Shows
How to be IrishWhat we used to eat, with Irish food historian Regina SextonSupport this podcast / buy me a coffee!In this episode, I chat with Regina Sexton, Ireland’s leading food and culinary historian, all about the history of Irish food.We chat about:Irish heritage dishes and the reason why we don’t seem to have as many as other nationswhy our cuisine is perceived as blandwhat we used to eat both pre- and post-faminehow the famine may have affected our eating habits and our relationship with food as a peoplehow, what and...
2025-12-1252 min
How to be IrishWhat do we not understand about the North of Ireland / Northern Ireland? with content creator Gemma McSherryIn this episode, Úna Harty interviews Gemma McSherry, a journalist, author and content creator from the North of Ireland. They discuss Gemma's upbringing in a divided society, her experiences with fundamentalist religion, and the cultural phenomenon of 'coffee shop Christians.'Gemma shares insights from her forthcoming book, which reflects on growing up in a conservative small town in the North. The conversation also touches on the complexities of Irish identity, the potential for a united Ireland, and the challenges faced by women in Irish society.Gemma emphasises the importance of u...
2025-12-0549 min
How to be IrishGrowing up mixed race in Ireland, with activist and author Leon DiopIn this episode, Úna speaks with Leon Diop, about his experiences of growing up in Tallaght as a mixed race. We cover race, ethnicity, family dynamics and class in this emotional conversation where Leon shares the difficulties he faced during his childhood and teenage years, and how he turned his life around, all while grappling with his mixed race identity.We discuss:Racism in IrelandHis relationship with his Senegalese fatherCultural and religious differencesHow fear is the greatest motivator
2025-11-2853 min
How to be IrishUnderstanding Irishness through our most iconic pop culture moments, with journalist Kate DemolderIn this lighter episode of How to be Irish Úna welcomes freelance journalist Kate Demolder to explore iconic moments in Irish pop culture from the 1980s to today, and how they shape Irishness and what it means to be Irish.From the bold actions of Virgin Megastore in the '80s to the unforgettable Sinead O'Connor moment on SNL, and the rise of Irish talent in the 2020s, Úna and Kate delve into the stories that have shaped Ireland's cultural landscape.Tune in for a mix of humour, history, and heartfelt discussion on what it me...
2025-11-2141 min
How to be IrishThe idiosyncrasies of Irish politics, with Dr Theresa ReidyIndependents, referendums, the single transferable vote - a few of the idiosyncrasies of the Irish political system that we sometimes take for granted.This week I chat to Professor in the Department of the Government and Politics in UCC, Dr Theresa Reidy, about the unique aspects of the Irish political landscape. Theresa is an expert in how Irish people cast their votes in elections and referendums.We'll cover:- The recent presidential election- Spoiled votes- Declining voter turnout...
2025-11-1449 min
How to be IrishHow and why the Normans conquered Ireland with Storytelling Guide Duane FitzsimonsIn this episode, we explore the rich history of the Lecale Peninsula with guest Duane Fitzsimons, who delves into the Norman invasion of Ireland, the significance of Dublin as a separate kingdom, and the historical importance of Downpatrick, County Down.The conversation also touches on cultural connections between Ireland and Portugal, the political landscape of Ireland during the Norman period, and the assimilation of the Normans into Irish culture.Duane shares insights from his personal journey through family history and offers tips for exploring one's own genealogy.
2025-11-0747 min
How to be IrishExploring Cork through Cónal Creedon's eyesIn this episode of How to Be Irish, Cónal Creedon, an award-winning novelist and filmmaker, shares his deep connection to Cork and how it has shaped his creative journey.He discusses the influence of his upbringing in a bustling family shop, the importance of storytelling, and his transition from documentary filmmaking to writing.Cónal reflects on Cork's cultural evolution, the significance of culinary traditions like spice beef, and the vibrant community that defines the city today.He also explores what it means to be Irish in...
2025-10-3140 min
How to be IrishHow we used to live, Irish social history and heritage with Deirdre O'Neill"We walk past remnants of our past every day without noticing." Our ancestors left echoes of themselves all around us, if we only know where to look and how to interpret the signs. These remnants lie all over Ireland, telling us of the lives they once touched and understanding their story roots our knowledge in the foundations of our society and the customs that have shaped the Irish people over centuries.This week’s guest is Deirdre O’Neill, author and creator of the hugely successful online project of the same name, ‘Remnan...
2025-10-2448 min
How to be IrishWriting women into Irish history with Clodagh FinnHave you ever heard of Clothilde Graves? What about Sister Concepta? Roesia de Verdun? Or how about Lady Ranelagh?These are just some of the Irish women that journalist and bestselling author Clodagh Finn has written about. In this episode of 'How to Be Irish,' Clodagh shares the stories of significant Irish women throughout Irish history, from the early medieval period to the last century.Clodagh’s books:Through Her Eyes: A History of Ireland in 21 WomenA Time to Risk All (biography of Ma...
2025-10-171h 07
How to be IrishReviving Irish historical stone lifting with Andy DownesIn the last four years, a quiet revival has been taking place: the revival of Irish stonelifting. Andy Downes is one of those who has helped to bring back this lost Irish tradition.In this first episode of Season 2 of How to be Irish, I speak with Andy of Irish Historic Stonelifting, who explains how he and others have rediscovered 47 stones in the last four years. Through analysis of the Dúchas archives and verification with local sources, they have managed to unearth a tradition that died out during famine times.
2025-10-1058 min
How to be IrishCan we decolonise the Irish language through music? with singer-songwriter Amano MiuraIn this episode of How to be Irish, I sit down with Amano Miura—a multidisciplinary artist, songwriter, and sean-nós singer from Killarney, Co. Kerry.
Born in Kyūshū, Japan, and raised in Ireland, Amano explores the thresholds where cultures divide or dissolve, weaving Irish and Japanese folk traditions with contemporary sounds across folk, pop, sean-nós, and spoken word.
We dive into:
Her journey into sean-nós singing and how she blends tradition with innovation.
How Irish traditional music and Japanese traditional music compare...
2025-01-101h 06
How to be IrishHow recession reshaped Ireland’s culinary identity, with food writer Sian ConwayThis week, I’m chatting with Sian Conway, an award-winning Dublin-based food writer, TikTok creator, and freelance content queen.
Sian brings her unique perspective on Irish culture, modern food trends, and life as a neurodivergent creator to this conversation.
We chat about:
Navigating Irish identity and building an authentic online presence.
The role of TikTok in self-expression, learning, and discovery in the digital age.
How social media has transformed conversations around Irish culture and current affairs.
Sian’s journey to freelance life...
2025-01-0350 min
How to be IrishReeling in the Year: Ireland’s Top News Stories of 2024, with Reporter Sheila NaughtonIn this special end-of-year episode, I’m joined by RTÉ reporter and broadcaster Sheila Naughton as we reflect on Ireland’s most impactful news stories of 2024.
From moments of pride like Cillian Murphy’s Oscar win to pivotal societal shifts such as the Stardust inquest and Ireland’s legal actions against the UK’s Legacy Act, this episode dives deep into the events that shaped Irish culture and society this year.
Sheila brings her expert insights as we discuss justice and accountability, political changes, and the resilience of Irish people in the face of cha...
2024-12-2053 min
How to be IrishHas modern life disconnected us from nature in Ireland? Rewilding our Irish identity with Soil BoyWhy is Ireland’s biodiversity in such a dire state? Are we projecting an incorrect image of our green nation? What would happen if we re-introduced bears or wolves? Why should we stop hiking and start exploring?
In this episode of How to be Irish, I sit down with Soil Boy to explore Ireland’s deep but often fraught connection to nature.
From the biodiversity crisis to the cultural significance of hedgerows, we delve into how Ireland’s green image contrasts sharply with the reality of our low forest cover and declining native lands.
Soil...
2024-12-1357 min
How to be IrishWhat does it mean to belong in Ireland? with Social Psychologist and Social Entrepreneur Mamobo OgoroBelonging is a fundamental human need—but how does this concept play out in the context of Irish society?
In this episode, I’m joined by social psychologist, social entrepreneur, and founder of Gorm Media, Mamobo Ogoro, to explore the nuances of identity, cultural belonging, and diversity in modern Ireland.
Mamobo shares insights from her research and work in intercultural consultancy, unpacking the linguistic and social dynamics that shape perceptions of inclusion and exclusion in Ireland today.
We discuss:
Why Ireland is a “peach...
2024-12-0649 min
How to be IrishWhat do the young people of Ireland want? General Election special with Jenny MaguireWhat is important to our young people as we head to the polls for the General Election?
Jenny Maguire is the President of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union, a union which represents nearly 20,000 students.
This episode discusses the power of political movements, transgender healthcare, how the Irish language is high on the list of priorities for students, and leveraging your Irishness for comedic effect.
Jenny shares her experiences as a trans woman in Dublin attending an all-boys school, why transgender healthcare in Ireland is one of the worst in the EU, and why Iri...
2024-11-2942 min
How to be IrishFaeries, Druids, Tombs and Stone Circles: The Magic of Ireland with Bobbo the BardWhat does an interaction with an Irish fairy look and feel like? How do we connect with Ireland’s Neolithic and sacred sites? Were our ancestors supernatural beings?
We’re ten episodes in and this one will definitely get you thinking!
Bobbo the Bard is a musician, poet, and author who travels around Ireland, connecting with ancient sacred sites. Through these experiences, he has had multiple interactions with the otherworld.
Bobbo chats to me about how he connects to our Neolithic tombs, cairns and stone circles through sound healing, meditation and following his path...
2024-11-221h 03
How to be IrishHas the decline of the Irish language led to a loss of Irish identity? with Saoirse GaretWhy did the Irish language start to decline? Why should we be interested in learning Gaeilge? How can you go about bringing more Irish into your everyday life?Saoirse Garet is a voice facilitator and accent coach who has recently researched the Irish language and vocal identity. In this episode, Saoirse and I discuss how the loss of Irish has affected Irish vocal identity in our connection to our bodies, our minds and ourselves.We cover:The current revival of the Irish languageHow a...
2024-11-1554 min
How to be IrishAre the Irish still battling intergenerational trauma? Our deep sadness with The Mindful Physio Caoimhe GibneyAre the Irish repressed emotionally? How has our history impacted our soma? How are the young people in Ireland working to heal themselves for their future ancestors today?
Caoimhe Gibney, aka The Mindful Physio and founder of the ANAM Collective, facilitates and runs healing retreats. Through her work with Irish people, she has discovered that we all hold a deep sadness within ourselves.
In this episode, we explore the impact of intergenerational trauma on the bodies and lives of the Irish, and how young Irish people are doing the work to heal themselves.
...
2024-11-0858 min
How to be IrishHow much has Irish Society changed since the 1950s? with Feminist and LGBTIQA Campaigner Ailbhe SmythWhy did Ireland undergo so much societal change in the 1990s and 2000s? What was it like to be a young woman or a member of the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland in the late 20th century? What are the issues we should be focusing on next in Irish society?
Ailbhe Smyth is an LGBTIQA and feminist activist, campaigner. She was co-director of the Together for Yes campaign to repeal the 8th amendment in 2018, and an academic at UCD where she founded and directed the Women's Studies programme.
Join us in the How to be Irish...
2024-11-0153 min
How to be IrishWhat if Ireland was never colonised? Irish Mythology and Ancient Irish People with Emilie O'DriscollWho are the people of Ireland?
How did they spend their days hundreds and thousands of years ago?
How were they perceived and what beliefs did they have?
Emilie O’Driscoll is a content creator who focuses on the topic of the ancient Irish people and their mythology. Join us in the How to be Irish studio this week where we discuss:
What Ireland looked like before colonisation.
Where Halloween gets its origins.
Whether Christianity was a good thing for Ireland or not.
How Irish pe...
2024-10-2550 min
How to be IrishHealing through Creativity with Writer Daragh FlemingTW for this episode: Suicide, Mental Illness
Daragh Fleming is a multi-award-winning poet and author who uses his art to explore and heal mental health and mental illness.
Daragh shares his deeply personal journey, starting with the devastating loss of his best friend to suicide at age 17, and continuing through his own struggles with depression in his early 20s.
He opens up about how writing became his lifeline, offering an outlet for expression in a society that often stigmatises men's mental health.
We also dive into some gripping personal stories, including...
2024-10-181h 00
How to be IrishWhy are the Irish Obsessed with Emigration with Hannah NashHannah Nash is the host of Greener Fields, a podcast about the realities of life in your 20s and 30s, a time often associated with emigration for Irish people.
Having recorded nearly 90 episodes (and counting), Hannah reflects on what she has learned from speaking to so many young Irish people and their choice to emigrate, come home or stay in Ireland, a choice that is often the least likely!
In this episode, we discuss the meaning of home, mental health and wellbeing, the decline in drinking culture and the rise of the sober movement, as well as...
2024-10-1156 min
How to be IrishFrom Palestine to Pallasgreen, Building a Better World with Rob O'DonnellRob O’Donnell is an exciting new voice on the Irish political scene. He’s a Green Party candidate for Limerick County.
In this episode, we chat about climate change and our supposed grá for the land (road frontage etc.!), about local politics and the shift we’re noticing in how people perceive rural Ireland and the Irish language since the pandemic.
Rob also spent time volunteering in the West Bank. It’s where he met his Palestinian dog, Yasser. We chat about his time there and the human rights abuses he witnessed by the Israeli s...
2024-10-041h 00
How to be IrishIrish Republicanism, the Art of Storytelling and Guinness with NYC Cabbie John McDonaghJohn McDonagh is quite the character. He’s an Irish-American born in New York, went to school and lived in Donegal for periods of his life and had been driving a yellow taxi for the past 40 years.
His colourful background in the arts and political activism has left him with a treasure trove of stories about the FBI, Guinness and the Troubles.
John has kindly joined me for my first-ever chat for ‘How to be Irish’ where he gives his insight on the North during the Troubles, the perception of Irish Republicans in the US and th...
2024-09-2752 min
How to be IrishClimbing the Mountain of Life with Explorer Pat FalveyPat Falvey is a world record-breaking Irish explorer, having been the first person to climb the highest Seven Summits of the world, twice! His journey starts from a council house in the Northside of Cork City, where he watched planes taking off and landing at Cork airport.
He was a dreamer who went on to achieve his dreams such as climbing Mount Everest, leading great expeditions to some of the most extreme corners of our globe, and learning life's most important lessons from the remotest of tribes.
In this episode, Pat talks about growing up...
2024-09-2058 min
How to be IrishWhat is 'How to be Irish?' (Intro)To be Irish, is to be from the island of Ireland. Or so Google tells me. But have you ever considered what Irishness means to you?
I’m your host, Úna Harty, and I’m super curious about Irishness in the context of modern society. I’m so excited to be chatting to load of wonderful and wacky Irish personalities on this brand new podcast.
I want to go beyond the Book of Kells, the sraithphictiúrí and even Cheese and Onion Tayto kinds of Irishness. I’m going to be talking to Irish people who...
2024-09-1801 min
greener fieldslife in spain & more with Úna HartyDuring this week's episode of greener fields, Hannah chat's with Úna Harty from Co. Limerick in Ireland.
Having grown up in Limerick, Úna moved to Dublin for college and lived and studied in the city for 8 years before deciding to pack up her life to go traveling. From here Úna complete a section of the Camino, travelled around Asia and ended up in Valencia in Spain where she now lives. During this conversation Úna speaks about how she made the most of her time in college, her Covid catalyst, her different peaks and pits of h...
2024-04-081h 10
Partiture D'EuropaBelfastQuesta puntata ci porta a Belfast, capitale dell’Irlanda del Nord ricca di storia e nota soprattutto per il suo carattere industriale. Centro dell'industria del lino, tanto da meritare il nome di Linenopolis, ospitò nel suo porto la costruzione del Titanic, il più celebre e sfortunato transatlantico della storia. Belfast ha vissuto, tra fine ‘70 e ‘90, gli anni terribili del conflitto tra unionisti e nazionalisti.
Sul piano musicale è un crocevia di varie tendenze che affondano le radici nel patrimonio popolare, tanto da essere definita l’Atene d’Irlanda. Dalle influenze celtiche al romanticismo britannico, dallo spiritualismo anglicano al modernismo novecentesco. Tra i suoi composito...
2022-12-0659 min
El Segundo MensajeroE10: Psicobióticos (con Andrea Arriaga)Todos tenemos la idea de que los microbios solo están en la tierra para producir enfermedades, pero quizá las bacterias que viven dentro de nosotros sean la clave para una mejor salud mental. En el episodio de esta semana me acompaña la nutrióloga Andrea Arriaga para platicar sobre probióticos y psicobióticos.
Sigue a Andrea en Instagram: @nutricionalmente.mex
Las imágenes relacionadas con el episodio están en instagram: @elsegundomensajero
Este episodio de El Segundo Mensajero es una co-producción con Ducky Audio: jahzeelmartinez014@gmail.com
Fuentes:
Lake JI, Heuckeroth RO. Enteric nervous system development: migration, diffe...
2021-08-0347 min
MONTSERRATAn angel called charlotte church. arias clasicas y canciones tradicionales por una soprano de 12 aÑos.UN ANGEL LLAMADA CHARLOTTE CHURCH, O COMO CANTA UNA SOPRANO DE 12 AÑOS, ARIAS CLASICAS Y CANCIONES TRADICIONALES.
NACIO EN GALES Y HOY TIENE 26 AÑOS. MUCHAS DE ESTAS CANCIONES LAS GRABO CON 12 Y 13 AÑOS.
TEMAS DE HOLST, DELIBES, SATIE, WEBBER, FRANCK, ORFF, MALOTTE, PARRY, CACCINI, MAWBY, HARTY, OFFENBACH, GERSHWIN, ROSSINI, BIZET O BERNSTEIN.
2012-04-221h 02