 February 2021}}</ref>]]
-Following on from the success of a [[Children's BBC]] strand in the UK, RTÉ launched its own bespoke strand for children's programming, ''Dempsey's Den'' in September 1986 – initially as a two-hour strand each weekday afternoon on [[RTÉ 1]] and featuring nearly all of the broadcaster's youth output (the main exceptions being ''[[Bosco (TV series)|Bosco]]'' and ''[[Jo Maxi]]'').
+Following on from the success of a [[Children's BBC]] strand in the UK, RTÉ launched its own strand for children's programming, ''Dempsey's Den'', on 29 September 1986. Initially it was a two-hour strand each weekday afternoon on [[RTÉ 1]] featuring nearly all of the broadcaster's youth output (the main exceptions being ''[[Bosco (TV series)|Bosco]]'' and ''[[Jo Maxi]]'').
-Taking a cue from CBBC's ''Broom Cupboard'' format, ''Dempsey's Den'' was broadcast live from a tiny, single-camera Presentation studio at [[RTÉ Television Centre]], used mostly for in-vision continuity. Upon its move to [[Network 2]] in September 1988, ''Dempsey's Den'' gained an extra hour of airtime each weekday.
+Taking a cue from CBBC's ''Broom Cupboard'' format, ''Dempsey's Den'' was broadcast live from a tiny, single-camera presentation studio at [[RTÉ Television Centre]], used mostly for in-vision continuity. Upon its move to [[Network 2]] in September 1988, ''Dempsey's Den'' gained an extra hour of airtime each weekday.
-[[Ian Dempsey]] fronted the strand until the summer of 1990, although he continued to present the music feature ''Pop Goes the Den'' for a number of years. [[Ray D'Arcy]] took over ''The Den'' until 1998, and was later replaced by [[Damien McCaul (presenter)|Damien McCaul]] and in 2003, Francis Boylan Jr.
+[[Ian Dempsey]] fronted the strand until the summer of 1990, although he continued to present the music feature ''Pop Goes the Den'' for a number of years. [[Ray D'Arcy]] took over ''The Den'' from 1990 to 1998, followed by [[Damien McCaul (presenter)|Damien McCaul]] (1998-2003), Francis Boylan Jr (2003-2005) and Kathryn McKiernan (2005-2008).
 ===1986–1998===
-[[File:Dempsey's Den 1989 logo.png|thumb|Dempsey's Den logo used in 1989]]
+[[File:Dempsey's Den 1989 logo.png|thumb|Dempsey's Den logo used in 1988-1990]]
-The Den launched as Dempsey's Den in 1986, with Ian Dempsey as presenter. He was joined by Zig and Zag in 1987.
+The Den launched as Dempsey's Den in 1986, with Ian Dempsey as presenter. He was joined by Zig and Zag in 1987. They were joined by Dustin the turkey in December 1989, after Zag won Dustin in a golf tournament.
-The ''Den'' format changed little over its first decade on air – generally consisting of several cartoons and music videos, at least one RTÉ production, a daily ''Birthday Slot'' and on certain days of the week a viewers' quiz. Occasional features included location inserts, interviews and sketches.
+The ''Den'' format changed little over its first decade on air. It generally consisted of several cartoons and music videos, at least one RTÉ production, a daily birthday slot, and on certain days of the week, a viewers' quiz. Occasional features included location inserts, interviews and sketches.
-In September 1990, following Ian Dempsey's departure, Ray D'Arcy became the Den's presenter, and the programme was relaunched under the name Den TV.
+In September 1990, following Ian Dempsey's departure, Ray D'Arcy became the presenter, and the programme was relaunched under the name ''The Den''. In September 1993, the name was changed to ''Den TV''.
-The studio set changed frequently – various themes included No. 10 Celebrity Square (in which Dustin set up a chip van for a period) (1992-1993), a building site, a treehouse (1995-1996), a caravan (1996-1997), a smelly shed (1997-1998),  a big bus (1998-1999), a hair salon called ''On The Noggin'' (1999-2000) and a UFO. <ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXSR_=crde_qhIDrz&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%2524%253ds%3dden%2b1991%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26search%3dsearch%26text_search_context%3dden%2b1991%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den set 1990-1991]</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=7&_IXSR_=a9HgMGXNIBW&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253ds%3dden%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26%2524%253dsort%253d%2524%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%253did_ref%3d%26%257bUPPER%257dcontent_people%3d%26%257bSINGLE%257drte_programme%3d%26%257bUPPER%257drte_programmetype%3d%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d01%252f08%252f1991%26%253ephoto_taken_date_latest%3d01%252f08%252f1992%26%257bSIMPLE%257d%257bSINGLE%257dcollection%3d%26%2524%253dtheskeys%3dy%26%2524%253dkf1%253d%2524%3d%26%2524%253dkv1%253d%2524%3d%26%2524%253dkf2%253d%2524%3d%26%2524%253dkv2%253d%2524%3d%26%2524%253dkf3%253d%2524%3d%26%2524%253dkv3%253d%2524%3d%26text_search_context%3dden&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den set 1991-1992]</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=8&_IXSR_=q_whJN3OCEG&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAX The Den set 1992-1993]</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXSR_=q_whJN3OCEG&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAX The Den set 1992-1993]</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=9&_IXSR_=dJULiYg2dMc&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%2524%253ds%3dden%2b1993%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26search%3dsearch%26text_search_context%3dden%2b1993%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den set 1993-1994]</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXSR_=6mdmxGdi725&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%2524%253ds%3dden%2b1994%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26search%3dsearch%26text_search_context%3dden%2b1994%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den set 1994-1995]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=116&_IXSR_=cOd8jzeIJzb&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26search%3dsearch%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26%2524%253ds%3dthe%2bden%26text_search_context%3dthe%2bden%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft |title=The presenting team that worked on RTÉ Television's young people's programme 'Den TV' in studio in November 1994 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411034833/https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=116&_IXSR_=cOd8jzeIJzb&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3D10&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFIRST_=1&%2Asform=%2Fweb%2Fsearch_forms%2Fadvanced&%24=si%3Dtext&_IXACTION_=query&_IXINITSR_=y&%24=sort%3Dsort%20descending%20sortexpr%20image_sort&search=search&%2Aiexe%20SECURITY_filter=.&%24=s%3Dthe%20den&text_search_context=the%20den&%3Cphoto_taken_date_earliest=&_IXSPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft |archive-date=11 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=21&_IXSR_=RzSz5j2S7KL&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%2524%253ds%3dden%2b1995%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26search%3dsearch%26text_search_context%3dden%2b1995%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den treehouse set 1995-1996]</ref><ref name=1995_photograph/><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=6&_IXSR_=YU7Wbv5YCsX&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%2524%253ds%3dden%2b1996%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26search%3dsearch%26text_search_context%3dden%2b1996%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den caravan set 1996-1997]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=9&_IXSR_=Bl6qFQDFZrs&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26search%3dsearch%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26%2524%253ds%3ddon%2bconroy%26text_search_context%3ddon%2bconroy%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft |title=The presenting team that worked on RTÉ Television's young people's programme 'Den TV' in studio on 18 September 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411024915/https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=9&_IXSR_=Bl6qFQDFZrs&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3D10&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFIRST_=1&%2Asform=%2Fweb%2Fsearch_forms%2Fadvanced&%24=si%3Dtext&_IXACTION_=query&_IXINITSR_=y&%24=sort%3Dsort%20descending%20sortexpr%20image_sort&search=search&%2Aiexe%20SECURITY_filter=.&%24=s%3Ddon%20conroy&text_search_context=don%20conroy&%3Cphoto_taken_date_earliest=&_IXSPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft |archive-date=11 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=4&_IXSR_=4Qw9fwnHZ7k&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%2524%253ds%3dden%2b1997%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26search%3dsearch%26text_search_context%3dden%2b1997%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den smelly shed set 1997-1998]</ref> The presenter tended to sit behind a desk (or counter in the chip-van), with any puppets perched between desk and the locked-off studio camera.
+The studio set changed frequently. Themes included Number 10 Celebrity Square (in which Dustin set up a chip van for a period) (1992-1993), a building site, a treehouse (1995-1996), a caravan (1996-1997), a smelly shed (1997-1998),  a big bus (1998-1999), a hair salon called ''On The Noggin'' (1999-2000) and a spaceship.<ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXSR_=crde_qhIDrz&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%2524%253ds%3dden%2b1991%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26search%3dsearch%26text_search_context%3dden%2b1991%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den set 1990-1991]</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=7&_IXSR_=a9HgMGXNIBW&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253ds%3dden%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26%2524%253dsort%253d%2524%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%253did_ref%3d%26%257bUPPER%257dcontent_people%3d%26%257bSINGLE%257drte_programme%3d%26%257bUPPER%257drte_programmetype%3d%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d01%252f08%252f1991%26%253ephoto_taken_date_latest%3d01%252f08%252f1992%26%257bSIMPLE%257d%257bSINGLE%257dcollection%3d%26%2524%253dtheskeys%3dy%26%2524%253dkf1%253d%2524%3d%26%2524%253dkv1%253d%2524%3d%26%2524%253dkf2%253d%2524%3d%26%2524%253dkv2%253d%2524%3d%26%2524%253dkf3%253d%2524%3d%26%2524%253dkv3%253d%2524%3d%26text_search_context%3dden&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den set 1991-1992]</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=8&_IXSR_=q_whJN3OCEG&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAX The Den set 1992-1993]</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXSR_=q_whJN3OCEG&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAX The Den set 1992-1993]</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=9&_IXSR_=dJULiYg2dMc&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%2524%253ds%3dden%2b1993%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26search%3dsearch%26text_search_context%3dden%2b1993%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den set 1993-1994]</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXSR_=6mdmxGdi725&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%2524%253ds%3dden%2b1994%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26search%3dsearch%26text_search_context%3dden%2b1994%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den set 1994-1995]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=116&_IXSR_=cOd8jzeIJzb&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26search%3dsearch%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26%2524%253ds%3dthe%2bden%26text_search_context%3dthe%2bden%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft |title=The presenting team that worked on RTÉ Television's young people's programme 'Den TV' in studio in November 1994 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411034833/https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=116&_IXSR_=cOd8jzeIJzb&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3D10&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFIRST_=1&%2Asform=%2Fweb%2Fsearch_forms%2Fadvanced&%24=si%3Dtext&_IXACTION_=query&_IXINITSR_=y&%24=sort%3Dsort%20descending%20sortexpr%20image_sort&search=search&%2Aiexe%20SECURITY_filter=.&%24=s%3Dthe%20den&text_search_context=the%20den&%3Cphoto_taken_date_earliest=&_IXSPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft |archive-date=11 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=21&_IXSR_=RzSz5j2S7KL&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%2524%253ds%3dden%2b1995%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26search%3dsearch%26text_search_context%3dden%2b1995%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den treehouse set 1995-1996]</ref><ref name=1995_photograph/><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=6&_IXSR_=YU7Wbv5YCsX&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%2524%253ds%3dden%2b1996%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26search%3dsearch%26text_search_context%3dden%2b1996%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den caravan set 1996-1997]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=9&_IXSR_=Bl6qFQDFZrs&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26search%3dsearch%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26%2524%253ds%3ddon%2bconroy%26text_search_context%3ddon%2bconroy%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft |title=The presenting team that worked on RTÉ Television's young people's programme 'Den TV' in studio on 18 September 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411024915/https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=9&_IXSR_=Bl6qFQDFZrs&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3D10&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFIRST_=1&%2Asform=%2Fweb%2Fsearch_forms%2Fadvanced&%24=si%3Dtext&_IXACTION_=query&_IXINITSR_=y&%24=sort%3Dsort%20descending%20sortexpr%20image_sort&search=search&%2Aiexe%20SECURITY_filter=.&%24=s%3Ddon%20conroy&text_search_context=don%20conroy&%3Cphoto_taken_date_earliest=&_IXSPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft |archive-date=11 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=4&_IXSR_=4Qw9fwnHZ7k&_IXSS_=%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26%2524%253ds%3dden%2b1997%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26search%3dsearch%26text_search_context%3dden%2b1997%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft The Den smelly shed set 1997-1998]</ref> The presenter tended to sit behind a desk (or counter in the chip-van), with any puppets perched between the desk and the camera.
+In September 1992 Zig and Zag joins Channel 4's [[The Big Breakfast]] in the UK and they left The Den after the 1992-1993 season to spend more time appearing live on British television. Shortly into the 1993-1994 season, Dustin neglected to do the laundry for so long that the smelly socks in the linen bin at the back of the set eventually came to life in the form of Soky the sock monster.
 D'Arcy's last broadcast was on Friday 29 May 1998.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/dustin-in-need-of-fresh-foil-as-darcy-deserts-the-den-1.155786|title=Dustin in need of fresh foil as Darcy deserts 'The Den'|work=[[The Irish Times]]|date=23 May 1998|quote=...next Friday is Ray Darcy's last day in The Den...}}</ref>
 ===1998–2005===
+[[File:Den_2_1999_Logo.jpg|thumb|right|Den 2 1998-2002 logo]]
 [[File:Damien McCaul and Dustin the Turkey 1998.jpg|thumb|[[Damien McCaul (presenter)|Damien McCaul]] and [[Dustin the Turkey]] on ''Den2'' after the 1998 relaunch]]
-In September 1998, the Den was relaunched under the name Den 2, with Damien McCaul taking over Ray D'Arcy's role as presenter. A morning show, presented by [[Geri Maye]] (joined by Soky) was launched for the first time. A further strand aimed at older children, ''iD'', aired from 5 pm to 7 pm.
+In September 1998, the Den was relaunched under the name ''Den 2'', with Damien McCaul taking over as presenter. A morning show, presented by [[Geri Maye]] (joined by Soky) was launched for the first time. A further strand aimed at older children, ''iD'', aired from 5 pm to 7 pm.
-Den 2 was broadcast continuously from morning to evening, but in-vision continuity was confined to the morning and afternoon strands.
+''Den 2'' was broadcast continuously from morning to evening, but in-vision continuity was confined to the morning and afternoon strands.
-As ''Den2'', it launched a website in October 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=40&_IXSR_=v3rqtwTFNIz&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26search%3dsearch%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26%2524%253ds%3dthe%2bden%26text_search_context%3dthe%2bden%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft |title=RTÉ broadcaster Liz Bonnin posing with Dustin the puppet turkey and a computer monitor in a publicity shot to launch the 'Den 2' website in October 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411031033/https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=40&_IXSR_=v3rqtwTFNIz&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3D10&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFIRST_=1&%2Asform=%2Fweb%2Fsearch_forms%2Fadvanced&%24=si%3Dtext&_IXACTION_=query&_IXINITSR_=y&%24=sort%3Dsort%20descending%20sortexpr%20image_sort&search=search&%2Aiexe%20SECURITY_filter=.&%24=s%3Dthe%20den&text_search_context=the%20den&%3Cphoto_taken_date_earliest=&_IXSPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft |archive-date=11 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2003, the strand gained its own daily news bulletin, ''[[news2day]]'', similar in format to the BBC's ''[[Newsround]]''.
+As ''Den 2'', the programme launched a website in October 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=1933&_IXSR_=2PbsIatV6WL&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3Dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3D1%26_IXACTION_%3Dquery%26with%2Bimage_sort%3D%252e%26%2524%2Bwith%2Brte_programmetype_th_h%2Bfrom%2B1%252eZZZE%25400Y%2Bto%2B1%252eZZZE%25400Y%257e%3D%252e%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3D&_IXSPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft |title=RTÉ broadcaster Liz Bonnin posing with Dustin the puppet turkey and a computer monitor in a publicity shot to launch the 'Den 2' website in October 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325114905/https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=1933&_IXSR_=2PbsIatV6WL&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3Dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3D1%26_IXACTION_%3Dquery%26with%2Bimage_sort%3D%252e%26%2524%2Bwith%2Brte_programmetype_th_h%2Bfrom%2B1%252eZZZE%25400Y%2Bto%2B1%252eZZZE%25400Y%257e%3D%252e%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3D&_IXSPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft |archive-date=25 March 2023}}</ref> In 2003, the strand gained its own daily news bulletin, ''[[news2day]]'', similar in format to the BBC's ''[[Newsround]]''.
 The programme's name changed to ''The Den'' in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=2019&tpl=archnews&force=1|title=RTE's Autumn TV Schedule Announced &#124; The Irish Film & Television Network|website=www.iftn.ie}}</ref>
@@ Line 84: / Line 82: @@
 ===2005–2010===
-''The Den'' was revamped again on 17 September 2005 with a new graphics package designed by Dunning Elley Joans (now Dunning Penny Joans). By now, the strand had been split into several daily shows, including ''Wakey Wakey'', ''Den Tots'' and ''The Club'', alongside the existing ''news2day'' bulletin at 5 pm.<ref>[[RTÉ Guide]], 17–23 September 2005 edition and subsequent dates</ref> This final revamp removed much of the cast (bar Dustin, Socky, Charly and Zuppy), with the launch of their own programme (''DDN''). It also refocused the breakfast slot away from pre-school children and towards older viewers, with one continuity presenter, Kathryn McKiernan, fronting both morning and afternoon shows. Further changes in September 2008 saw the separate shows axed and in-vision presentation replaced by out-of-vision announcements.
+''The Den'' was revamped again on 17 September 2005 with a new graphics package designed by Dunning Elley Joans (now Dunning Penny Joans). By now, the strand had been split into several daily shows, including ''Wakey Wakey'', ''Den Tots'' and ''The Club'', alongside the existing ''news2day'' bulletin at 5 pm.<ref>[[RTÉ Guide]], 17–23 September 2005 edition and subsequent dates</ref> This final revamp removed much of the cast (bar Dustin, Soky, Charly and Zuppy), with Dustin moving to his own programme, ''Dustin's Daily News''. It also refocused the breakfast slot away from pre-school children and towards older viewers, with one continuity presenter, Kathryn McKiernan, fronting both morning and afternoon shows.
+In September 2008, the separate shows were axed and in-vision presentation was replaced with out-of-vision announcements.
 ''The Den'' ceased in September 2010 when RTÉ launched two new strands for its children's output: [[RTÉjr]] and [[TRTÉ]].<ref name=new_season_2010>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/newseason2010/index.html|title=The New Season on RTÉ Television|publisher=RTÉ Press Office|date=5 August 2010|access-date=5 August 2010|quote=[...] RTÉ Television will soon be announcing [...] the '''launch of two completely new schedules of Young People's programmes in September'''. This [...] will be broadcast in '''two brand new channel blocks''', commissioned to cater specifically for [...] the nation's younger viewers as they develop from pre-school through to teens.}}</ref><ref name=times_2010_overhaul>{{cite news|first=Ronan|last=McGreevy|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0913/breaking38.html|title=RTÉ overhauls children's TV schedule|work=The Irish Times|date=13 September 2010|access-date=13 September 2010}}</ref>
 ===2020===
-On 22 September 2020, RTÉ confirmed the return of ''The Den'' as a new weekend family show, reuniting Ray D'Arcy with Zig and Zag and Dustin the Turkey. The show returned on 8 November 2020 and ran for six episodes, airing on Sundays. The show was aired on RTÉ One, whereas previously, the slot was on RTÉ 2.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2020/0922/1166810-den-and-now-ray-dustin-and-zig-zag-to-reunite/|title=Den and now: Ray, Dustin and Zig & Zag to reunite|date=22 September 2020|via=www.rte.ie}}</ref>
+Following a popular Comic Relief special reunion episode in June 2020, on 22 September 2020, RTÉ confirmed the return of ''The Den'' as a new weekend family show, reuniting Ray D'Arcy with Zig and Zag and Dustin the Turkey. The show returned on 8 November 2020 and ran for six episodes including a Christmas Special, airing on Sundays. The show was aired on RTÉ One, whereas previously, the slot was on RTÉ 2.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2020/0922/1166810-den-and-now-ray-dustin-and-zig-zag-to-reunite/|title=Den and now: Ray, Dustin and Zig & Zag to reunite|date=22 September 2020|via=www.rte.ie}}</ref>
+===Special episodes===
+* Christmas 1988: '''Dempsey's Den go to Santaland''': The first Christmas special. The gang travel to Santaland.
+* Christmas 1991: '''Must go to Moscow''': The gang travel to Moscow.
+* Christmas 1991: '''Turn on the Christmas lights at Dublin Airport''': Ray D'Arcy, Zig and Zag travel to Dublin Airport to turn on the Christmas lights.
+* October 1992: '''The Den goes Disney''': The gang travel to Euro Disney.
+* Christmas 1992: '''The Christmas Crisis''': Podge breaks into Number 10 Celebrity Square, steals a gift of aftershave meant for Ray D'Arcy's mother and breaks D'Arcy's clock, and frames Zig. The episode culminates in a trip to Lapland to save Santa, who has been kidnapped by Podge.
+* Christmas 1993: '''Together for Xmas''': Zig and Zag return to the show on the occasion of a Swiss chocolate being made in Zag's likeness. Zag has become self-obsessed since becoming a celebrity in the UK, and is led on a journey of self-realisation.
+* 1996: '''The Den is 10''': A reunion episode celebrating the 10th anniversary of ''The Den''.
+* Christmas 1996: '''Christmas Crisis 2''': Zig and Zag return again for a Christmas gathering with the gang at Cranberry Lodge, 10 Celebrity Hill. Over the course of the evening, Podge and Rodge conspire to kidnap each guest, one by one.
+* Halloween 1997: '''Halloween on the Den''': Podge and Rodge trick Dustin into thinking he has won the Irish presidential election, and lure him to a house that they convince him is Áras an Uachtarán, where they plan to kidnap the gang and take over the Den.
+* Christmas 1998: '''The Den Christmas Special''': The gang travel to New York to find a Mr Blue Bucket with removable arms for Soky for Christmas.
+* Halloween Special (2003?): Presenter gets turned into a bird at a haunted house and Dustin tells him to keep his feathers on.
+* June 2020: '''Comic Relief Special'''
 ==Presenters==
 {{further|List of The Den cast members}}
 {| class="wikitable"
-|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
 ! Presenter<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=3&_IXSR_=2Mn3vtYAJW3&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3d10%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252ft%26_IXFIRST_%3d1%26%252asform%3d%252fweb%252fsearch_forms%252fadvanced%26%2524%253dsi%3dtext%26_IXACTION_%3dquery%26_IXINITSR_%3dy%26%2524%253dsort%3dsort%2bdescending%2bsortexpr%2bimage_sort%26search%3dsearch%26%252aiexe%2bSECURITY_filter%3d%252e%26%2524%253ds%3ddempsey%2527s%2bden%26text_search_context%3ddempsey%2527s%2bden%26%253cphoto_taken_date_earliest%3d&_IXSPFX_=templates%2ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2ft |title=From left to right are; Ian Dempsey, Ray D'Arcy, Damien McCaul and Francis Boylan - all four were former presenters of RTÉ Television's 'The Den' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411021054/https://stillslibrary.rte.ie/indexplus/result.html?_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXACTION_=query&_IXFIRST_=3&_IXSR_=2Mn3vtYAJW3&_IXSS_=_IXMAXHITS_%3D10&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFIRST_=1&%2Asform=%2Fweb%2Fsearch_forms%2Fadvanced&%24=si%3Dtext&_IXACTION_=query&_IXINITSR_=y&%24=sort%3Dsort%20descending%20sortexpr%20image_sort&search=search&%2Aiexe%20SECURITY_filter=.&%24=s%3Ddempsey%27s%20den&text_search_context=dempsey%27s%20den&%3Cphoto_taken_date_earliest=&_IXSPFX_=templates%2Ft&_IXFPFX_=templates%2Ft |archive-date=11 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> !! Period
 |-
 | [[Ian Dempsey]] || 1986–1990
 |-
-| [[Ray D'Arcy]] || 1990–1998, 2020–present<ref name=1995_photograph/>
+| [[Ray D'Arcy]] || 1990–1998, 2020<ref name=1995_photograph/>
 |-
 | [[Damien McCaul (presenter)|Damien McCaul]] || 1998–2003<ref name=mccaul_to_step_down/>
@@ Line 119: / Line 132: @@
 ==Revivals==
+On 27 October 2008, a compilation episode, ''Best Bitz From Back Den'', was broadcast on [[RTÉ One]]. The episode featured clips dating back to Zig and Zag's origins on ''The Den''. It was compiled to celebrate the 21st anniversary of [[Zig and Zag (puppets)|Zig and Zag]]. It was released on DVD a month later. Presenters D'Arcy and Dempsey featured heavily in the special. Other highlights included assaults perpetrated by Ted (a malicious panda) on the presenters, Christmas specials of ''The Den'', footage of other characters such as Captain Joke, Captain Pillowcase and Cousin Nigel, and the 1989 Irish Film and Television awards at which Zig and Zag "accidentally" mistook then Taoiseach [[Albert Reynolds]] for actor [[Burt Reynolds]] and addressed him as "your majesty".<ref>{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Whitington|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/the-bourne-supremacy-1510144.html|title=The Bourne Supremacy|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=25 October 2008|access-date=25 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Sarah|last=Neville|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/zig-and-zag-return-to-tv-for-21st-anniversary-1504520.html|title=Zig and Zag return to TV for 21st anniversary|newspaper=Evening Herald|date=21 October 2008|access-date=21 October 2008}}</ref>
-On 14 November 2008, an edition of ''[[The Ray D'Arcy Show]]'' (then of [[Today FM]]) aired live from [[Vicar Street]] in [[Dublin]], reflecting on the formative years of ''The Den'' from 1986 - 1994.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.todayfm.com/Article.asp?id=950816 |title=Ray Re-unites with Zig and Zag! |publisher=Today FM |access-date=15 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101063527/http://www.todayfm.com/Article.asp?id=950816 |archive-date=1 November 2008 }}</ref>
+On 14 November 2008, an edition of ''[[The Ray D'Arcy Show]]'' (then of [[Today FM]]) aired live from [[Vicar Street]] in [[Dublin]], reflecting on the formative years of ''The Den'' from 1986 - 1994.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.todayfm.com/Article.asp?id=950816 |title=Ray Re-unites with Zig and Zag! |publisher=Today FM |access-date=15 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101063527/http://www.todayfm.com/Article.asp?id=950816 |archive-date=1 November 2008 }}</ref>
-The television special, ''Best Bitz From Back Den'', returned to Zig and Zag's origins on ''The Den''. Broadcast on [[RTÉ One]] on 27 October 2008, it was compiled to celebrate the 21st anniversary of [[Zig and Zag (puppets)|Zig and Zag]] and released on DVD a month later. Presenters D'Arcy and Dempsey featured heavily in the special; other highlights included assaults perpetrated by Ted - a malicious panda - on the presenters, Christmas specials of ''The Den'',  footage of other characters such as Captain Joke, Captain Pillowcase and Cousin Nigel and Ireland's 1989 Irish Film and Television awards at which Zig and Zag "accidentally" mistook then Taoiseach [[Albert Reynolds]] as actor [[Burt Reynolds]] and addressed him as "your majesty".<ref>{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Whitington|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/the-bourne-supremacy-1510144.html|title=The Bourne Supremacy|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=25 October 2008|access-date=25 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Sarah|last=Neville|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/zig-and-zag-return-to-tv-for-21st-anniversary-1504520.html|title=Zig and Zag return to TV for 21st anniversary|newspaper=Evening Herald|date=21 October 2008|access-date=21 October 2008}}</ref>
-A television special and DVD ''Dustin: 20 Years a Pluckin''' was released in November 2009. Broadcast on [[RTÉ One]] on 8 November 2009, it was compiled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dustin the Turkey.<ref>{{cite news|first=Pat|last=Stacey|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/dustins-endurance-prove-hes-no-turkey-27931076.html|title=Dustin's endurance prove he's no turkey|newspaper=Evening Herald|date=9 November 2009|access-date=9 November 2009}}</ref>
+On 8 November 2009, a compilation episode, ''Dustin: 20 Years a Pluckin''', was broadcast on [[RTÉ One]]. It was also released on DVD. It was compiled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dustin the Turkey.<ref>{{cite news|first=Pat|last=Stacey|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/dustins-endurance-prove-hes-no-turkey-27931076.html|title=Dustin's endurance prove he's no turkey|newspaper=Evening Herald|date=9 November 2009|access-date=9 November 2009}}</ref>
 The Den returned for a [[Comic Relief]] charity special on 26 June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://evoke.ie/2020/06/12/showbiz/tv/the-den-return-comic-relief|title=The Den is set to return for RTE Does Comic Relief!|first=Bronwyn O.|last=Neill|date=12 June 2020|website=EVOKE.ie}}</ref><ref name="TheJournal">
@@ Line 143: / Line 156: @@
 [[Category:The Den (TV programme)| ]]
 [[Category:1986 Irish television series debuts]]
+[[Category:2020 Irish television series endings]]
 [[Category:1980s Irish television series]]
 [[Category:1990s Irish television series]]
@@ Line 150: / Line 164: @@
 [[Category:Irish children's television shows]]
 [[Category:Irish television shows featuring puppetry]]
+[[Category:Television programming blocks in Europe]]

v t e The Den
Programming	Echo Island
Characters	Dustin the Turkey Podge and Rodge Zig and Zag
Related	2Phat A Scare at Bedtime Dustin's Daily News The Once a Week Show