Under Construction with Chadwicks

Irish comedy legend Pat Shortt and his daughter Faye Shortt join Under Construction for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation. From unforgettable improv moments and epic breakfast roll tales to behind-the-scenes stories from Father Ted and their viral D'Unbelievables sketches, Pat and Faye share the craft, chaos, and charm behind their comedy. Topics include: How Pat & Faye developed their comedic style The magic of improv (and a few unexpected turns!) Building characters like Michael the Builder Life in the spotlight & navigating fame The evolution from stage to social media Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to their work, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and a dash of mischief. Follow Chadwicks, Donncha, and the Guests:  🔗  Chadwicks Website: ⁠www.chadwicks.ie⁠ 📲 Follow Chadwicks on Instagram: @chadwicks_ie 📲 Follow Chadwicks on TikTok: @chadwicksie 📲 Follow Donncha O’Callaghan: @donnchaocallaghan 📲 Follow Pat Shortt: @patshortt1 📲 Follow Faye Shortt: @fayeshortty  🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.   #ChadwicksPodcast #UnderConstructionPodcast #Podcast #IrishComedy #FatherTed #DUnbelievables #Killinaskully #ComedyIcons

In this episode of Under Construction with Chadwicks, host Donncha O’Callaghan sits down with two Irish sporting stars who’ve dared to step outside the familiar—and into the unknown.   Vikki Wall, Meath LGFA legend turned AFLW premiership winner with North Melbourne, and Mark Jackson, Wicklow’s standout goalkeeper and NFL hopeful, join us to talk ambition, adaptability, and life beyond the GAA pitch.   From kicking points in Croke Park to trialling for the NFL and switching codes to rugby sevens, these two have redefined what it means to chase your dreams. They open up about the pressure of elite sport, the culture shock of new systems abroad, and the personal sacrifices it takes to push boundaries and start over in a completely different sport.     Follow Chadwicks, Donncha, and the Guests:  🔗  Chadwicks Website: www.chadwicks.ie 📲 Follow Chadwicks on Instagram: @chadwicks_ie 📲 Follow Chadwicks on TikTok: @chadwicksie 📲 Follow Donncha O’Callaghan: @donnchaocallaghan 📲 Follow Vikki Wall: @vikkiwall_ 📲 Follow Mark Jackson: @mark_jacko1    🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.   #ChadwicksPodcast #UnderConstructionPodcast #VikkiWall #MarkJackson #AFLW #NFL #GAA #IrishSport #Podcast #AthleteLife #SportTransition

In this episode of Under Construction with Chadwicks, host Donncha O’Callaghan sits down with two icons of Irish comedy—Patrick McDonnell and Bernard O’Shea.   As Father Ted marks its 30th anniversary this year and Naked Camera turns 20, we’re celebrating the shows and characters that have defined a generation of Irish humour.   Patrick takes us behind the scenes of playing the unforgettable Eoin McLove in Father Ted, and shares the madness of creating Naked Camera, one of Ireland’s most outrageous comedy shows. Bernard reflects on his time writing and performing on Republic of Telly, the hit show that pushed boundaries and brought a new wave of comedy to Irish screens.   Together, they explore how comedy has changed over the years—from TV classics to the world of social media—sharing stories from the road, the stage, and behind the camera.   🎙️ Whether you grew up watching these shows or are just discovering them, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and a celebration of Ireland’s comedy legacy.   Follow Chadwicks, Donncha, and the Guests: 🔗 Chadwicks Website: www.chadwicks.ie  Follow Chadwicks on 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwicks_ie/ 📲 Follow Chadwicks on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chadwicksie 📲 Follow Donncha O’Callaghan: https://www.instagram.com/donnchaocallaghan/ 📲 Follow Patrick McDonnell: https://www.instagram.com/patmcdonnellcomedian/ 📲 Follow Bernard O’Shea: https://www.instagram.com/bernardo.oshea/   🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.   #ChadwicksPodcast #UnderConstructionPodcast #Podcast #IrishComedy #FatherTed #RepublicOfTelly #ComedyIcons

In this episode of Under Construction with Chadwicks, host Donncha O’Callaghan sits down with Westmeath GAA star Luke Loughlin and Áine Byrne from Bagenalstown Family Resource Centre - Luke opens up about his journey through gambling, drug & alcohol addiction and the long road to recovery. From the first bet where he won big to the moment everything changed, Luke shares the highs, the devastating lows, and the strength it took to turn things around. Alongside him is Áine, an expert in the field who’s spent years working on the frontlines in a resource centre, helping individuals and families affected by gambling harm. Together, they unpack the reality behind the addiction, the shame and silence that often surrounds it, and the hope that comes with support and recovery.   Follow Chadwicks, Donncha, and the Guests:   Chadwicks Website: www.chadwicks.ie   Follow Chadwicks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwicks_ie/   Follow Chadwicks on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chadwicksie   Follow Donncha O’Callaghan: https://www.instagram.com/donnchaocallaghan/   Follow Luke Loughlin: https://www.instagram.com/lukeloughlin13/  Listen on all podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.   If you’ve been affected by anything discussed in this episode, support is available. You can contact Gambling Care at 1800 936 725 or visit www.gamblingcare.ie.   #ChadwicksPodcast #UnderConstructionPodcast #Podcast #Construction

In this episode of Under Construction with Chadwicks, host Donncha O’Callaghan sits down with two legends of Irish comedy—Eric Lalor and Willa White—for a chat filled with laughter, resilience, and a few unexpected turns. From growing up in Ballymun to making audiences roar with laughter, Eric and Willa share their journeys from very different early careers—IBM for Eric, and a much tougher path for Willa—to finding their way onto the comedy circuit. They talk about their breakthrough moments in Des Bishop’s ‘Joy in the Hood’ almost 20 years ago, the highs and lows of stand-up, and the madness of Irish audiences. Expect hilarious stories, hard-earned wisdom, and plenty of slagging as they reflect on their careers, the struggles they’ve overcome, and what’s next. So, grab a cuppa and tune in for plenty of banter and a dose of inspiration from two of Ireland’s finest. 🎧 Listen now for a hilarious and inspiring journey from Ballymun to the comedy stage!   Follow Chadwicks, Donncha, and the Guests: 🔗 Chadwicks Website: www.chadwicks.ie 📲 Follow Chadwicks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwicks_ie/ 📲 Follow Chadwicks on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chadwicksie   📲 Follow Donncha O’Callaghan: https://www.instagram.com/donnchaocallaghan/ 📲 Follow Willa White: https://www.instagram.com/willawhitecomedy/ 📲 Follow Eric Lalor: https://www.instagram.com/ericlalor/   🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.   📩 Drop your thoughts in the comments. What do you think is next for the Irish Comedy scene?   #IrishComedy #Comedy #Irish #Ireland #Comedians #ChadwicksPodcast #UnderConstructionPodcast #Podcast #Construction #Banter

Irish rugby has gone from empty stands to packed stadiums in just a few decades. But how did it happen? In this episode of Under Construction, former Munster and Ireland legend Alan Quinlan and sports presenter Junior B join Donncha O’Callaghan to break down the key moments that changed everything.   From the amateur days of Jaffa Cakes and Coke before a match to the elite professionalism of today, this episode explores:   The moment Irish rugby turned professional and what changed overnight How Munster went from 200 fans at a club match to 40,000 at Twickenham The rise of schools rugby and why it now dominates the talent pool The hidden advantages of Leinster's private school system What the GAA can learn from rugby’s evolution Is grassroots rugby under threat as the game becomes more elite? Alan Quinlan shares hilarious dressing room stories and on-pitch clashes   Expect brilliant stories, honest insights, and plenty of laughs, including:   The time Ronan O’Gara got chased around the pitch mid-game Why Jaffa Cakes and Coke were considered "nutrition" How contract negotiations were completely random in the early days   A great listen if you're a die-hard rugby fan, a casual supporter, or just love a great sports story.   🎧 Listen now and discover the untold story behind Irish rugby’s rise.   Follow Chadwicks, Donncha, and the Guests: 🔗 Chadwicks Website: www.chadwicks.ie 📲 Follow Chadwicks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwicks_ie/ 📲 Follow Chadwicks on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chadwicksie   📲 Follow Donncha O’Callaghan: https://www.instagram.com/donnchaocallaghan/ 📲 Follow Alan Quinlan: https://www.instagram.com/alanquinlan6/ 📲 Follow Junior B: https://www.instagram.com/juniorbthings/   🎧 Listen on all podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.   📩 Drop your thoughts in the comments. What do you think is next for Irish rugby?

Under Construction with Chadwicks is back for Season 5 with host Donncha O'Callaghan! In episode one, Donncha sat down with Mark Coyle and John O'Sullivan from Shelbourne FC to dive into their incredible League of Ireland-winning season. They share insights on the team’s winning mentality, the hard work behind the scenes, and what it takes to lift the trophy. From key moments on the pitch to the bond in the dressing room, this episode is a must-listen.

In the season finale of Under Construction with Chadwicks host Donncha O’Callaghan chats to Irish heavyweight boxer and Chadwicks brand ambassador Jack Marley as well as the first ever Irish boxer to win Olympic gold, Michael Carruth. The episode launches as Jack completes his final preparations to compete on boxing's biggest stage and fight at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which begins later this month.  Jack, who began boxing at Monkstown boxing club aged 8 and is now 21, qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics early, and has been preparing to fight at the games by completing three training sessions a day, five days a week at the Sport Ireland High Performance Unit for months.  Michael, who during the episode reflects on his own experiences competing at the Seoul 1988 Olympics and at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, where he won gold aged 25, was described by Donncha as a ‘trend setter for boxing success in Ireland’. Michael’s advice for Jack ahead of Paris is to ‘focus on nothing but the matches’, and ‘believe that he can win’, as every boxer needs to.

In this episode of our award winning podcast host Donncha O’Callaghan chats to farmer and carpenter Glyn Egan (‘Sheep Shepherd’) and Munster Rugby Player John Hodnett about their experiences of modern farming life.  Glyn, who is an eighth generation hill farmer on the Cork and Kerry border, first worked as a carpenter in Australia and New Zealand, before coming home to Ireland to help his father run their family farm. Glyn and his father now share daily unique insights into Irish farming life with social media followers from around the world on Glyn’s Instagram channel. Glyn’s Instagram, ‘Sheep Shepherd’ is followed by over 110,000 accounts and is growing by the day.  John on the other hand, grew up on a farm, but is not ready to swap his rugby boots for wellies just yet! While he loves farming life, John’s focus is firmly on his rugby career as well as upskilling in his spare time, and is currently completing a welding course.

In this episode of the award-winning Under Construction podcast, Donncha is joined by mixed martial arts (MMA) coach John Kavanagh. Throughout the episode, Coach Kavanagh delves into the crucial role he has played in fostering the growth of MMA in Ireland, including his own journey into the sport, switching career paths from engineering to opening his own MMA gym, Straight Blast, in 2001. Referred to frequently as a pioneer for MMA in Ireland, Coach Kavanagh also discusses his experiences training some of the world’s most successful fighters from their first foray into the sport at Straight Blast to competing in some of the biggest earning pay-per-view MMA events in history. Donncha and John also discuss the importance of demonstrating resilience in the world of professional sport. Coach Kavanagh believes that dealing with losses can be tough for anyone starting in MMA, and he takes a considered approach for those who are beginning the sport. John encourages beginners to get out of their shells during training sessions which eventually leads to an overall positive attitude, allowing them to win, lose or draw fights and come away having learnt from each experience.

In this episode host Donncha O'Callaghan is joined by social media content creator James 'Protein Bor' Doyle and actor & comedian Joe McGucken. Throughout the episode James and Joe discuss their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of content creation in the digital age where people’s attention spans are so short. They also delve into the important topic of mental health among men and the drinking culture in Ireland.

During this captivating episode, Donncha O'Callaghan, Julian Benson and Dermot Bannon give insights into the challenges they have faced transforming a ‘period building that needs a lot of love and attention’ to a ‘home away from home’ for CF families. Dermot also shares his thoughts on the number of buildings in Dublin which should be ‘reused better’, saying there are some ‘great’ derelict buildings in the city that are not being repurposed successfully like they are in other European cities such as Barcelona and Paris.  Dermot believes that ‘a lot of the city of Dublin has fallen into dereliction’ and that in Ireland, ‘buildings are let go’ instead of being renovated to live up to their full potential. He says it only takes twenty minutes to walk anywhere in Dublin city centre before you ‘hit dereliction’ and that while it is ‘tricky’ to restore a derelict building, it is ultimately worthwhile. Dermot also speaks about the construction industry and believes that the government needs to do more to ‘protect skilled tradespeople’ especially at times when there isn’t work available for everyone. He also believes that there is a common misconception about careers in the trades industry, and that more needs to be done at second level, particularly through subjects such as engineering and wood technology (‘woodwork’) to educate students about what a career in the trades can look like.  Dermot shares the many positive benefits of working in different trades, as well as the skills it requires, such as creativity, problem solving, and teamwork. He feels that the government also need to ‘dispel the beliefs that some parents have about what education is’ and that completing third level education is a necessity, as it doesn’t suit all. Dermot Bannon also discusses the lack of women in the construction industry and how this issue could be tackled.

As part of our ‘How’s the Head’ campaign psychotherapist, broadcaster and author Richie Sadlier and comedian Willa White sat down with Donncha to discuss the topic of mental health. Throughout the episode, Richie and Willa explore the stigma surrounding mental health in Ireland, particularly amongst tradespeople, and openly share their own experiences grappling with mental health issues. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this podcast, you can find support at aware.ie or The Samaritans at thesamaritans.org, or call 116123. Construction Workers can also contact lighthouseclub.org or call 1800 939122, or text Hardhat to 50808.  Alternatively, contact your local GP. If you are outside the Republic of Ireland, please contact support organisations in your country.

In this episode host Donncha O'Callaghan sits down with legendary football figure Roddy Collins and Bohemians Football Club captain Keith Buckley to discuss the exciting resurgence of the League of Ireland. Throughout the episode, the lads discuss the league's evolution, its growing competitiveness on the European stage, and the key factors driving its rise. Roddy also takes listeners on a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recounting his experiences at the iconic Dalymount Park and discussing the redevelopment.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Donncha is joined by Tara Brennan, Head of Marketing & Development at Chadwicks Group as co-host and by guests, Director, CIF  Southern and Eastern Regions, Joanne Treacy and the Tarmacing Mammy, Shauna Doyle. Throughout the episode the panel   discuss the current state of diversity within the Irish construction sector, addressing both the progress made and the areas that still require attention. They also explore the hurdles faced in attracting more females to the construction industry in Ireland.

In this episode of Under Construction with Chadwicks, Donncha is joined by Cian Bonnichon, Sales Team Lead at Baumit as co-host and by guests, RTE 2fm presenter Carl Mullan & Interior designer and owner of the award-winning Coal Lane House, Stephanie O’Sullivan. Throughout the episode Carl and Stephanie discuss all things self builds and home renovations. They also share their experiences, challenges, and the joy of creating spaces that tell a unique story.

We love talking to people who get it done and Limerick Hurling Legends; Séamus Hickey, Shane Dowling & Tom Morrisey certainly know how to do that. The lads discuss the secret to Limerick's recent hurling success among other things. Host Donncha O Callaghan and Shane Dowling discuss punditry and tactics in hurling. The guys also discuss are Irish sports stars more comfortable being the underdogs? Does the tag of favourites sit heavy on the shoulders? We of course discuss the four in a row and the possibility of five in a row. The lads enjoyed our brand of pure site talk and hope you do too.

In Season 4 of Chadwicks' Under Construction podcast, Donncha O’Callaghan chats and has the craic with industry insiders, gets great tips on how to improve business and takes a peek behind the scenes at Chadwicks.

In the season finale of Under Construction with Chadwicks, hosts Pat and Donncha are joined by property portfolio developer and bestselling author of "Gaff Goddess" and "Décor Galore'' Laura de Barra and David Shiel, founder of YourRetrofit.ie, a free platform providing personalised plans for your retrofit to enable you to transform your BER, save on your energy bills & qualify for a green mortgage. Throughout the episode, Laura takes the opportunity to share her insights on the importance of embracing sustainable practices in our everyday lives. She challenges the traditional notion that DIY is solely for one gender and emphasizes the inclusive nature of her approach in "She-IY." David, the brilliant mind behind YourRetrofit.ie, is back to discuss his ground breaking platform. He discusses how personalized retrofit plans can significantly improve your Building Energy Rating (BER), reduce energy bills, and even qualify you for a green mortgage.

In this episode, hosts Pat and Donncha sit down with two incredible guests, Brian Pennie and Brian O'Sullivan. Brian Pennie, is a former heroin addict from Dublin who battled with addiction for 15 years and is now an accomplished author, public speaker PhD graduate and university lecturer. Brian O'Sullivan is a recovering addict from Cork who has had his own struggles over the years, been through the prison system but has changed his life around and is now a scaffolder. He also works with the Cork Alliance Centre – an organisation that provides supports for people during and post-prison. Throughout the episode, the two Brian's share their powerful journeys from the depths of addiction to the road to recovery. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this podcast, you can find support at TheSamaritans.org or call 116123. Construction workers can also contact LighthouseClub.org or call 1800 939122, or text “Hardhat” to 50808. Alternatively, contact your local GP. If you are outside the Republic of Ireland, please contact support organisations in your country.