Irish Stew Podcast

When you have a good story to tell, why not invite the world?For our Lost In Belfast series finale, we convene in the Titanic Hotel's grand vaulted hall, where the ill-fated ship was designed. Hundreds have gathered from across local communities and from around the globe for the Belfast International Homecoming—civic leaders, elected officials, business executives, investors, entrepreneurs, culture makers…and two peripatetic podcasters.Co-host and a Belfast Homecoming Ambassador himself, John Lee spoke with the event's creator Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, a former Lord Mayor, long-time publisher, and Irish Stew alum and Connla McCann, who organizes this and many other high-profile events on both sides of the Atlantic as co-founder and director of Aisling Events.We glean their insights on the purpose, evolution, outcomes, and future of this much anticipated annual event (returning Sept. 25, 2025), and grab soundbites from Dan Dennehy--VP Council for American Ireland Relations, Bryan O'Dwyer, a New York lawyer dedicated to advancing Ireland's cause in the United States, and Smuggling Nun Poitín's Maura Clare, another past Irish Stew guest and a 2024 Belfast Homecoming Ambassador.We also heard about the Homecoming's sister event, the New York New Belfast Luncheon Conference, coming to the stately New York Athletic Club on Thurs., June 12. See the link below for last-minute tickets!So, we are lost no more—we found our way home to Belfast.We thank Tourism Ireland for all their support and Máirtín and Connla for inviting us to the Belfast Homecoming!Links2025 New York New Belfast Conference - Thu, Jun 122025 Belfast International Homecoming - Thu, Sep 25Aisling EventsMáirtín Ó MuilleoirLinkedInTwitter/XFacebookEarlier Irish Stew episodeConnla McCannLinkedInFacebookEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 21; Total Episode Count: 124

In the 10th episode of the Irish Stew Podcast's Lost in Belfast series, host Martin Nutty sits down with poet Linda McKenna. Together, they discuss poetry, history, and forgotten voices of Irish history.Linda's path to poetry began almost by accident, but her talent was apparent, confirmed when she received the prestigious 2018 Seamus Heaney Award for New Writing. Recording from the Observatory room at Belfast's Grand Central Hotel, Linda opens up about her unique approach to poetry, drawing inspiration from historical archives and fragmentary records to illuminate the often-overlooked stories of women throughout history.During this compelling discussion, Linda reads excerpts from her acclaimed collection Four Thousand Keys and offers insights into her upcoming work, which seeks to recover and amplify voices from Ireland's 1798 rebellion. Her poetry serves as both historical excavation and artistic expression, breathing life into stories that might otherwise remain buried in dusty archives.Join Martin and Linda for a conversation that connects past and present, exploring how poetry can serve as a bridge between forgotten histories and contemporary understanding.LinksLinda McKenna page at Doire PressTwitterFacebookBooksFour Thousand KeysIn the Museum of Misremembered ThingsEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 20; Total Episode Count: 123

In this episode of Irish Stew, host Martin Nutty connects with key figures from Solas Nua, a dynamic Washington, D.C.-based arts organization devoted to contemporary Irish culture. Recorded during the Capital Irish Film Festival, the conversation features:Kate Meenan-Waugh, Board Co-ChairAndrew Dolan, Executive DirectorRex Doherty, Artistic Director of TheaterKate recounts her Irish upbringing, her background in education, and the path that led her to Solas Nua. Andrew delves into the opportunities and hurdles of running an arts organization without a permanent venue, highlighting the power of partnership-driven programming. Rex shares his journey of reconnecting with Irish heritage and describes how Solas Nua nurtures the growth of Irish theater and artists.Together, they explore Solas Nua's mission to promote Irish voices, innovative approaches to community engagement, and upcoming initiatives, including events spotlighting renowned playwright Enda Walsh.As Solas Nua marks its 20th anniversary, the guests reflect on the organization's evolving impact, the significance of cultural storytelling, and the enduring influence of Irish arts in the U.S.This episode is dedicated to the memory of Daniel Lee, the Irish King and beloved brother of John Lee.LinksSolas NuaWebsiteInstagramTwitter (X)FacebookEnda Walsh Festival - June 21 - 22Kate Meenan Waugh - Board Co-ChairProfile at Solas NuaAndrew Dolan - Executive DirectorLinkedInNEA - Artful Life InterviewRex DaughteryWebsiteLinkedInEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 19; Total Episode Count: 122

Join us in jail, or is it gaol, as in the Crumlin Road Gaol, the last Victorian era prison relic in Northern Ireland, now being put to better use as the home of the Belfast Distillery Company, working to revive the classic old McConnell's Whisky brand and creating a major new hospitality and tourist attraction in the process.We stop for “just the one” in this all-too brief episode, where CEO John Kelly lays out the twin goals for the distillery: “Restore the legend of McConnell's Irish Whisky that was and will be again, and bring distilling back to Belfast.”The 22-year veteran of Guinness and Diageo knows the spirits industry…and the neighborhood, having gone to school just over the prison wall, back in the bad old days of the Crumlin Road Gaol.John shares insights on why Irish whiskey lost favor, how it is now roaring back, and the immersive experiences drawing visitors to this dramatic new distillery.And BTW—it isn't a typo—McConnel's spells it “whisky” without the “e”.Links:McConnell's WhiskyWebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitter (X)LinkedInYouTubeJohn KellyLinkedInEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 18; Total Episode Count: 121

When you're in a UNESCO City of Music, you expect to hear some great sounds, which we did when we found our way to the Duncairn Centre for Culture & Arts to hear the Belfast singer, songwriter, performer, and musical explorer Suzanne Savage.Hooked at age seven by an Ulster Orchestra concert, she picked up a violin at age eight. Within a few years, she was practicing classical music by day and gigging with Belfast bands by night.Suzanne talks about her deep connections with Belfast and its music scene, her varied musical influences, and how she balances her artistic endeavors with practical considerations. Suzanne tells of her jazz influences, international experiences, noteworthy performances, and the important community initiatives she supports in Belfast.In the Duncairn concert, she was backed by her Savage Five string ensemble for an evening of her contemporary art songs, a reminder that there's more than Trad to be had in the first UNESCO City of Music on the island of Ireland.Join us for a journey through the marvelous musical landscape of the stellar Suzanne Savage!And thanks to the Belfast Music Society for their warm welcome.LinksSuzanne SavageFacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitter/XBandcampYouTubePerformance: Singing Leonard Cohen with RTÉ Concert Orchestra Savage FiveWebsiteFacebookSeamus Plug - The People's Kitchen, BelfastFacebookAlbum: Kindness on the StreetsThe Duncairn Centre for Arts & CultureWebsiteFacebookEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 17; Total Episode Count: 120

This episode of the Irish Stew Podcast  features a discussion with documentary filmmaker Alan Gilsenan  and journalist John Walsh about their film 'The Irish Question.' The film delves into the recent history of Ireland, the partition between North and South, and contemplates the concept of a United Ireland in the post-Brexit era. The conversation highlights the impact of Brexit, economic and cultural complexities, and the fragile peace established by the Good Friday Agreement. The episode also touches on the importance of Truth and Reconciliation as a foundational step towards any potential unification. Recorded at the Capital Irish Film Festival in association with Solas Nua, this discussion pays homage to diverse Irish identities and urges a deeper conversation on Ireland's future.LinksThe Irish Question (Trailer)Alan Gilsenan - DirectorWebsite: Yellow AsylumWikipediaTwitter / XJohn Walsh - WriterLinkedInBlueSkySolas NuaWebsiteEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 16; Total Episode Count: 119

Former champion boxer John Duddy from Derry and one-time construction worker Newry's own Ciaran Byrne share their unlikely paths to acting on stage and in film in part two of our first live podcast recording for Origin Theatre's 1st Irish Festival.The two friends delve into how their life experiences inform their performances, personal traumas from The Troubles, and the critical role of theater in post-conflict healing and education. Sharing compelling narratives throughout, Ciaran and John underscore the significance of their Northern Irish roots and the transformative power of storytelling, but don't stint on the Irish craic.Massive thanks to Origin's Theatre's artistic director Mick Mellamphy (who we featured in this 2023 episode) for envisioning our live podcast event and curating our stellar guest list, to the Northern Ireland Bureau for their generous support, to Bill Schultz for recording and editing the episodes, and to Jimmy and the crew at Ryan's Daughter for their above-and-beyond hospitality.LinksCiaran ByrneWebsiteIMDbXInstagramLinkedInFacebookJohn DuddyIMDbInstagramFacebookLinkedInOrigin TheatreWebsiteThe Northern Ireland BureauWebsiteEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 15; Total Episode Count: 118

After Origin Theatre's artistic director Mick Mellamphy welcomes our paying (!) audience to the 1st Irish Festival's first live podcast event, we introduce theatre makers, Derry's own Labhaoise Magee of Fair Play Productions and Big Telly Theatre's Crissy O' Donovan who was raised in Dublin, worked in GB, and is now based in Northern Ireland.Fair Play brought Sinéad O'Brien's "storytelling masterclass" No One is Coming to Origin 1st Irish this year, while Big Telly staged the immersive Granny Jackson's Dead.Labhaoise and Crissy talk about their theatrical journeys, how storytelling can process collective memory, how theater can promote democratic culture in post-conflict Northern Ireland, and the transformative power of dramatic arts in fostering connections and understanding.Join us Upstairs at Ryan's Daughter for our first live podcast recording, made possible by the support of the Northern Ireland Bureau.LinksLabhaoise MageeIMDbFair Play ProductionsWebsiteInstagramXCrissy O' DonovanLinkedInBig Telly TheatreWebsiteYouTubeXOrigin TheatreWebsiteThe Northern Ireland BureauWebsiteEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 14; Total Episode Count: 117

We found the right guides for Belfast's burgeoning food and festivities scene in Michael Stewart and Caroline Wilson.Caroline is a lawyer-turned-serial-entrepreneur of food and drink experiences. She founded Belfast Food Tour, co-founded Taste and Tour, Ahoy Belfast, Fooday and Belfast Gin Fest and she's on the Board of Visit Belfast and The Strand.A well-known man about Belfast, Michael Stewart, spent close to 40 years in hospitality--and was he ever hospitable to us, helping us arrange for the lion's share of our #LostinBelfast interviews.A past president of the Belfast Chamber, Michael now reigns as Belfast's Night Czar, tasked with promoting the nighttime economy of the City Center, Linen, Cathedral, and Belfast One Business Improvement Districts.We met the mad duo at The Common Market, an indoor international street food festival, open to all--including dogs--in a cavernous old fruit market in the Cathedral Quarter, with our mics picking up all the background craic in this on-location recording session.There's a seat for you at the table, so join us!LinksMichael StewartBar CzarFacebookInstagramLinkedInCaroline WilsonTaste and TourXTaste and TourAhoy BefastInstagramLinkedInEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 13; Total Episode Count: 116

Join us as we get “Lost Outside of Belfast” when we take a 25-minute cab ride from the city center to Hinch Distillery in bucolic County Down. With Head Distiller Will Stafford as our guide, we explore the sensory journey of whiskey making from the meticulous process of mashing, fermentation, and distillation to savoring the heady aromas of the “angels' share” seeping from the aged wooden barrels shacked ceiling-high in the cavernous Hinch whiskey warehouse.Next, Claire McLernon guides us through a tasting of Hinch's range of whiskeys and its Ninth Wave gin, highlighting the different flavor profiles achieved through the distiller's alchemy and artistry.Founder Dr. Terry Cross then joins in to share what it takes to succeed in the increasingly competitive whiskey business and talks up the business opportunities he finds at the Belfast International Homecoming, a yearly marquee business event that your co-hosts attended the previous evening, which we'll explore in a future Irish Stew episode.Pull up a stool and join us for a happy hour at Hinch.Hinch LinksWebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInHinchDr. Terry CrossWill StaffordX Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 12; Total Episode Count: 115

We commemorate the 100th Anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby this week with Patrick O'Sullivan Greene, author of Gatsby: Death of an Irishman. Patrick guides us through F. Scott Fitzgerald's troubled Midwest upbringing, his quest for status, his ambivalence towards his Irish heritage, the sociopolitical climate of early 20th-century America, and the careless Jazz Age excess portrayed in Gatsby.Patrick peels back the intricate layers of Fitzgerald's character, revealing the underlying themes of identity and self-rejection in his work, his shifting views of Irish issues, and how his personal battles influenced his writing and contributed to his tragic life.The episode also touches on Patrick's own Irish heritage and his journey from business and finance to writing.We end the conversation as The Great Gatsby ends, with the novel's closing line, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”Links:Patrick O'Sullivan GreeneWebsite LinkedInBlueSkyXInstagramGatsby: Death of an IrishmanAmazonTheBookshop.ieEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 11; Total Episode Count: 114

In this episode of the Irish Stew Podcast, host Martin Nutty discusses his experience celebrating St. Patrick's Day at the American Irish Historical Society, meeting its executive director, Dr. Elizabeth Stack. Despite her success in revitalizing the society, news of her removal for cost-saving measures casts a shadow on its future. The episode reissues a conversation from July 2024, when cohosts John Lee and Martin Nutty met Dr. Stack at AIHS to discuss her background, her efforts in promoting Irish American history, and the Society's then-state. The conversation also explores the importance of storytelling, historical preservation, and community involvement in sustaining cultural institutions.LinksIrish Stew Blog Post, which will be updated as new information becomes availableTurmoil Revists the American Irish Historical SocietyElizabeth StackLinkedInArticles on the Latest Turmoil at the American Irish Historical SocietyIrish Echo: Firing and Resignations Rock the AIHSIrish Echo: AIHS Board Issues Statement After Firing, ResignationsIrish Central: American Irish Historical Society faces new "transition"Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 10; Total Episode Count: 113

Join us as Larry Kirwan spins us back to the vibrant, violent New York City of the 1980s and the lives of the mostly undocumented Irish who called a patch of turf there home, in his novel Rockin' The Bronx. Best known as the frontman for the legendary Irish-inflected rock & roll band Black 47, Larry delves into themes of immigration, Irish and Hispanic cultural intersections, the shifting fortunes of the navvies and the nannies, the unnamed scourge of AIDS, Reagan-era politics, and his creative process in writing plays, novels, and music. “I could tell you how to write a novel, and how to write a play, basically in five minutes each,” he says. “With songwriting, I still don't understand it. It's that moment when the hammer hits the anvil, and sparks fly.” Now the Wexford native is combining his songwriter and playwright skills in a new musical on labor organizer Elizabeth Gurley Flynn. And stick around for Martin's reading of a Rockin' The Bronx passage reminiscent of the closing section of James Joyce's “The Dead.” LinksBook Orders:Fordham University Press: Rockin' The BronxLarry KirwanWikipediaBlack 47Celtic Crush with Larry KirwanCeltic Crush FacebookPrior Irish Stew EpisodeEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 9; Total Episode Count: 112

“St. Patrick's Day Today, Hungover Tomorrow.”Seeing that slogan on a St. Patrick's Day T-shirt sent William Spencer Reilly on a mission to “reclaim the day” from negative stereotypes to what is best about Irish culture. So, he created the Sober St. Patrick's Day® Grand Celebration, a culture-rich, family-friendly, attractively priced, alcohol-free way to enjoy the “great day for the Irish.”We delve into Bill's life in theater production, how it served him in developing Sober St. Patrick's Day, the movement's early supporters including the Consulate of Ireland in New York, the event's growing success, the dangers of binge-drinking associated with St. Patrick's Day, the champion Irish musicians and dancers highlighting this year's program, and his plans for future Sober St. Patrick's Day expansion.As Bill says, “I'm not anti-drink, I'm anti-drunk. Sober St. Patrick's Day is about all the best things about the Irish, just without the alcohol.”As this episode drops, tickets are still available but act soon because the event sells out every year!LinksSober St. Patrick's DayWebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTubeWilliam Spencer ReillyLinkedInEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 8; Total Episode Count: 111

Join us in the Queen's Quarter at the former derelict buildings that Anthony and Andrea Kieran transformed into Belfast's stunning five-star boutique hotel, Regency House.Their story intertwines personal histories with The Troubles (including when Anthony was the victim of two bombings in one day in South Armagh), their serendipitous meeting in Washington, D.C., his work for NASA, their decision to move to Belfast, their unplanned venture into the hospitality business, and the peak experience of welcoming President Bill Clinton and Senator George Mitchell to their hotel.Bringing a platter of Belfast Baps for us, Executive Head Chef Michael O'Connor tells of his early cooking experiences in West Belfast, surviving the high-pressure kitchens of London's top chefs, the role of locally sourced foods in driving Belfast's restaurant renaissance, and the challenge of creating just the right menu for Regency House. And he's taken a shot at fast food with his signature Braised Beef Shank Burger—which takes two-and-a-half days to prepare!With a unique blend of American and Northern Irish perspectives, a commitment to personalized hospitality and community investment, Andrea, Anthony, and Chef Michael offer an intimate look at Belfast's past, present, and future, one that's ever more welcoming to visitors.So, join us in the President's Suite of Belfast's beguiling boutique hotel, Regency House.LinksRegency HouseWebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedInAnthony KieranLinkedInEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 7; Total Episode Count: 110

Join us for the first stop on Day 2 of our Lost in Belfast Road Trip as we visit the magnificent City Hall to meet Lord Mayor Micky Murray. The city's youngest and first openly gay Lord Mayor shares refreshing new perspectives on his changing city, saying “Where Belfast is now and where we're going is a lot more exciting than what's happened over the last 50 years.”The Lord Mayor talks about his political journey, Alliance Party affiliation, priorities in office, LGBTQ+ community efforts, and favored social justice initiatives such as addressing homelessness through the innovative Complex Lives strategy.The conversation highlights his city's growth, increasing diversity, and the exciting future he envisions for Belfast's people.Given that the Lord Mayor serves just one year, every hour is precious, so we much appreciate the hour he spent with us…and now with you.LinksBelfast City Council PageFacebookInstagramLinkedInXEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 5; Total Episode Count: 109

The third stop on our “Lost in Belfast” series is the city's oldest cultural organization, The Linen Hall Library, located in an 18th-century building across the street from City Hall and a reminder of Belfast's days as “Linenopolis” when it dominated the global linen trade.Our conversation with director Julie Andrews delves into the library's rich history since its establishment in 1788, its role as a neutral space for political and cultural dialogue, and its extensive collections, including its signature Northern Ireland Political Collection of ephemera and artifacts gathered during The Troubles. “Politically, we show no allegiance. There's something in our collection to offend everyone,” Julie says.She shares insights into the library's innovative projects, ongoing initiatives to ensure the organization stays relevant, challenges inherent in operating a not-for-profit institution, the library's community engagement, its diverse events, and potential future expansions. Join us at a beacon of Belfast history, The Linen Hall Library!LinksThe Linen HallWebsiteLinkedInInstagramFacebookYouTubeX/TwitterJulie AndrewsLinkedInEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 5; Total Episode Count: 108

For the 2nd year in a row, Irish Stew hosts Maedhbh Mc Cullagh, the director of the Capital Irish Film Festival, who discusses the festival's offerings, the audience's response, and the challenges and rewards of organizing such an event in Washington, D.C.Eva Birthistle joins John Lee and Martin Nutty to discuss her directorial debut, Kathleen Is Here, a gripping psychological thriller. The conversation explores the ideas behind the film, along with Eva's move to the other side of the camera.The episode continues with Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Mary Robinson's story is brought to life in Mrs Robinson and will be the feature presentation on the first night of the film festival. Martin explores the former president's early background and her current efforts to address the climate crisis through Project Dandelion.Film Links19th Capital Irish Film Festival -  (Feb 27 - Mar 2, 2025)Mrs RobinsonKathleen Is Here PreviewMary Robinson LinksProject DandelionThe EldersWikipediaEva Birthistle LinksWikipedia ProfileIMDBEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 4; Total Episode Count: 107

Gerry knows gin from his time behind the bar and from sipping his favorite tipple from the other side of the stick.But he found his perfect gin, though he could imagine just how it would taste, a taste he finally captured in his now award-winning Jawbox Gin.Join us as Gerry tells us how the idea for creating a gin just wouldn't let him go, the Belfast stories behind the Jawbox name and striking logo design, how he managed to time the Jawbox launch just as the gin category was taking off, how The brand has soared through “Graft & Craft,” the origin of his signature Belfast Swerve—plenty of ice, a generous measure of Jawbox, a wedge of lime, all topped with a key ingredient Gerry proudly says was invented in Belfast.He talks about the steady progress he sees in his city, how his hometown is becoming a “must-visit” city for tourists, the warmth they feel from the people of Belfast, and the “lovely new buzz in the city.”Our juniper-forward friend from the Falls Road closes with his ”Seamus Plug” for Belfast's amazing chefs and dedicated purveyors of fresh local food that have ignited Belfast's dining scene.All music to the ears of the folks at Tourism Ireland who helped make our “Irish Stew Gets Lost in Belfast Road Trip” possible! Chart your course to Belfast and beyond at https://discovernorthernireland.comLinks:Jawbox GinWebsiteXInstagramFacebookGerry WhiteXInstagramFacebookLinkedInEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 3; Total Episode Count: 106

Join us in the first leg of our “Irish Stew Gets Lost in Belfast Road Trip” in the vibrant Cathedral Quarter at its prime culinary destination Waterman House as we explore the recipe for restaurant success with Chef and Founder Niall McKenna.Niall dishes on his culinary journey from West Belfast, training under influential chefs like Paul Rankin, the evolution of his multiple restaurant ventures including James St. and Hadskis, and the buzz surrounding his Waterman House Cookery School.For Niall it's all about cooking with local ingredients, drawing inspiration from regional food traditions, unpretentious dining experiences, and a staff trained in the art of hospitality.The episode wraps with a deep dive into Niall's signature dishes (later sampled by Martin and John in a return visit) and his gorgeous new cookbook, What's It All About.Thanks to Niall for his hospitality and to Tourism Ireland for their unflagging support of our efforts to share contemporary Belfast stories with our Global Irish audience.Links:Niall McKennaInstagramFacebookLinkedInWaterman HouseWebsiteInstagramFacebookJames St.WebsiteInstagramEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 2; Total Episode Count: 105

Star Trek said it would happen in 2024, but for Paddy Cullivan, 2032 will be the year of Irish Unification. Through hot takes on Irish history and AI-fueled visions of Ireland's future, Paddy charts the course to unity in 2032 through his antic, visionary one-man show I Can't Believe It's Not Ireland, on the eve of its US Tour.Paddy is best known for fronting The Camembert Quartet on Ryan Tubridy's Tubridy Tonight and then The Late Late Show, playing with everyone from Sinead O'Connor to Russell Crowe to Michael Bublé. But he later shifted focus to innovative one-man multimedia shows, including Solutionism, The Joy of Brex, and his historical entertainments The 10 Dark Secrets of the Irish Revolution and The 10 Dark Secrets of 1798.In I Can't Believe…Paddy provides a fresh new interpretation of Ireland's past from St Patrick to partition and invites the audience to think big with him in envisioning a welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic future united Ireland. The US tour opens in San Francisco on Mar. 1, with stops scheduled for Kansas City, Portland, ME, Boston, New York, and more.Martin and John also preview their upcoming “Irish Stew Gets Lost in Belfast Road Trip,” featuring a dozen episodes recorded in and around Northern Ireland's rapidly transforming capital city. And do forgive them for a little humblebragging—they just got back from Dublin where they celebrated winning Bronze in the Irish Pod Awards Best Hosting Duo/Trio category and taking home the Gold as the 2024 Best Society & Culture Podcast.Open your ears to a new way to understand Ireland's past and future with this Irish Stew sample of Paddy Cullivan's I Can't Believe It's Not Ireland.Paddy Links:WebsiteTwitter/XYouTubeInstagramFacebookLinkedInEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 1; Total Episode Count: 104

Ted Smyth, former diplomat, C-Suite executive, and current President of the Advisory Board of Glucksman Ireland House NYU, returns to Irish Stew for a fourth annual end-of-year discussion on American and Irish politics.Topics coveredThe Democratic Party post loss of the White House and the US SenateThe US news media and the electionThe Irish election and the housing crisisIreland's diplomatic clash with IsraelThe return of the Northern Ireland AssemblyTed Smyth LinksWebsiteGlucksman House GalaLinkedInBlueSkyEpisode Details: Season 6, Episode 23; Total Episode Count: 103

Founded by actor/philanthropist Paul Newman in 1994 to “press play” for children affected by serious illness, Barretstown serves thousands of young people and families at its magical County Kildare castle and beyond with impactful programs across Ireland and the UK.Our guest Dee Ahearn has been the driving force behind the Barretstown success story, joining in 2010 as CEO after an international career in marketing and communications with a stint as chairperson of the Make A Wish Foundation Ireland.In this holiday episode Dee shares heartwarming stories of transformation, saying:“Many parents will say that when they're on the drive out the gates of Barretstown, the conversation with their children is when can we come back? Why do we have to leave? This is better than Disney World! And the teenagers want to know how quickly I can come back, what age I need to be to become a volunteer. ”But the serious fun of swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, arts & crafts, and putting on plays rests on a foundation of solid governance, a quality that attracted our additional guest Tony Dunne, Bank of Ireland's US CFO, COO & US Country Manager, to chair the friend-raising and fundraising-focused Barretstown Foundation USA. The conversation underscores the importance of community and international support, including the cross-Atlantic support from American families and volunteers, and wraps with Dee's invitation to you to get involved and help Barretstown provide even more “serious fun.” LinksBarretstownWebsiteDonateLinkedInInstagramFacebookYouTubeTwitterXTikTokBarretstown Foundation USAInstagramFacebook Year End AppealDee AhearnLinkedInTony Dunne, CFO, COO & US Country Manager at Bank of Ireland USLinkedInEpisode Details: Season 6, Episode 22; Total Episode Count: 102

In this episode of the Irish Stew Podcast, host Martin Nutty welcomes back Maurice Casey to discuss the exciting developments in his life since his last appearance. Now a Research Fellow at Queen's University in Belfast, Maurice talks about his first book 'Hotel Luxe, An Intimate History of Communism's Forgotten Radicals'. The book has garnered garnered critical acclaim and was shortlisted for an An Post Irish Book Award in the Hodges Figgis History Book of the Year category. Maurice shares the fascinating origins and research process behind 'Hotel Luxe,' including uncovering the life of Wexford woman May O'Callaghan whose sufragette origins led to a key position in post revolutionary Russia's Comintern. The story focuses on Moscow's delapidated Hotel Luxe in the mid 1920s and the network of revolutionary connections May O'Callaghan established at the eponymous residence. The episode explores the significance of these revolutionary lives in today's context and Maurice reveals his next project focused on a vegetarian cafe in 1930s London that was a hub of anti-Nazi activity.Hotel Lux LinksLinktreePublisher Page: Footnote PressMaurice Casey LinksWebsiteArchive Rats SubStackInstagramBlueSkyAcademia.eduLinkedInEpisode Details: Episode 21 of Season 6Episode 101 of Irish Stew Podcast

Only 11% of podcasts make it to episode 50 and only 6.4% get to 100. So, excuse The Stew if they're feeling a wee bit chuffed to drop episode 100 today.For this milestone show, co-hosts John Lee and Martin Nutty are on the receiving end of questions from Wexford's own, attorney Shelley Ann Quilty-Lake, who grills the pair on their four-year journey, their podcast concept, the show's evolution, their changing interview approach, and how they collaborate. They reflect on the podcast's dynamic guest lineup from astronauts to archaeologists, standout moments in the first 99 episodes, what they see as their role in the Irish diaspora, and share the buzz from their recent “Irish Stew Gets Lost in Belfast Road Trip 2024” (episodes dropping mid-Jan.), the first, they hope, of many road trips across Global Irish Nation.And they manage to humble brag about being on the short-list for three 2024 Irish Pod Awards—Best Society & Culture Podcast, Best Hosting Duo/Trio, and Best Editor (thanks to the Stew's secret weapon, audio guru and inaugural guest Bill Schultz).With thanks to Shelley Ann for her deft interrogation and deep appreciation for their intriguing guests and loyal listeners, Martin and John look forward to dishing out many more servings of Irish Stew for you.LinksIrish Stew Full Episode ListingTeam Irish Stew BiosBill Schultz EpisodeShelley Ann Quilty-LakeLinkedIn FacebookEpisode Details Season 6 - Episode 20

Cady Coleman splashes down on Irish Stew to help us explore“The Final Frontier” through the pages of her new book, Sharing Space: An Astronaut's Guide to Mission, Wonder, and Making Change.Part memoir, part chronicle of the astronaut's life, part manifesto for the power of mission, Sharing Space explores the significance of collaboration, diversity, and making the most of your missions in bringing people together to meet common goals. Through candid reflections and storytelling, “Astro Cady” tells tales that will inspire anyone, especially women and young people, to contribute to positive global change.Our episode launches in Ireland under the giant planet Earth rotating at the end of the Trinity College Library Long Room and later touches down in Ireland at its earthiest at the National Ploughing Championships.Join us on a trip from Ireland to the stars with the astronaut who played Paddy Moloney's tin whistle and Matt Molloy's flute while floating high above the Global Irish Nation in Space.Links:WebsiteSharing Space Book Site  Social MediaTwitter/XFacebookInstagramLinkedInSeamus Plug: Cady Coleman public speakingPrevious Irish Stew episode: Irish American Astronaut & MusicianEpisode Details: Season 6, Episode 19

In this special check-in episode of the Irish Stew Podcast, host Martin Nutty welcomes back author Cauvery Madhavan to discuss her new novel, 'The Inheritance.' Cauvery shares the inspiration behind the novel, which weaves together stories from the Tudor conquest of Ireland and the more recent 1980s. Set in the Beara Peninsula, a place close to Cauvery's heart, the book explores themes of history, place, and identity while touching on the struggles of everyday people during turbulent times. The episode provides insights into the writing process, the research involved, and Cauvery's personal connection to the setting of the novel.The InheritanceIt's 1986 and 29-year-old Marlo O'Sullivan of London-Irish stock has just found out that his sister is his mother. To steady his life, he moves to Glengarriff, to a cottage he has inherited, in the stunning Beara Peninsula. When a neighbour dies unexpectedly, Marlo takes over his minibus service to Cork. There is nothing regular about the regulars on the bus – especially Sully, a non-verbal 6 year old, who goes nowhere but does the journey back and forth every day, on his own. Marlo is landed with this a strange but compassionate arrangement, fashioned to give the child's mother respite from his care. Sully's obsession with an imaginary friend in the ancient oak forests of Glengarriff slowly unveils its terrible secrets – a 400-hundred-year-old tragedy reveals itself.LinksWebsiteThe InheritanceOriginal Irish Stew Episode (July 2021)

Healthcare thought leader Michael J. Dowling returns to Irish Stew to discuss his new book The Aging Revolution: The History of Geriatric Health Care and What Really Matters to Older Adults, the launch of Northwell Studios to tell stories that humanize health care, and why he sees gun violence as a public health priority.Last on Irish Stew in April, 2021, the Limerick-born Northwell Health CEO shares insights into the progress of geriatric healthcare, the societal challenges posed by an aging population, finding the one thing that matters to older adults, and the role of immigration in a graying world.“We all want to age, nobody says I don't want to get older. So, we should have respect for people as they get older because we will be there someday ourselves,” he says.Michael also tells how the new Northwell Studios will bring fresh storytelling to healthcare today, building on the success of the acclaimed Netflix documentary series Lenox Hill and Emergency NYC, and the Academy Award-shortlisted Covid-19 documentary The First Wave.We wrap with Michael's advocacy for viewing American gun violence as a public health crisis and how corporate America is embracing this new thinking.To catch Michale Dowling's infectious optimism, join us on this check-in episode of Irish Stew.LinksWebsiteBook: The Aging RevolutionNorthwell Health: Michael DowlingLinkedIn

John Connell traveled far from Ireland in his 20s, and early in his career, his work yielded accolades in journalism and filmmaking. Yet happiness and contentment proved to be elusive. Returning to the family farm in Longford, one of Ireland's heartland counties, provided a restorative space to pursue a career as an author. Three books followed, notably The Cow Book, which achieved critical acclaim; despite those successes, the way forward became unclear until an extended trip on the Camino de Santiago revealed the possibilities of another project that added deeper meaning to his life.Join cohosts John Lee and Martin Nutty as they talk with John Connell about his latest book, The Lambing Season, and how life as a shepherd revealed new truths and understanding of what it takes to live well.LinksSocial MediaFacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitter/XBooksThe Lambing SeasonThe Cow Book (The Farmer's Son)The Running BookThe Stream of EverythingSeamus PlugConor Hammersley

Our Irish Stew Drinks Party is back with PJ Rigney, founder of The Shed Distillery--home of the breakout star of the burgeoning Irish gin category, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, along with its Sausage Tree Irish Vodka, and Drumshanbo Irish Whiskey.The magic happened when PJ rolled the dice after an innovative career in the global drinks industry to strike out on his own.“To build a distillery is one thing, to create the product is another thing, but to create a way of communicating to consumers to build a brand is another thing entirely,” he says.PJ wanted his distillery to be in the wild, un-manicured heart of rural Ireland, a place of curiosity & inspiration, surrounded by nature, immersed in rich history. He found it all in the beautiful village of Drumshanbo Co.Leitrim, on the shores of Lough Allen, at the foothills of Sliabh an Iarainn (The Iron Mountain).His Shed Distillery is now a major contributor to the Leitrim economy and a draw for spirits enthusiasts and tourists worldwide.Join us as we explore the role of innovation and storytelling in spirits sector success straight from the curious mind of PJ Rigney.LinksThe Shed Distillery WebsiteX/Twitter  Instagram FacebookYouTubeLinkedInDrumshanbo Gunpowder Irish GinWebsitePJ RigneyLinkedIn

Irish Stew delves into the rich world of Irish American literature through the eyes and pen of guest John Kearns, a New Yorker by way of Philadelphia and a relentless storyteller in short stories, novels, plays, poetry, screenwriting, and song.Our conversation explores John's creative processes, the importance of maintaining cultural roots, the differences between Irish American identities in Philadelphia and New York, and his long run as the curator of the monthly Irish American Writers & Artists Salon. From an early age, he's always been writing, inspired by his family story, cultural heritage, and his deep connection to Irish literature.He shares the creative process behind his novels The World and Worlds and his play Boann and the Well of Wisdom, a poetic drama inspired by Boann, the Irish goddess of poetry who created the River Boyne. John talks about the challenges bringing Boann from script to stage and his satisfaction at seeing it take top honors at the recent Origin Theatre 1st Irish Festival.And John's taking Boann and the Well of Wisdom on the road, to Ireland. Catch it if you can!LinksJohn Kearns Social MediaFacebookTwitterJohn Kearns Publications Boann and the Well of Wisdom: Irish Tour FundraiserWebsiteFacebookJohn Kearns Books (Amazon)The WorldDreams and Dull RealitiesWorlds

In this episode of Irish Stew, hosts John Lee and Martin Nutty welcome Julie Breathnach-Banwait, a poet and child psychologist. Julie shares her unique journey from her Connemara home (Ceantar an nOileán) off the west coast of Ireland to the island of Tasmania off the south coast of Australia. Julie discusses her deep connection to the Irish language, her published works, her latest poetry collection, Split Bones (Cnámha Scoilte ), and her experiences living in Tasmania. She reads a poignant bilingual poem exploring themes of emergence and transformation. The episode delves into Julie's nuanced prose poetry, her creative process, and how writing in Irish helps her reconnect with her roots while living far from her birthplace. Julie LinksFacebookLinkedInInstagramTwitterXSplit Bones (Cnámha Scoilte )Publisher: Bobtail BooksAmazon USAAmazon UK

This episode of Irish Stew features an in-depth discussion with Dr. Elizabeth Stack, the Executive Director of the American Irish Historical Society (AIHS). Dr. Stack discusses her journey from Listowel, County Kerry, to her academic career in history and her role in developing the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany and revitalizing the AIHS. Recorded at the AIHS's historic Fifth Avenue headquarters in New York, the conversation delves into the importance of preserving Irish American history, the challenges of maintaining the society's landmark building, and the efforts to engage younger generations in Irish heritage. Dr. Stack also reflects on the broader themes of immigration and community integration, emphasizing the continuing relevance of these issues today.LinksElizabeth StackLinkedInAmerican Irish Historical SocietyWebsiteFacebookTwitter

In New York for the annual New York New Belfast Conference, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir swung by the Irish Stew Global Headquarters for a transatlantic conversation with co-host John Lee.In this episode, the Belfast Media Group and Irish Echo publisher tells of growing up during The Troubles, watching gun battles on his Belfast street, his move into politics, the less-than-warm reception he got as a Sinn Féin Belfast City Councillor, the superpower he discovered during his eventful year as the Lord Mayor of Belfast, and his tireless efforts to reach across divides, connect communities, and build bridges.“When I had to reach out to the other side--sometimes that was tough--but every time I did I was met halfway--not 50 percent of the time, not 70 percent--every time,“ he says. “Every initiative we did reaching out to the Protestant or Unionist people, they responded with generosity and grace.”He reflects on personal challenges, the conundrum he found waiting for him in the Lord Mayor's office, his fondest memory from his one-year term, the electricity in the air of the new Belfast, the ongoing need for social justice, the imperative to grow economic opportunity, the indispensable contributions of Irish America, and reason the Northern Ireland Hospice earned his “Seamus Plug,”And you'll hear the curious story behind the remarkable Robert Ballagh portrait of him that broke the mold in the “Dome of Delight.”LinksSocial MediaTwitter/XLinkedInFacebookBusiness InterestsBelfast Media GroupIrish EchoAisling EventsSeamus PlugNorthern Ireland Hospice

Vibrant Vivienne Sayers O'Callaghan is an Irish Gen Z entrepreneur, Irish language and culture advocate, and NYC social media influencer rapidly rising to the “top of the heap” as Frank Sinatra croons in “New York, New York.”Viv mixes lively chronicles of her New York adventures with spoon-sized servings of the Irish language and Irish culture, a formula which has earned her almost 40K Instagram followers while her 153K TikTok followers have given her posts over 2.3M likes!Originally from rural County Cork, Vivian tells of attending an Irish-language girls' boarding school, her foray into classical music conducting, how much she learned starting her own plant business, her inroads into the New York Irish scene, cultural adjustments she's made as a young Irish woman in New York, and the surprising response her Irish language content is getting from jaded New Yorkers.Her energy is infectious and once you catch the bug from listening to this lively episode, follow her antics and adventures on social media and enjoy the ride through Viv's eyes! LinksTikTok: vivienne_in_nyc Instagram:  vivienne_in_nyc Patreon: VivienneInNYCLinkedInFacebook

Is this one of our author episodes or should it fall into our Irish Drinks category because your co-hosts have grabbed a table by the pot-bellied stove at New York's legendary McSorley's Old Ale House for a conversation with author, cultural creator, and impresario Charles R. Hale.Charles is known for curating lively artistic salons, producing eclectic concerts, and presenting original performance pieces that blend music, imagery, video, and storytelling.We focus on his deeply personal new book Untangling the Shadows: Searching for the Voices of my New York Irish Ancestors. Part memoir, part family history, and something of a detective story, the book traces his search in New York and Ireland for the clues to “untangling the shadows” of his family's stories.Over light and dark ale, we delve into his Irish roots, family history, his unlikely path to a creative life, and the diverse art forms he explores.Why McSorley's? Charles wrote parts of his book at the same table we're sitting at, the place is dripping with Irish American history, and McSorley's has been the muse of artists ranging from famed chronicler of New York Joseph Mitchell to Ashcan school painter John Sloan. Everyone from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon has passed through McSorley's swinging doors since it opened in 1854. It remains a welcoming refuge where one good ale inevitably leads to another…if you follow their one golden rule:Be Good or Begone.We were—Sláinte!Charles Hale Links:Websites:Charles R. HaleSocial Media:FacebookFacebook group: NYC: Its Culture, History, Music, Theatre, Film, Art & People - hosted by Charles R. HaleInstagramBook Purchase Link:AmazonMcSorley's Old Ale HouseWebsite

Writer, performer, and force of nature, born Morag Prunty, but best known by her pen name Kate Kerrigan whisks us from London where she grew up with an Irish identity to Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way where she's living with an English accent.In this episode, Kate spins tales of idyllic childhood summers in Mayo, the dynamics of being Irish in England during the turbulent 70s and 80s, her challenges in navigating the complex terrain of her Irish identity, and her late-in-life recognition of the obstacles and superpowers in her ADHD.An in-demand London magazine editor despite dropping out of school at age 15, Kate became a successful novelist with the New York Times bestseller Ellis Island to her credit. Now she's taken her act to the stage, earning raves for her acclaimed one-woman show, Am I Irish Yet?, which dives into her “feels Irish but sounds English” dilemma in a performance resonating with audiences in Ireland, the UK, and from anyone not living where they were born.Kate's next goal is to bring this tour de force to the world's capital of people not living where they were born—New York City.Join us for a deeply personal exploration of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage, along with more than a bit of craic with the irrepressible Kate Kerrigan!Links:Websites:Kate KerriganAm I Irish Yet?Circus 250: Am I Irish Yet?Instagram:@katekerriganauthor @amiirishyet Other Social Media:FacebookTwitter/XLinkedIn: Morag Prunty

In this episode, cohosts John and Martin dive into the world of Olympic shot putting with their guest, Eric Favors, an athlete representing Ireland. Born and raised in Rockland County, New York, with a rich Irish heritage, Eric shares his journey from trying various sports to specializing in track and field. He discusses the intricacies of shot put, a sport that demands not just brute strength but finesse, technique, and a fine balance between power and agility. Eric also touches on the importance of understanding the technical aspects of shot put, his training regimen, diet, and the mental fortitude needed for competing at the highest levels. The conversation covers his personal background, experiences growing up in an Irish-American enclave, the evolution of his career, the challenges of maintaining an athletic lifestyle, and his aspirations for the Olympics. Additionally, Eric and the hosts explore the avenues of dealing with the pressures of professional sports, the rigorous drug testing protocols in athletics, and how social media and YouTube play a role in connecting with fans and showcasing the athlete's journey. The episode concludes with Eric's future plans, both within and outside of his athletic career.LinksYouTubeLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitter/X

Irish Stew goes to Canada for a most “Global Irish Nation Conversation” with Jackie Gilna, who's been Irish in Dublin, Spain, the Netherlands, and now she's Irish in Canada's capital, Ottawa. And through a new venture, she's Irish all around the world.Jackie launched We Are Global Irish this year to showcase Irish innovation, connect Irish businesses and organizations globally, drive opportunities to and from the island of Ireland, and to engage the Irish diaspora and anyone with an affinity for Ireland. Her “WAGI” platform is an online center for networking, collaboration, and commerce within the international Irish community.We Are Global Irish is a natural outgrowth of a career that included founding and leading the Irish Canada Business Council and co-founding and leading the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce.Jackie talks of balancing the Irish storytelling culture with the need for direct communications skills in international business, how “Plastic Paddy” thinking is “sand in the gears” for the Irish diaspora, the case for diaspora representation in the Oireachtas, and the bid by Chairman of New York's St. Patrick's Day Foundation Hilary Beirne to earn the National University of Ireland panel nomination to Seanad Éireann.Jackie closes with a heartfelt “Seamus Plug” to support your local hospice for children in Ireland or abroad. And she welcomes you to join the We Are Global Irish movement!Links:We Are Global IrishWebsite LinkedInFacebookTwitter/XJackie GilnaLinkedInTwitter/X

Settle in for a spirited episode of Irish Stew with two pioneering women in the Irish spirits industry, Alice Carroll--the proud Limerick distiller and co-founder of Foxes Bow Whiskey, and Maura Clare--the Queen of Poitín and creator of the Smuggling Nun brand.They swap notes on their journey into the spirits business, the challenges and opportunities of operating in traditionally male-dominated sectors, their innovative approaches to reviving and reshaping perceptions around Irish Whiskey and Poitín, how they crafted their distinctive flavor profiles, and the intriguing backstories of the Foxes Bow and Smuggling Nun names.The conversations delve into the unique qualities of their spirits, their signature cocktail creations, the importance of women in the evolving Irish spirits industry, and who they'd most like to serve their libations to. Paging Beyoncé!Join us for the story of two women forging ahead in the Irish drinks industry--Alice, gaining shelf space globally for Foxes Bow in a crowded Irish Whiskey category, and Maura opening new markets for a newly legal elixir with her Smuggling Nun Poitín.Sláinte!LinksAlice Carroll & Foxes BowWebsiteTwitterFacebookInstagramLinkedInMaura Clare & Smuggling NunWebsite TwitterFacebookInstagramLinkedIn

Michael Meade spent over 20 years on Wall Street and then stepped away from the pressured world of high finance to do something totally different. Some, in his circumstances, may have opted for plenty of time on the golf course and cracking open a few brews, that's not the kind of person Michael Meade is.  Intrigued by a visit to Ireland, Michael wanted to build a business that would connect to his Irish roots, work with a famous brewing dynasty, revive Ireland's oldest brewing brand and return beer making to Kilkenny,  the home of red ale.It has, and will continue to be, a journey for a son of Buffalo, one of America's most Irish of towns. Michael's partnership with the Smithwick family, the revival of Sullivan's Brewing in Kilkenny, an award winning beer developed by brewmaster Ian Hamilton, is a tale of both passion and the value in building a great team, that combination just might yield Ireland's next great export company.Michael Meade's LinksLinkedInInstagramTwitterSullivans Brewing CompanyWebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter

As Chief Executive of the Western Development Commission (WDC), Allan Mulrooney is a tireless advocate for the Western Region of Ireland, promoting social and economic development for the counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway, and Clare.Why go west? Allan points to the region's mix of the old and the new, how it fosters a work-life balance,  the contrast of beautiful natural areas and vibrant cities, its expanding broadband internet and innovation-spurring connected hubs--and some of the best surfing in the world!Growing up in Strandhill, just west of Sligo, Allan first paddled out into the surf before he was a teenager—the water was cold, but then the sport wasn't cool. It sounds pretty cool when Allan tells of traveling the world with a few surfboards and a guitar on his back.Talking to Allan, you see career threads spinning out in all directions—surf bum, web publisher, social enterprise entrepreneur, community advocate, business development executive, communications professional—and all those threads come together in his leadership role at the WDC, where he and his team work to tell the region's compelling “Work Smarter, Live Better” story.Join us as we head west with Allan for an audio tour of the scenic beauty, appealing lifestyle, expanding business ecosystem, dynamic innovation hubs, vibrant cities and peaceful towns, growing business opportunities, emerging career possibilities, growing economy, and all that's best about the West.But if surfing is your draw, Allan cautions it takes “more courage or madness” than he has to tackle the forty- and fifty-foot “mutant” waves off Mullaghmore Head!Links:Allan MulrooneyTwitter / XLinkedInWebsites:o   gostrandhill.com (Co-Founder at)o   gostrandhill.com/strandhill-indonesian-relief-fund  (SIRF Charity)Western Development CommissionWebsiteLinkedInTwitter / XFacebookInstagram

In the first of our “Irish Libations” series, we welcome Michael McKillop, who branched out from the 36-year-old Glens of Antrim Potatoes business to launch Glens of Antrim Distillery with its Lir line of Irish Whiskeys, amidst bucolic surroundings in Cushendall, Northern Ireland.We get a professional's view of the growing, shipping, and marketing of Ireland's favorite crop, and how his company is taking on the potato crisp business with its Glens of Antrim and Shindig brands with creative new flavors (Roast Beef & Mustard!) and packaging, including boxes and 10-pound bags!We learn how he revived the Lumper, the potato variety associated with the crop failure of “Black 47,” and how his Lumpers entered the curriculum of schools across the island in lessons about An Gorta Mor.Knowing it would be a gamble, Michael rolled the dice in creating his line of whiskey, with Green Crest, Red Crest, and Black Crest versions of his Lir brand, a labor of love, a tribute to his family's heritage, and to the stunning Glens of Antrim region.He rolled the dice again in planning a new distillery to strengthen the company's ties with the local community, create job opportunities in the area, and launch a new tourist destination. A handsome structure it will be, and after a long journey the project got the go-ahead just after we recorded this episode.Michael shares stories of why he hates sheep, his adventures delivering potatoes with his father around Northern Ireland, the business reasons for moving into whiskey, the challenges of launching a distillery, why he's committing to pot-still whiskey, and the benefits of the founders' cask trade.We wrap with a wee, warming, amber dram of Lir Green Crest. Sláinte!LinksMichael McKillop Facebook LinkedInGlens of Antrim Distillery WebsiteFacebookInstagram LinkedInGlens of Antrim PotatoesFacebook LinkedIn InstagramTwitterGlens of Antrim Crisps WebsiteShindigs Boxed Potato CripsWebsite

Launching Season Six, we go behind the scenes of the woman-strong Irish film Lies We Tell, a brooding tale of angels and demons, light and shadow, manners and mores, family secrets and family crimes, which The Guardian called “a tightly laced, elegantly cut gothic period drama.”A total rethinking of Irish writer Sheridan Le Fanu's 1864 novel Uncle Silas, the film centers on Maud Ruthyn, brilliantly portrayed by the rising young star Agnes O'Casey, great-granddaughter of the playwright, Sean O'Casey, who is trapped in the sprawling family estate Knowl (filmed at Ardgillan Castle in County Dublin) and by “the law being made and enforced by men.”The Guardian called her delivery “as sharp as a steak knife” and Screen International wrote, “A singular performance by Agnes O'Casey gives the pretty period piece a serrated edge.”Our episode starts with a prelude from Maedhbh Fiona Mc Cullagh, director of Washington, DC's Solas Nua Capital Irish Film Festival, which kicks off on Feb. 29th with Lies We Tell. Then Director Lisa Mulcahy and screenwriter Elisabeth Gooch talk about how they transformed a century-and-a-half-old Gothic period drama into a compelling woman-centered story relevant to today. We learn why Elizabeth found the 1864 Maude so annoying and Lisa talks about the budget pressures that led to the film's signature candle-lit ambiance, creating what Film Journal called “a tale of flawlessness and immersive beauty.”Then you'll meet Agnes O'Casey and hear about her UK upbringing, her Trinity College Dublin theatre training, her embrace of the Sean O'Casey lineage, her TV breakthrough in Ridley Road, her recent roles in films with the likes of Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates, Laura Linney, Stephen Rea, and a Cillian Murphy film yet to be released, and the challenges of being on camera in almost every scene of Lies We Tell.Join us to meet the makers and learn the backstory of the brilliant, woman-forwards Lies We Tell.Links:Lies We TellWebsiteIMDbAgnes O'CaseyWikipedia IMDbPortfolio ShowreelLisa MulcahyWebsiteIMDbTwitterElisabeth GoochIMDbMaedhbh Fiona Mc Cullagh LinkedInTwitterSolas Nua Capital Irish Film Festival

When we last talked with Dan Mulhall, he was Ireland's Ambassador to the United Stares. Since then, he retired after a 44-year career in diplomacy, but he's been busier than ever as we learn in this check-in episode with Martin Nutty focused on his new book on W. B. Yeats.Recent invitations to New York University, Cambridge, and Harvard, provided opportunities to engage with students and pursue research into Yeats, a poet that he'd turned to throughout his diplomatic career. Early on, Dan realized the power of Yeats's poetry, how the words of one of Ireland's most important cultural icons could open diplomatic doors that were closed to other nations.Dan's love of Yeats's words and his understanding of the poet's role in Irish history is now told in “Pilgrim Soul: W. B. Yeats and the Ireland of His Time.”Join us as Dan explores the many aspects of the enigmatic poet's life and how his legacy continues to be relevant in a turbulent world.LinksTwitterPilgrim Soul: W. B. Yeats and the Ireland of His TimeUnited StatesIreland

With a computer programming background and an instinct for reporting, Malachy Browne is on the vanguard of a new form of data-driven news coverage that is revitalizing journalism.Co-founder and enterprise director of the New York Times Visual Investigations team, Malachy is pioneering the use of digital sleuthing, collecting and analyzing troves of video and audio, satellite images and other data, and creating 3-D reconstructions of crime scenes and geopolitical events to hold the powerful to account and deconstruct important news events.These efforts have earned two Pulitzer Prizes, an Emmy, and other top-tier accolades for Malachy and his team.Not bad for a Limerick lad from the village of Broadford, population 276!He'd earn his master's in international relations at the University of Limerick after getting his bachelor's degree in engineering at University College Dublin.Malachy tells of navigating between his core computer competency and his journalistic instincts (which he “blames” on his uncle, the legendary journalist Vincent Browne) which would lead him to Storyful, where he'd collaborate with past guests Mark Little, David Clinch, and others in creating the emerging innovative data-driven style of reporting.Join us for an inside look at the way Malachy and his team are telling the world's most critical stories—from the Arab Spring to the January 6th Insurrection—in an entirely new way. Malachy Browne LinksX/TwitterFacebookLinkedInNew York Times LinksVisual InvestigationsMalachy BrowneDay of Rage: How Trump Supporters Took the U.S. Capitol

Ted Smyth, former diplomat and C-Suite and current President of the Advisory Board of Glucksman Ireland House NYU,  joins Martin Nutty for a discussion on Irish and American politics. What does the recent November 2023 American mid term election presage for 2024? How differing are the American and Irish views on Gaza?  How should we understand the recent Dublin riots and the relationship between that violence and the competition for public resources?These are some of the questions asked in Ted's 4th appearance on Irish Stew and he tells us how he thinks the upcoming election in 2024 are going to play out on both sides of the AtlanticTed Links:WebsiteGlucksman Ireland House NYU Gala - March 5, 2024

Fin Dwyer of Irish History Podcasts pays a return visit to Irish Stew. We last hosted Fin two years ago.  Since then, Fin has continued to fascinate his listeners with in depth episodes on a broad range of Irish History topics.  Despite this frenetic pace, Fin has found time to publish a book titled:  A Lethal Legacy - A History of Ireland in 18 Murders. We'll be talking about two cases detailed in the book and what they can tell us about how Ireland has changed over the past 200 years. We'll also find out what Fin has in store for his listeners in 2024LinksIrish History PodcastA Lethal Legacy (Amazon)InstagramTwitter

Join us in a westward journey to the Irish enclaves of Butte, Montana and on to a chicken coop on Maryland's Eastern Shore as Marybeth Shea guides us along little-known paths of Irish migration and through little understood profession of technical communications.She describes herself as a humanist and cites her Catholic education, specifically with the Jesuits, as foundational to her worldview and her career.She's now a professor of English in the Professional Writing Program at the University of Maryland and a technical writer who draws on the Irish storytelling tradition to bridge the gap between scientific specialists and the rest of us. It was Marybeth's research for a technical writing project that took her into that chicken coop as part of her hands-on research to develop the storytelling needed to get buy-in from poultry farmers on ways to decrease their ammonia output. It's a wide-ranging conversation that adds to our understanding of the complexity of Irish immigration and the growing importance of effective technical communications.LinksUniversity of Maryland Professional Writing ProgramSeamus Plug: Ethnicity and Family Therapy

So why learn Irish?"Studies have shown that learning your native language, learning any language, but especially your ancestral tongue, brings feelings of comfort and freedom. And especially when considering our past and our heritage, learning Irish is very revealing and very healing," says our latest guest Mollie Guidera, the Irish language teacher for Global Ireland.She grew up “with Irish in her ears all the time” and gave her first Irish lesson at age seven to a visiting American cousin. And even though her Irish language school expelled her for uttering one sentence of English, her love for the language grew. She's taught over 6,000 students Irish online for a decade, currently through her engaging online global Irish language school simply named Irish with Mollie, a “blossoming community of worldwide Irish speakers, people from every background, every age, and just people who love Irish and are willing it forward.”Add co-host John Lee to the student roster--he registered after finding Mollie on Instagram and TikTok. With about 150,000 social media followers, she's a leading Irish language influencer, spreading awareness of Irish in refreshing new ways.“We're hearing the echoes of our parents and grandparents and Irish writers in the Irish sounds and in the syntax and in the words themselves. It is such a tender and humorous language, replete with poetry and magic. It brings to life so many funny and quirky kinds of realizations and revelations.”Join us for an episode of Irish language “realizations and revelations” with Múinteoir Mollie.LinksWebsiteInstagramTikTokIn the Irish Times 

Join us as we travel from Ireland all the way to New Zealand to explore a vision of Ireland from centuries ago in our conversation with Brian O'Sullivan.He's an author, cultural researcher, strategic analyst, and founder of Irish Imbas, the only Irish publisher specializing in fiction and non-fiction based on the ancient Irish cultural knowledge and belief patterns of authentic Irish mythology.Hailing from West Cork, Brian lived in the UK and France before following his heart to New Zealand which he finds “a bit more like Ireland, more comfortable, like a comfortable shoe.” From this distant vantage point, he's writing fiction that brings to life the Iron Age Ireland of Fionn mac Cumhaill, Liath Luachra, other legends from Ireland's deep past.His Beara Trilogy, Fionn mac Cumhaill Series; and Irish Woman Warrior Series turn ancient Irish cultural concepts into page-turning tales of action, adventure, blood, passion, and conflict.“You can't have a real sort of sense of where you are if you don't understand the context of how you got there in the first place. If you get your head around the history and the cultural belief systems, you'll get a much better perspective on where you are and where you could go in the future,” he says.For his Seamus Plug, Brian hopes you'll try his popular Liath Luachra series and watch for his work-in-progress to teach what mythology is, what it isn't, and how it can be personally relevant.Links:LinkedInIrish ImbasWebsiteBeara TrilogyFionn mac Cumhaill SeriesIrish Women Warrior (Liath Luachra) SeriesTwitterFacebook