Tralee-based businessman Nathan McDonnell was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in a transglobal drug smuggling operation involving a notorious Mexican drug cartel. How did it ever come to this and what exactly is the connection in Kerry that saw the drugs being stored in a premises outside Tralee, en route from South America to Australia? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A new coffee table book, written by Eoin Ó Broin and illustrated with the photographs of Mal McCann, looks at the public housing schemes designed by acclaimed architect Herbert Sims in the early decades of the state and the people who now live in them. Flats And Cottages – Herbert Sims and the Housing of Dublin’s Working Class 1932-48 works as both a history of architecture and a social history of a changing city. But who was Herbert Sims and what can we learn from him and the times he worked in that can be applied to today’s housing crisis? Eoin Ó Broin is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The start of the year, as in then, dawned full of hope and vim for a new government after the election in November 2024. Now, at the end of the year, we examine where the hope and plans ended up. The last twelve months hasn’t progressed like that and some might say that in general things have regressed a bit. But what has the political year really been like. Joining the podcast to discuss the year that was are Paul Hosford and Louise Burne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dunnes Stores is one of the most famous brands in the country with one in every five shopping euros spent in one of their outlets. But what of the family behind the brand? Many people would have been familiar with the late Ben Dunne, a larger than life character, but what lay behind the character and what of the other big personalities in the family, from Ben Snr down. Matt Cooper has written Dynasty: Scandals, Triumph, Turmoil and Succession at the heart of Dunnes Stores. Matt is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week the government introduced new rules in relation to immigration, principally directed at asylum seekers. Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said he is responding to a scenario in which this country has had a rapid increase in population. But is that the case, and is any such rise down to the number of people seeing asylum? Professor Ciara Symth, an expert in immigration law in UCG explores the facts, the myths and some of the lies that is now informing the public mood in this area. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Comments by billionaire Denis O’Brien that some young people now feel entitled and that there is a decline in work ethic among the young have received much negative reaction. However, one voice that says O’Brien was talking sense is political scientist Eoin O’Malley, who is an associate professor in DCU. O’Malley, through his work has experience of the problems and foibles of young people emerging from education today. And he has strong opinions on whether remote working is actually working. Eoin is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, after 14 years in office, Michael D Higgins left Áras an Uachtaran for the last time and Catherine Connolly was sworn in as the 10th President of Ireland. In her inauguration speech, she said that the president should be “a unifying presence—a steady hand, but also a catalyst for change”. Irish Examiner deputy political editor Paul Hosford joins the podcast to give us the details as Ms Connolly aims to hit the ground running as she takes the reins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Progress Ireland is a relatively unknown think tank from what might be described as the centre right of Irish politics. Among its backers are the billionaire brother Patrick and John Collison from Limerick. The think tank describes itself as “on a mission to connect Ireland to proven policy solutions around the world”. But what do they stand for specifically and is their message resonating in the political firmament. Progress Ireland’s director Sean Keyes is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
DJ Carey has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for defrauding at least ten people out of various sums on money on the false premise that he was suffering from cancer. Carey was hurling’s first superstar whose exploits on the pitch thrilled the whole country. How did it all go wrong? What prompted him to head down the dark alley that led to imprisonment for the most grievous kind of deception? Eimear Ni Bhraonain’s new book The Dodger gives insight and detail in response to those questions. Eimear is today’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Political communication was brought to a fine art by Terry Prone, her late husband Tom Savage and their mentor Bunny Carr. Their work was done and felt behind the scenes of successive governments and among numerous politicians. Now Terry is telling all in her memoir from the political years, which includes a whole raft of narratives about how some major figures in Irish politics coped at times of crisis and challenges. Her book is entitled “I’m glad you asked me that”, a phrase she insists she has never, nor ever would, tell a client to issue. Terry Prone is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The GAA has deep roots right across Irish society, culture and the economy. On one level it has never been as popular but often threats lurk at the time when the sun is shining. The Irish Examiner’s Michael Moynihan has spent much of his career tracking progress in the GAA and now he has produced a book that looks at the future, the hopes, the dreams and the threats that are being posed. Michael is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Against the odds, Donald Trump has managed, at least temporarily, to stop the bombing and slaughter in Gaza. He has brokered a twenty point peace plan that could potentially ensure both peace and justice in an area that has been devastated. But will it work? And does Trump have the patience and political interest in ensuring that the long hard slog is as successful as the photo opportunities he availed of this week. Professor Scott Lucas from the Clinton Institute in UCD joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Irish Examiner Political Editor Paul Hosford joins Mick to talk over the shock departure of Jim Gavin from the presidential campaign and what now for the race for the Aras. On Tuesday the government introduced its first budget to the sound of groans from the general public and sirens sounding from economists. It was by any standards a week and a half. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The presidential election campaign is underway but so far no fireworks are to be seen. But, Gary Murphy reckons, there are a number of subplots that may well liven up the race and there are questions to ask about the sour reaction of the supporters of candidates who failed to get nominated. Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics in DCU, is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 2021, Alan Kearney was heading towards the pinnacle of his career. He was due to be promoted to commandant in the defence forces and was in line for a prestigious deployment to Leinster House. Then it all fell apart and he found himself the focus of a long running investigation and criminal charges. It took over three years before he was vindicated but by then the whole case had taken a huge toll on his career, health and family. This is his story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Charlie Haughey and Garrett Fitzgerald dominated politics in this country in the 1980s, and according to academic Eoin O’Malley, their rivalry shaped modern Ireland. O’Malley’s new book Charlie Vs Garrett examines the rivalry and the times the pair lived through when they were vying to run the country. It is a study of character, class and country. Eoin O’Malley is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The presidential race is up and running now, with Fianna Fail the latest party to select a candidate this week. Elsewhere, a whole host of independents are attempting to get nominated by appealed to county councils and Oireachtas members. Irish Examiner Political Correspondent Louise Burne takes a look at the runners and riders and who exactly might represent a value bet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland’s history has been tied up with that of Britain for eight hundred years through strife, colonialism, emigration and at times friendship. But where do we go from here? Philip Stephens is a long standing commentator with the Financial Times who had an Irish mother so he has a unique take on the ancient issue. His most recent book is These Divided Isles – Britain and Ireland Past And Future. Philip is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fifty years to the week after the death of Eamonn de Valera, we talk to his biographer Colum Kenny about the makings of the man who dominated the Irish state for the first half of its existence so far. Revered by some, hated by others, he has his rule has been subjected to much revision since his death.Revolutionary, statesman, leader, yet also considered conniving and dishonest in his role in creating the Civil War that proved to be brutal. Who really was the man who oversaw De Valera’s Ireland. Colum Kenny is this week’s guest on the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Leaving cert results are out and those who sat the exam are digesting how they did at a time when grade inflation is being reined in. But what does it all mean in today’s world? Will disappointment today just be a staging post to a career that is not at all dependant on the results and how far away is reform. Jess Casey is this week’s guest on the podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jonathan 67 🍀
culchie bias alive Aliveo .... culchies always be bog diggers they will never sit by the fire 🔥
Noel Powell
Really excellent podcast..the clearest I've heard anyone speaking out against the filth from the racists..
Paul McHugh
stomach turning stuff, such a close relationship between media and politics, tough life, entitled to privacy. these shower sold the next generations housing to funds, and filled the place with immigrants. biggest pensions in the world for themselves. good riddance
Graham Hooper
Should this episode not be titled Taking on corporate America ?
Aidie Morrissey
Need for Public discussion, Social Dialogue, "no political will".....egos too big...Well done Dr Sean how many times has he questioned the decisions made & not being listened to!!