Around The World in 80 Gays

Alas listeners - the end is here. This is the final episode of Around The World in 80 Gays for now and maybe forever. Regardless, we've had the pleasure of spending time with some great Irish LGBTQ+ icons and we feel so lucky that we now have this unique audio captured. For this last episode, we pushed the boat out and decided to invite multiple guests on to the podcast. Bertie Ahern dropped in, as did Miriam O’Callaghan, Senator David Norris and the late Gay Byrne even managed to contact us from beyond the beyonds too. Other star turns include Graham Norton, An Taoiseach Leo Vradkar and oh yes - Mario Rosenstock. In this episode Mario talked about his special relationship with his grandmother, his love of George Michael, taking risks and Roy Keane. Thanks to you all for listening and spending time travelling around the world - in 80 gays (+ Marion Rosenstock) with us. Love, Brian and Katherine.

Our main guests last week were writer and performer Eilish O'Carroll and her partner Marian O'Sullivan. We loved chatting to them and reflect on our conversation in this snack side bonus episode. Thanks for listening!

On this week’s episode we are joined by actress, writer and comedian Eilish O’Carroll and her partner Marian O’Sullivan. Eilish starred as Winnie McGoodgan in a show you might have heard of - Mrs. Brown’s Boys - a BAFTA and IFTA award winning production but has performed all over Ireland and the UK - she even did a spin on Dancing with The Stars in 2019. Welcome to the podcast Eilish and Marian!

In the main episode last week, our guest was writer and broadcaster, Brendan Courtney.Go back and have a listen if you missed it and also to all of our past guests this season - James Kavanagh, Wallis Bird, Cassie Delaney and Darren Kennedy to name but a few. In this minisode however, we chat about friendship, why Brian feels some public figures don't come out and how much we love Brendan. Enjoy!

This week we chatted to friend of the podcast - writer and broadcaster, Brendan Courtney. Brendan is also one half of the Lennon Courtney clothing label which he owns with his friend and business partner Sonya Lennon. Plus, they also have their very own podcast cryptically titled The Lennon Courtney Podcast, available everywhere. In this episode, we talked to Brendan about lycra, his new book and meeting Madonna!

In this minisode, Brian and Katherine share their New York stories inspired by our main guest this week, host and broadcaster, Darren Kennedy. Make sure you go back and listen if you missed it. See you next Thursday for another trip around the world in 80 gays and thanks as always, for listening.

Our globe trotting guest this week is TV host, broadcaster, interiors columnist and entrepreneur, Darren Kennedy. Darren joined us from New York for our chat and shared his coming out/letting in story, his Ricky Martin awakening and the gay anthem that gets him on the dance floor every time. Welcome to the podcast Darren Kennedy!

Hello 80 Gayers and welcome to this week's minisode. Our main interview this week was with Thommas Kane Byrne a.k.a TKB. He chatted to us about all sorts including how growing up in the north inner city has influenced his work. This inspired Brian and Katherine to reflect on their childhoods and talk about how geography and the idea of 'home' has left their impressions on them and their work too. Enjoy!

Please note: there were some audio issues with the Brian's mic. We're back after our Christmas and panto break and we couldn't be more delighted to welcome writer, actor and self-described Queen of D1, Thommas Kane Byrne to the 80 Gays village. TKB is an award-winning performer hailing from Dublin's North Inner City and artistic director of Breadline. He is one of the youngest winners of the Stewart Parker award, winning a development bursary for his debut play Say Nothin' to No One. You're going to love this episode. Welcome TKB!

While Katherine and Brian finish up their winter break/work, we're re-releasing the final episode from series 1 of ATWI80G - our chat with the incredible, Mr. Pussy. Mr. Pussy a.k.a Alan Amsby, first came to Ireland in 1969 with the plan to stay for one week but over 50 years later, he’s still here. Since then he has blazed a trail across the drag scene in Ireland, written a book, been on The Late Late Show, performed for Prince and Ronan Keating at The Pod and is fluent in Polari. What a life! We loved recording this episode and learned so much. Mr. Pussy even schools us on where drag stared and it blew our ignorant minds. See you soon for the rest of series 2 and some brand new guests.

Katherine is still in panto and Brian is taking a much deserved break so we're releasing a past episode with a great guest from series 1, Rory Cowan! In this episode, he tells us all about coming out, going out and how his parents taught him to stand up for himself at all times. We hope you enjoy and we'll be back with the rest of season 2 very soon.

Happy New Year all! As we head into a fresh new year, we’ve decided to share Brian's experience surviving cancer. We hope that if you are going through the same thing or are supporting a friend undergoing cancer treatment that this episode might offer you some comfort, guidance and a few laughs. Stay safe and see you in a couple of weeks with new episodes while we take a wee break. Brian and Katherine

In this post Chrimbo minisode, Brian and Katherine talk about feedback from listeners, where they like to spend a night our and the importance of sharing LGBTQI+ stories. Thank you so much for listening to the podcast this year - we really appreciate your support and hope you've enjoyed the conversations. But for now, bring on 2023 and all it has in store.

Happy Christmas 80 Gayers! This week we are joined by Buzz O’Neill Maxwell, nightclub promoter, event manager and a person who gets things done. We talked about everything from Buzz's letting in story, owning a football club and his love for Dublin City.

This week Brian and Katherine were joined by Eddie McGuinness. Eddie is a social media and communications master, event manager at Dublin Pride and an LGBTQ+ activist. He talked to us about his coming out story, his cancer experience and how he met Katherine. It's a gorgeous episode.

In this bonus minisode, Brian and Katherine talk about their experience as creative human beings and they reflect on their chat with Cassie Delaney.

This week, we are delighted to be joined by superstar podcaster and general wonder woman, Cassie Delaney. Cassie is one third of the very popular Creep Dive Podcast, one half of the Before Brunch podcast and the creator of the Outcaster platform which aims to help creatives make some money honey. This was a great chat where Cassie talked about what being queer means to her, community and most importantly, being from Knocklyon.

In this minisode, Brian and Katherine reflect on their chat with Wallis Bird and how her authenticity is inspiring. Oh, and they also discuss sex clubs.

Wallis Bird latest album Hands, was released earlier this year and she is currently on tour around Ireland and heading to the U.S.A in 2023. Luckily for us, she took time out of her very busy schedule to talk to Brian and Katherine about her gay icons, inspo and anthems.

Inspired by James Kavanagh's appearance on the main episode this week and his multi hyphenated career, we asked each other what new things would we like to try next?