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Sinn Féin would likely be taking every opportunity this week to lambast the government in the wake of the budget and with a general election on the cards. Instead, it's being hounded for answers about a child sex abuse controversy in the north. It centres around former press officer, Michael McMonagle, who last month pleaded guilty to 14 counts in a Derry court, and who was given employment references by two party press officers while still being investigated by the PSNI. Now questions are being raised about who knew what, when, and why the information wasn't shared in line with child safeguarding best practice? Northern editor, Freya McClements, untangles the complicated timeline and explains why the controversy isn't going away.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ex-Wife, a 1929 novel by Ursula Parrott, about the failure of a young couple's marriage and the subsequent promiscuous partying of the wife in New York, was a huge bestseller when it came out. For many years it was out of print but has now been re-issued. Novelist and screenwriter Monica Heisey and American literature professor Sarah Churchwell judge whether it is one of the hidden gems of the jazz age.Moin Hussain discusses his debut feature film, Sky Peals – a meditation on alienation and loneliness set in a motorway service station.Doom Scroll: Andrew Tate and The Dark Side of the Internet is a new Sky Documentary which explores how social media is driving online hate towards women and minorities and causing real world harms. We discuss it with the film's director Liz Mermin and author Laura Bates, who wrote the 2020 book, The Men Who Hate Women.And, Freya McClements of the Irish Times tell us why Gracehill in Northern Ireland has been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List. Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Ruth Watts
Freya McClements, Northern Editor with the Irish Times speaks to us on what happened overnight while Estate Agent Robert McDowell tells BBC Ulster he's devastated after his business was attacked
Labour has won the 2024 UK general election with a massive landslide. Beyond that, huge shifts have taken place across the political map of Britain and Northern Ireland. To take a look at what has happened and what comes next, Hugh talks to London correspondent Mark Paul, Northern editor Freya McClements and Denis Staunton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
First we focus on political upheaval following the announcement that Eamon Ryan is stepping down as leader of the Greens. Political correspondent Cormac McQuinn provides updates on the frontrunners to succeed him, including Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Pippa Hackett. Then we turn to Northern Ireland, where voters will select their 18 Westminster MPs next month. Can the DUP hold onto its seats in the aftermath of the crisis surrounding Jeffrey Donaldson? Mark Hennessy and Freya McClements look at what really matters to voters in these elections and whether the issue of Irish unity is on the radar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mark Carruthers is joined by David McCann, Enda McClafferty & Freya McClements to assess the candidates running for Westminster in Foyle & East Londonderry.
Alex Kane, Lisa Whitten, Freya McClements and Pat Leahy joined Hugh Linehan in Northern Ireland for a live show at the MAC in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter. The panel discussed the shocking departure of Jeffrey Donaldson from the pinnacle of NI politics, how the political system has responded since, and what it all means for the future of unionism and the power-sharing institutions. They also discuss the importance of the "neither" voters, the price of reunification and the economic benefits of Northern Ireland's post-Brexit position. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Pat Leahy, Freya McClements and Mark Paul join Hugh to discuss the DUP's acceptance of a historic deal that allows power-sharing in Northern Ireland to resume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lough Neagh is dying in plain sight; the entire body of water has been contaminated by blooms of poisonous blue-green algae. How has it happened that the largest freshwater lake in Ireland and Britain has become toxic and, as Northern Ireland still does not have a working government in Stormont, what can be done to reverse this disaster?Northern editor Freya McClements visited Lough Neagh to talk to people whose lives have been impacted and to report on the deadly effects on wildlife and biodiversity and on the water supplies feeding into homes in Belfast and beyond. She explains both the cause and the effect of this toxic disaster.Eel fisherman Gerard McCourt tells In the News how his business has been drastically curtailed and Fiona Regan of DCU's Water Institute points to policy decisions around farming as key culprits in this year's Lough Neagh disaster. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In 1982, Emmett McConomy's brother, 11-year-old Stephen, was playing in the street near their home in Derry. A shot fired by a British soldier from an armoured car hit him in the back of the head; he died from his injuries days later. Emmett tells In the News about his family's decades-long fight for the truth about what happened to the child and how the UK government's Northern Ireland legacy Bill is a betrayal of justice.The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill is set to be passed into law this week and it will put an end to inquests and court cases – and includes a form of limited immunity for some perpetrators of crimes committed during the conflict. The Bill has been universally opposed by both sides of the political divide in the North and by the Irish Government and internationally in the United States, the UN and Europe. In the UK, the Labour Party opposes it. It is supported by the Conservative Party and the British military. Freya McClements, Northern Editor of The Irish Time, explains what it means – and what might happen next. Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Freya McClements, Northern Editor of the Irish Times, on the ramifications of serious data breaches by the PSNI.
We hear from Freya McClements, the Northern Editor of the Irish Times and speak to the Sinn Féin Policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly
Who are Sinn Féin and what really makes the party different, if anything? Who holds real sway within the party? What role do activists play, and who are its up-and-coming stars? Freya McClements and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to talk about Ireland's most popular party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Gerard Howlin and Freya McClements join Pat Leahy to talk about all the politics surrounding US President Joe Biden's visit to Ireland. The four-day tour gets going in earnest today with an address at Ulster University in Belfast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode is the second of a three-part series produced by Eleanor Neil, contributing editor at American Anthropologist and Anthropological Airwaves. From the African American Burial Ground in New York City to the memorialization of violence in Northern Ireland to professional archaeology in the eastern Mediterranean, Eleanor asks archaeologists with different regional and methodological specialties to choose a single object or site, and, in their own words describe how this this site or artefact speaks to the interaction between archaeology and political or social identity across time and place. In this episode, Dr. Laura McAtackney, discusses the materiality of violence and partition, the nature of commemoration and how archaeology of the recent past has an integral role in our understandings of politics, society and conflict. Dr. McAtackney is an associate professor at Aarhus University and her research centres on the historical and contemporary archaeologies of institutions and colonialism in Ireland. Further Reading: Flanagan, Eimear. “McGurk's Bar Bombing: I just want justice for my grandparents.” BBC News: Northern Ireland, 12 December 2021. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-59569348/. McAtackney, Laura. “Materials and Memory: Archaeology and Heritage as Tools of Transitional Justice at a Former Magdalen Laundry.” Éire-Ireland 55, nos. 1 & 2, (Spring/Summer 2020): 223-246. MacAirt, Ciarán. "Corporate memory and the McGurk's Bar Massacre: Ciarán MacAirt writes about the murder of his grandmother and 14 other civilians in a Belfast bar 43 years ago, and the families' on-going campaign for truth." Criminal Justice Matters 98, no. 1 (2014): 6-7. Justice for Magdalenes Research, an online resource associated with the NGO, Justice for Magdalenes. http://jfmresearch.com/aboutjfmr/ Transcript: www.americananthropologist.org/podcastseason-04-episode-04-archaeological-identities-part-two Close captioning: https://youtu.be/Ca8TmrXZ2jw Credits: Writing, Production & Editing: Eleanor Neil Production Support: Anar Parikh Thumbnail Image: Photo by Freya McClements for the Irish Times Featured Music: “Westlin' Winds” by Eoin O'Donnell Executive Producer - Anar Parikh Intro/Outro: "Waiting" by Crowander
A seismic election in Northern Ireland returned the pro-Irish unity Sinn Féin as the largest party for the first time ever. The Alliance Party, identifying neither as nationalist nor unionist, surged to become the third force in northern politics in another historic first. Desite this, the power-sharing executive has yet to be formed due to the opposition of the unionist Democratic Unionist Party. They are demanding changes to the so-called Protocol as their price of going into power, though many suspect that behind it lies an inherent opposition to allowing nationalists to take the symbolic top post of First Minister. It's propelled Northern Irish politics onto the international stage once again, with the British government threatening to break international law to get what it wants from the European Union. Naomi and Tim sum it all up, and discuss what comes next. Featuring guests Stephen Farry, a member of parliament and Alliance's deputy leader, and Freya McClements, the Northern editor of the Irish Times. To hear our bonus episodes answering questions put by our Patreon supporters, sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/theirishpassport You can follow us on Twitter at @PassportIrish
Freya McClements, Mary Minihan and Pat Leahy join Hugh to analyse the results of last week's Northern Ireland Assembly elections. The major talking point is Sinn Féin taking the largest number of seats for the first time, while the Alliance Party's unprecedented success signals the importance of the middle ground in Northern Ireland. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
On Thursday 5 May, voters in more than 6,000 local councils will go to the polls in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, the fate of the power-sharing agreement is at stake as voters elect a new Assembly. On the Sky News Daily podcast, Niall Patterson is joined by Sky's deputy political editor, Sam Coates, and Freya McClements, Northern Editor for the Irish Times, to explore the national impact of these elections. Daily podcast team: Editor: Philly Beaumont Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott
Una Kelly speaks to people in Derry about what issues concern them ahead of the election while Freya McClements, Irish Times, and Damian Mullen, Northern Ireland Commentator discuss the expected outcomes.
Next weekend, French voters decide whether Emmanuel Macron should remain president or Marine Le Pen should replace him. The latter result would transform France and Europe. Next month, Northern Irish voters elect their MLAs in a vote that could see a Sinn Féin First Minister appointed for the first time. Freya McClements and Lara Marlowe report on these two consequential campaigns. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jan Carson talks to Borderlines hosts Freya McClements and Mary Minihan about her rural Protestant evangelical background. The writer, whose grandfather was an Orangeman, explains how her latest novel The Raptures was inspired by the Co Antrim community she grew up in. She says Brexit “kicked off” at the same time as her writing career and was one reason why she applied for an Irish passport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Author Séamas O'Reilly talks to Borderlines hosts Freya McClements and Mary Minihan about growing up with his 10 siblings on the Border between Derry in Northern Ireland and Donegal in the Republic when the Troubles were on the wane.The writer also reflects on the "bittersweet" experience of writing his bestselling memoir Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? as he unearthed new memories about his mother in the course of his research. He was five when she died. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Writer Rosemary Jenkinson talks to Borderlines hosts Freya McClements and Mary Minihan about her very British upbringing in Northern Ireland, the awkward facts of history and how a trip to Palestine changed her perspective. The author recalls how the Troubles touched her childhood and her shock at being described as a “Paddy” when she moved to England to study. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Undertones bass guitarist Mickey Bradley talks to Borderlines hosts Freya McClements and Mary Minihan about his favourite music, appearing on Top Of The Pops and the post-Brexit reality of life in Derry. The presenter of The Mickey Bradley Record Show on BBC Radio Ulster also speaks about how a loyalist paramilitary death threat stopped The Clash performing in Derry at the height of the Troubles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Isabel Allende was born in Peru in 1942 and raised in Chile. Most famous for her novel The House of the Spirits, her works have been both bestsellers and critically acclaimed, translated into more than forty-two languages and selling more than seventy-five million copies worldwide. Her latest book, Violeta, is a fictional account of one woman's life through an extraordinary century of history. Isabel talks about her life, her special relationship with her mother and her pursuit of equality. Freya McClements reports from Derry/Londonderry where The White Handkerchief, a play marking the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, is about to open. Freya speaks to members of the production team and hears about plans for a public memorial to commemorate the dead and injured this coming Sunday. A new recording by Roderick Williams and Tamsin Dalley of Facade, an “entertainment” by Edith Sitwell and William Walton, has been released 100 years after its first performance. Dame Edith's great nephew William Sitwell and Professor Faye Hammill discuss the story behind the piece, its impact and the part it has played in the movement of Modernism. Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Harry Parker Photo: Isabel Allende Credit: Lori Barra
Chef Neven Maguire talks to Borderlines hosts Freya McClements and Mary Minihan about overcoming the twin obstacles of Brexit and Covid-19. He reflects on how the Troubles impacted on his family's Border business, MacNean House and Restaurant. And he also reveals how he reconnected with his love of old school dance, trance and hard house music during lockdown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As journalists born and raised in Derry, Mary Minihan and Freya McClements have always been interested in the different identities that belong to the people of Ireland. In a new podcast series from The Irish Times, they talk to interesting people about identity, culture and the experiences that shaped them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Freya McClements, Northern Editor with the Irish Times
Freya McClements, Northern Editor with The Irish Times and Stephen Farry, Alliance Party MP on how non-Irish EU citizens living in the Republic will have to apply online for pre-travel clearance from the UK in order to cross the border on the island of Ireland, under proposed new British immigration laws.
Five years after Prince's death, the musician's music director of over 20 years, Morris Hayes, discusses Prince's posthumous new album Welcome 2 America. Recorded in 2010 and archived in the singer's legendary vault of unreleased material, it is released this week. Freya McClements, Northern Correspondent with The Irish Times, joins John to discuss the decision from the Northern Ireland Executive to reopen the nation's theatres and concert halls. Ben Sharrock's new film Limbo follows a group of men as they await the results of their asylum claims on a remote Scottish island. The film earned two BAFTA nominations and eight nominations at the British Independent Film Awards, including one for lead actor Amir El-Masry. Amir talks to John about playing Syrian musician Omar in the film, as well as being inspired to act by Omar Sharif, and his work to improve representation of Arab and Muslim people on screens. Presenter: John Wilson Producer: Oliver Jones
The artist Ai Weiwei has just unveiled his seven-metre-tall Gilded Cage at Blenheim Palace, a sculpture which addresses the international migrant crisis. He discusses this, as well as the largest exhibition of his work ever staged, in Lisbon, and why he has now made Portugal his home. In the run-up to the awarding of the Women's Prize for Fiction 2021, Front Row is talking to each of the shortlisted authors. This week it's the turn of Claire Fuller for her novel Unsettled Ground which has won praise for its sensitivity and intelligence. It's the story of twins in their 50s, living a life of rural isolation and poverty. Following the death of their mother, lies and secrets begin to emerge and their home comes under threat. Open Ground is a new visitor experience which enables people to hear recordings of the late Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney, reading his own poems in the locations that inspired them. An accompanying app lets you learn more about the context of the poem. How successful will it be in keeping alive the Nobel Laureate's poetry for a new generation? Freya McClements reports. Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Hilary Dunn
The Center for Irish Studies at Villanova University Podcast Series
Irish Studies Podcast Season 1 Episode 5 Our next episode is with Freya McClements, Northern Correspondent with the Irish Times, recorded by Cera Murtagh.
Nine-year-old Patrick Rooney loved horror movies and Hallowe'en and wanted to be a priest when he grew up. Instead, on 15th August 1969, he became the first child killed as a result of the ‘Troubles' - one of approximately 190 children who would die in the conflict in Northern Ireland.In their book, Children of the Troubles, broadcaster Joe Duffy and journalist Freya McClements tell the previously untold story of Northern Ireland's lost children. They discuss the tragic stories of these lost young lives, many of them children who have never been publicly acknowledged as victims of the Troubles, with Martin Doyle of the Irish Times.Recorded at Printworks, Dublin Castle, on 20th October 2019 Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.