Listening to Ireland

Since I'm experiencing Ireland through my own little neighborhood these days, I thought I'd share the podcasts I take with me on my walks. 

Blindboy Podcast

As he says, it is probably best to start at the beginning of his podcast a few years ago. He started it to promote a best selling book of short stories, and when his publisher told him he wouldn't sell any copies if he read them out for free on the internet, he just started talking about things that interest him: music history, how to achieve good mental health, Irish culture and history. After a few years, he started doing live gigs, and they're gas. I wrote about the one I went to. RTE listed this one first on their top five Irish podcasts, and I agree that the interview he did with Spike Lee is an excellent introduction. 

Blúiríní Béaloidis

Blúiríní Béaloidis / Folklore Fragments, used to be released monthly by the National Folklore Collection at UCD. It publishes less often now. 

History of Ireland

Each week Kevin Dolan releases a very short show telling an episode in the history of Ireland's independence from the UK.  It helps me understand current events and is relevant to other independence movements of the 20th and 21st centuries. I appreciate how he focuses on just one thing at a time. 

Irish History Podcast

This one has been online for more than ten years. Fin Dwyer has done series on the Black Death, Norman Invasion, The Great Hunger—and recently—Irish people who fought on both sides of the Spanish Civil War. He's a historian and you can depend on his well-researched and even-handed analysis. I went on a tour of north Dublin he offered a few years ago. 

Irish Times Women's Podcast

Been on my phone for ages; never listen to it. I think I can't get past the fact that it is sponsored by a chocolate company. Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy. 

The Irish Passport

Absolute favorite. A guide to Irish history, culture, and politics by two every smart and fearless reporters. They covered Brexit better than anybody, also accents, Derry, 1916, Fairies, the Catholic Church, and "the knowledge gap:" the fact that Irish people know British History, and British people don't know that Ireland is a separate country yet. 

Motherfocloir

I don't listen to Motherfocloir as much as I used to, as the hosts started getting a bit too self-righteous. The podcast is about the Irish language and therefore covers so much more. Don't let my lukewarm reaction keep you from it. 

Neil Oliver's Love Letter to the British Isles

This isn't an Irish podcast, and many people are sick of how Ireland is included in "British Isles." But the archipelago has a shared culture for thousands of years, and I learn things on Oliver's show that apply to what I experience here. Oliver is Scottish, and a popular broadcaster on BBC4. On this show, he's unleashed, and able to express his wonder at mystery, without ever leaving the firm ground of science. 

Shite Talk: An Irish History Podcast

It's like listening to two guys telling each other obscure history stories in a pub. They've been doing it for years. Last week I listened to a story from the War of Independence when a man discovered holy statues bleeding in his bedroom. The statues drew such crowds the town needed the IRA to collect tickets. Michael Collins got interested, and you won't believe what he discovered.

Story Archeology

This is another favorite that I've been listening to for years, but I heard they stopped because of illness and lack of technical support. Two geniuses, a storyteller and a linguist, examine Irish mythology and early literature.  Start with their series about Irish goddesses.