The Shnug

Since the 1998 the Marble city has played host to some of the finest names in Americana and Roots music. Held over 4 days every May ‘the Kilkenny Roots Festival’ plays host to over 40 Irish and international acts, staged at 30 venues across the city, boasting an eclectic mix of old and new acts, where all styles are catered for. I was kindly invited down by to the festival in 2024 by Gary Keogh of ‘Roller Coaster Records’ and was lucky enough to interview some of the headliners of that year’s festival, acts such as; Hayseed Dixie - Formed in 2000, Hayseed Dixie are a Nashville based bluegrass group who are known for their covers of rock, metal and pop songs. Since the release of their debut album in 2001 the group gained notoriety for their sound & humour, leading them to have considerable airplay on many a radio show across the world, leading to them becoming a mainstay of the genre in the early 21st century. Jeffrey Martin - Portland, Oregon is home to this singer songwriter who has gone forward into a career that has steadily built upon his insightful and sensitive songs. Jeffrey has used his talents to reflect upon the human condition in all its guises and to hold a mirror up to our humanity, our deeds and insecurities. He speaks for those on the margins of society and frequently captures the quiet dignity and the hidden depths within everyman. Peter Case - A three-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter from the USA who has a most impressive resume. He was the founder of the Nerves, the very first American indie band to put together a nationwide tour and one of the very first to release their own indie EP. He then was the founder and leader of the legendary Plimsouls, an incredibly influential L.A. rock and roll band which drew praise from everyone from Elvis Costello to Tom Petty to critics nationwide. Robert Finley - . Louisiana's Robert Finley is a singer/songwriter and guitarist delivering traditional blues and soul music with elements of R&B and gospel. He performed semi-professionally for decades before going on hiatus to better support his family. He returned to music in 2016 and issued his debut album, Age Don't Mean a Thing, on producer Bruce Watson's Big Legal Mess label. In the aftermath Finley was introduced to Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and the pair became easy collaborators.  The Zipheads – Playing Rock'n'Roll infused punk, taking influence from the founding fathers of the 1950s like Little Richard and Chuck Berry, via the punk and new wave heroes of the 70s such as The Clash and Elvis Costello, along the way encompassing surf, swing, soul, country, folk, ska and reggae as well as most other types of music you could care to imagine into the mix. Jeffrey Silverstein - A Jersey native with his feet now firmly planted in Portland, Jeffrey Silverstein has been making music for over a decade. From his time in Baltimore collective Secret Mountains to releasing music with Brooklyn duo Nassau, his song writing has always focused primarily on its use of instruments. He was in town with the psychedelic country super group the Cosmic Country Review. I also spoke to music aficionados such as festival founder and owner of Cleere’s pub and venue, John Cleere and legendary music journalist, Allan Jones. An award-winning ,British music journalist and editor. He was editor of Melody Maker from 1984 to 1997 then launched Uncut magazine and for 15 years wrote a popular monthly column called Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One Before, based on his experiences as a music journalist in the 70s and 80s, a prosperous time for the music press. His book, Can't Stand Up For Falling Down, was the Sunday Times' Music Book of the Year 2017. From rockabilly to folk, blues to bluegrass and everything in between, The Kilkenny roots festival serves all tastes, this documentary is a snapshot of the festival as it goes into its 26th year, this is Marble Roots.

Ah sure, we thought we’d do one for the road. So the government formation talks are over and we know broadly what shape the government will take going forward. So for our final episode in this series, we take a look at the programme for Government and how the main players FF/FG, the Healy Rae’s, the RIG 'Reginal Independent Group' have fared. Most importantly, we discuss what this all means for the country...

Well the results are in and it looks like the FFG are back in. We take a look at the results, turnout and fallout from the weekend gone by. Fine Gael And Fianna Fáil were at times expected to receive at least a bloody nose, instead the status quo vote is still in the majority, as 2/3rd of voters want the same. Saying that Civil War Parties Vote share is steadily going down. They didn’t win. Sinn Fein lost. We discuss what this means for Government formation and the future in Irish politics.  This the last episode in this series of the Political Broad cast, Ger and I would like to thank everyone that has joined us over the past few weeks, its greatly appreciated.

It's finally Election time Baby, so this week we are joined by Max Kelly of the Galway Advertiser to discuss Galway West and Galway East. We take a look at the race, candidates and issues affecting these two constituencies. Given that the election is upon us, we take a look at the campaign as a whole and give our predictions for the winners and losers on the national level. The Shnug: Political Broadcast is a weekly show where we will be taking a look at all things political. 

With a week to the General Election, we are joined by Daniel Ryan of the Tipperary Star to discuss the newly redrawn constituencies. We take a look at the race, candidates and issues affecting Tipperary North and South. We also discuss the rather disappointing leader’s debate on RTE and voter apathy among younger voters. The Shnug: Political Broadcast is a weekly show where we will be taking a look at all things political.

This week is all about Independents, while politicians without parties are found all over Europe, but they do not garner such a large percentage of the vote as in Ireland. This is due the country’s size, proportional representation and the unique nature of Irish parish pump politics. We take a look at the notable characters that have ran for election both past and present, how Independents may affect the election and the Government that will emerge from it. The Shnug: Political Broadcast is a new weekly show where we will be taking a look at all things political. Check us out everywhere you get podcasts. We are also on the mighty Flirt Fm every Saturday at 5pm. Our theme tune is by Leon Stax whose new album is out now…

Join us this week as we briefly chat about the the Mango Mussolini, the Occupied Territories Bill, Volkswagen cuts spelling trouble for the German Economy, Voter aggression on the Campaign trail. In the meat and potatoes section, we take a deep dive on the accomplishments or lack thereof of this current Government and what that will mean when people go to the polls. The Shnug: Political Broadcast is a new weekly show where we will be taking a look at all things political.

Join us this week as we discuss the UK Budget, Killing Tony, Election Promises and the state of the smaller parties such as the Labour, Social Democrats, Aontu, People before Profit, the Far Right block and the host of Independents and how they could contribute to possible Government formation. The Shnug: Political Broadcast is a new weekly show where we will be taking a look at all things political.

Well he finally did it, Simon Harris has called the election and while no concrete date has been given it has been confirmed for a Friday before Christmas. Join us this week as we discuss the potential dates for the election, Fine Gael losing another one of the Old Guard, political gangsters and how since the Financial Crisis there has been a protest vote in Ireland. It is unfocused, constantly shifting and has not toppled the status quo but its there, and rising. The Shnug: Political Broadcast is a new weekly show where we will be taking a look at all things political. LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, SHNUG

It’s been a hell of a few weeks for Sinn Féin with the resignation of two TD’s, not to mention two further scandals that have rocked the party both North and South of the border. Join us this week as we discuss the potential political fallout of these events, the possibility of new travel restrictions across the EU, the Hulk vs the Green Party and Ger’s favourite type of Math, Electoral Math. The Shnug: Political Broadcast is a new weekly show where we will be taking a look at all things political. LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, SHNUG

With the General Election on the horizon, we thought it would be interesting to do a comprehensive election podcast series. Whether you have a keen interest in all things political or if you find politics a bit overwhelming, we are here for you. The Shnug: Political Broadcast is a new weekly show where we will be taking a look at all things political, breaking down the major talking points and issues in the lead up to the election and beyond. Riding shotgun with me will be the Shnug’s resident political anorak Ger Butler. This week we will be analysing the Budget, the reaction to it and the likely election timetable. LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, SHNUG

It’s Episode 31 of the The Shnug Podacst and with the  European elections tomorrow, we thought we'd bring you our European chat, which will feature contributions with the 3 previously featured  journalists,  Max Kelly, Michal Duffy and Dan Danaher as we look at the candidates and major issues.

It’s Episode 29 of the The Shnug Podacst and with the local and European elections just around the corner on June 7th, we have decided to try something a little different. Starting today, the Shnug is hitting the political trail, we will be taking a look at the local elections in Clare, Galway and Mayo. Riding co-pilot with me, will be political enthusiast Ger Butler. Today we chat to is Max Kelly, senior journalist with the Galway Advertiser, as we look at the candidates and major issues in the run up to the elections.

It’s Episode 29 of the The Shnug Podacst and with the local and European elections just around the corner on June 7th, we have decided to try something a little different. Starting today, the Shnug is hitting the political trail, we will be taking a look at the local elections in Clare, Galway and Mayo. Riding co-pilot with me, will be political enthusiast Ger Butler. Today we chat to is Michael Duffy, editor of The Mayo News/ Mayo Live as we look at the candidates and major issues in the run up to the elections. LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, SHNUG

It’s Episode 28 of the The Shnug Podacst and with the local and European elections just around the corner on June 7th, we have decided to try something a little different. Starting today, the Shnug is hitting the political trail, we will be taking a look at the local elections in Clare, Galway and Mayo. Riding co-pilot with me, will be political enthusiast Ger Butler. First up is Dan Danaher, senior staff reporter of The Clare Champion, he joins us as we look at the candidates and major issues in the run up to the elections. LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, SHNUG

Its Episode 27 of the The Shnug Podacst and this episode see’s us chat to DJ, selector, curator, promoter Kelsey Sheridan who is known for lighting up dancefloors from Vietnam to Tenerife, Dublin to Galway. In 2022, she also founded the Teigh Sios collective, hosting inclusive, multi-disciplinary parties in Galway & fundraising events for Gaza PCRF, Galway Rape Crisis Centre & Ukranians in need. Fresh off an exhilarating festival circuit, including Boomtown Fair (UK), All Together Now, and Electric Picnic where she fused multiple genres into sets along with regular gigs at Galway's Blue Note and collaborating with Ping Pong Disco. Her most recent project Ragga Puffin see’s her curate genre-bending DJ sets performed live with drummer Iarla Fox former member of Irish reggae band Intinn and Lady Grew an American performance artist and rapper.  

For Episode 26 of the Shnug podcast we were invited down by Gary Jackson and the lads from the Gathering to Thomand Park in Limerick City, for the Conclave gaming convention. The Gathering is a Limerick institution and now holds the title of Ireland’s oldest gaming and hobby shop. Gary opened its doors in February 1997 after transforming the former premises, a fish and tackle shop, to a store of his own. There was no electricity, phone or running water, games were held by candlelight and dice rolls were difficult to confirm but 27 years later they are still here. The shop has always had a strict code universally applied whether to boy, girl, old, young, Professor or pauper, enjoy the game, play by the rules, win or lose. shake hands. The Gathering is a safe space, it doesn't matter where you’re from, your socio economic background, if you are from the LGBTQI+ community, or on the spectrum or off it, as long as you treat people with respect you are welcome. This is thanks to the environment that Gary has created. After running the shop for a year, Gary held the first gaming convention, Conclave, in Halla Ide, this year marks the 26th anniversary of that convention and it now calls Thomand Park home. You’ll hear from a whole host of people who have travelled from across the county for the event and they speak glowingly about the impact the Gathering, Conclave and in particular Gary has had on their lives. Gary is a community leader and has been for nearly 30 years. If it was up to me, I would award him the Keys of Limerick city for the work he has done in that time, walk into the store on any Saturday morning and you’ll understand immediately what I mean. Interviewees include Tommy Warden, Sheamus Hennessey, Saoirse & Leon O’Conner, Paul Gunning, John Williams and Gary Jackson.  Conclave Abu, The Gathering Abu…

In Episode 25 of the Shnug podcast we speak to Aine O’Brein. Hailing from Kilfenora in County Clare, Aine has always had a lust for the creative arts. She is comfortable with wearing the all the hats, including Performance Artist, Singer, Musician, Actress, Song Writer, Curator, Artistic director, voice over Artist. Aine’s first love was music, playing in a myriad of different bands in her early years. She then spent four years studying Theatre in Dublin’s Bull Alley and her training here would go on to inform all her artistic pursuits, as she performed at home and abroad with variety of different productions and troupes. Recently she was involved with INVOCATION OF THE UNSEEN a work commissioned by Gallery 126 which referenced previous work with the HERSTORY Art Gallery show. She is also currently recoding her debut album with her band, AWNYA. Another of Aine’s current projects is the KILFENORA ROAD SHOW. A travelling show of Actors, Singers, Dancers, Musicians and Theatre producers, that brings tradition and connection back to our communities. Traditionally informed and contemporarily explored. Also shout out to little Bridgeen, making her podcast debut as well. Like, Share,Subrscribe,Shnug

In Episode 24 of the Shnug podcast we speak to singer/songwriter Sabrina Dinan. We chat to her about her early life in Ennis and Galway and how friends convinced her to take a chance and start singing. While living in Australia she recorded her first EP ‘The Bondi Hotel’ and upon her return she began in her career in earnest, touring Europe and the States with Luka Bloom, while also sharing the stage with the likes of Damien Dempsey and Brendan Benson to name but a few. In 2006 she appeared on a tribute album to John Martyn alongside David Grey, Back and Paulo Nutini. In the past year Sabrina has supported Declan O’Rourke, Mary Coughlan and Luka once again. She has also played and recorded with Ultan Conlon. Her most recent EP ‘The Beginnings’ came out in August of 2023 and she is currently working on her first album. Dates for her upcoming Irish and European tour can be found on her Instagram @sabrinadinan_music .

For Episode 23 of the Shnug podcast we are joined by Galway’s favourite tea addicted trad band, Kettleboilers. A frenzied episode recorded in Tully’s bar Kinvara as 4 of the 6 members, Evan, Sophie, Luke and Jack took the spin out and regaled with stories and a few tunes. Hailing from across the country but based in Galway, Kettleboilers are a six-piece trad/rock/folk/punk band known for their raucous and rowdy live shows, infusing all their live shoes with a large dose of comedy to the mix. We chat to lands about how they came together, their musical influences and how the traditional folk revival of the past few years made a big impact on them. They released their newest single ‘Bellyful’ last week and on the 17th they play the at the Paddys day village in Eyre Square and again that night with 'Dead Letter Devils' in Monroes.