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Ireland Said Yes
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Ireland Said Yes

Author: Onic Originals

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Comedian Shane Daniel Byrne celebrates 10 years of marriage equality. Shane will take you on an emotional journey exploring the decades-long fight for same-sex marriage. From the deeply personal stories of LGBTQ+ activism and resistance, he explores the cultural shifts that eventually made the historic 2015 referendum possible. Shane interviews the key players and unsung heroes of the Yes campaign, including drag royalty Panti Bliss, former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, journalist Una Mullaly, artists Pillows Queen and Joe Caslin, alongisde TV presenter Brendan Courtney among many others. The series includes Shane’s personal reflections and live standup from his sell-out run at Vicar Street in Dublin, as he revisits a time that reshaped his life and transformed Ireland completely.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Episodes
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Bonus - Philly McMahon

Bonus - Philly McMahon

2025-10-0140:41

Shane chats to Philly McMahon, award-winning playwright and co-director of THISISPOPBABY, about his memories of 2015 and beyond.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As she release her new memoir 'Love In a Time of Politics', Shane chats to Katherine Zappone about her groundbreaking time as a campaigner and politician. Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus - Sinéad Walsh

Bonus - Sinéad Walsh

2025-09-1734:39

Shane talks to fellow queer comedian Sinéad Walsh about their memories of growing up in Ireland and more.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ruadhán Ó Críodáin talks to Shane about their memories of 2015 and what's next for Ireland's vulnerable trans community.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Shane talks to broadcaster Brendan Courtney to talk about growing up gay in Dublin, living with homophobic abuse and becoming one of the most visible queer people on Irish TV, along with his memories of 2015 referendum.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus - Seán Munsanje

Bonus - Seán Munsanje

2025-08-2739:11

Shane Daniel Byrne chats to broadcaster Seán Munsanje about growing up gay in Ireland, the importance of queer representation in the media and his recollections of 2015.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus - Pillow Queens

Bonus - Pillow Queens

2025-08-2053:55

Shane chats to Pam and Sarah from Pillow Queens, an award-winning and critically acclaimed queer band from Dublin.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus - Conor Behan

Bonus - Conor Behan

2025-08-1344:46

Shane talks to RTÉ 2FM broadcaster and pop culture expert Conor Behan about his memories of 2015 and beyond.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus - Lisa Connell

Bonus - Lisa Connell

2025-08-0657:37

Shane sits down with the charming and outspoken force behind LGBT Noise, GCN magazine and co-founder of queer club night Mother - the legend that is Lisa Connell.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus - Davina Devine

Bonus - Davina Devine

2025-07-3138:47

Shane talks to Davina Devine about their hilarious memories of 2015 and how they became drag royalty.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus - David Carroll

Bonus - David Carroll

2025-07-2351:36

Shane talks to activist David Carroll about his recollections of 2015; his marriage in Canada when it still wasn't legal in Ireland and surviving the horrors of the 1980s.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus - Gráinne Healy

Bonus - Gráinne Healy

2025-07-1756:29

Shane Daniel Byrne talks to the genius behind the successful Yes vote in 2015, Gráinne Healy. She talks about the campaign tactics, the initial setbacks and her huge legacy 10 years later.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus - Una Mullally

Bonus - Una Mullally

2025-07-1059:08

Shane talks to celebrated author and Irish Time journalist Una Mullally about her personal reflections on the 2015. Shane discusses Una's perspective on the divisions within the LGBTQ+ community around the push for civil partnerships; the strategic approach of the "Yes" campaign, and the key involvement of unexpected public figures like former President Mary McAleese. Una reflects on her personal experience of being diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and how that intertwined with her campaigning for Marriage Equality.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus - Joe Caslin

Bonus - Joe Caslin

2025-07-0349:47

Shane chats to acclaimed artist Joe Caslin about his beautiful artwork, which became the defining imagery of 2015 Marriage Referendum. Joe talks about the mural's origins, the inside help that he received to stay out of the courts, his teaching career, growing up in Roscommon, and what Joe now believes is important for today's LGBT+ youth.See more of Joe's work here:https://joecaslin.com/pages/equality https://www.instagram.com/joecaslin/?hl=en Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus - Ailbhe Smyth

Bonus - Ailbhe Smyth

2025-06-2654:37

In the first bonus episode of Ireland Said Yes, Shane talks to veteran activist Ailbhe Smyth. She discusses her memories of the 2015 Marriage Referendum, how she's won and lost campaigns, and what advice Ailbhe would give future generations of Irish LGBT+ activists. Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the final episode of the series, the votes are now in and the count centres suggest an incoming landslide for the Yes side. Shane talks to the people who made it all possible, as he reflects on the tears, the exhaustion and sheer euphoria. Ten years later from that day in May, Shane asks how far have we really come and what’s now important for Ireland’s LBGT+ community?Thank you all for lovely comments on the series. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be releasing bonus episodes featuring highlights of Shane’s conversations with interviewed guests. If you’ve enjoyed Ireland Said Yes, please review and subscribe, plus, let people know to give us a listen.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the third episode of Ireland Said Yes, comedian Shane Daniel Byrne reflects on a frantic and often emotional period where the Yes Equality campaign attempted to galvanise the entire country to win Marriage Equality for Ireland’s LGBT community. Shane speaks to Yes activists from all walks of life who all played a part in 2015 - he learns about the key ‘million in the middle’ whose votes were up for grabs, which person was the most trusted voice in Ireland (hint: she’s a camp icon) and how campaigners handled a relentless and intense press campaign. As the vote on May 22nd draws closer and the polls begin to tighten, Shane discovers how Ireland’s youth turned up to play their part. But will it be enough?Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the second episode of Ireland Said Yes, comedian Shane Daniel Byrne examines the key early moments that shaped Ireland’s path to achieving marriage equality. Beginning with the story of Katherine Zappone and Anne Louise Gilligan whose legal battle to have their Canadian marriage recognised in Ireland—best known as the KAL case—brought the issue of equality into public focus. Shane explores how their fight laid the groundwork for incremental change, even when the larger public remained unconvinced. The episode also traces the introduction of civil partnerships in 2011, highlighting the fierce debate within the LGBTQIA+ community over whether they were a necessary step, or an unacceptable compromise. Shane also revisits Panti Bliss’s viral 2014 speech - The Noble Call - which sparked a national conversation on homophobia and helped shift public opinion favourably towards the 2015 referendum.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 2015, Ireland made history by becoming the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. But how did a predominantly Catholic nation decide to embrace LGBT equality and inclusion in such a profound and historical way? Over the course of four episodes, comedian and actor Shane Daniel Byrne takes us back to the beginning of this transformative journey, reflecting on his own memories and experiences as a young gay man in Dublin discovering his own sexuality. Shane explores the decades of activism, protests, and personal sacrifices that paved the way for future generations, collecting a tapestry of rich stories that shaped Ireland’s social and cultural evolution. In episode one, Shane explores the silence and stigma that once surrounded queer lives to the decline of the Catholic Church’s influence, featuring reflections from voices like former President Mary McAleese, drag royalty Panti Bliss and Irish Times journalist Una Mullally among others.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Comedian Shane Daniel Byrne celebrate 10 years of marriage equality in 'Ireland Said Yes'. He'll take you on an emotional journey exploring the decades-long fight for same-sex marriage. From the deeply personal stories of LGBTQIA activism and resistance, Shane explores the cultural changes that eventually made the historic 2015 referendum possible. Shane interviews the key players and unsung heroes of the Yes campaign, including drag royalty Panti Bliss, former President of Ireland Mary McAleese and TV presenter Brendan Courtney among many others. The series includes Shane’s personal reflections and standup live from his sell-out run at Vicar Street in Dublin, as he revisits a time that reshaped his life and transformed Ireland completely.Ireland Said Yes is an Onic Original.Written and Presented by Shane Daniel Byrne.Developed and Produced by Paul Macgregor, Series Producer.Audio design, mixing, and sound editing - Fionn O'Brien and Paul Macgregor. Visual design - Stephen King O'Farrell and Conor Daly. News archive, courtesy of RTE, Virgin Media, BBC, Channel 4 News, CNN, Euronews, Getty Images and Associated Press. Archive images and video courtesy of Getty Images. Music and sound effects courtesy of Audio Network and Epidemic Sound. Legal Counsel - Hugh Hannigan and Claire Telford. Executive Producer - Sasha Hamrogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Comments (2)

Bardán McGuire

Donegal said no. 🙂

Jun 2nd
Reply (1)