Part of the United Kingdom situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, created 1921
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GUESTS: John Kelly (CEO) & Graeme Millar (Master Distiller), Belfast Distillery Company Belfast was once one of the world's great whiskey capitals, but for decades its distilling heritage lay dormant. In this episode, Drew Hannush reunites with Belfast Distillery Company CEO John Kelly and Master Distiller Graeme Millar to explore the rebirth of McConnell's Irish Whiskey, the remarkable transformation of Belfast's historic Crumlin Road Jail into a working distillery, and the philosophy guiding one of Northern Ireland's most ambitious whiskey projects. Along the way, they discuss McConnell's rich past, the future of Irish single malt, and why Belfast is once again becoming a destination for whiskey lovers. In This Episode The revival of Belfast's legendary McConnell's brand Why Crumlin Road Jail became a distillery Restoring a prison while preserving its history Belfast's forgotten role in Irish whiskey The rise and fall of McConnell's in the 1800s Graeme Millar's vision for triple-distilled single malt Creating a distinctive Northern Irish whiskey style Building flavor through careful distillation and maturation Behind the scenes of McConnell's visitor experience Belfast's growing reputation as a whiskey destination SHOW NOTES: whiskeylore.org/interviews JOIN THE SPEAKEASY (AND GET THE COUPON CODE): https://www.patreon.com/whiskeylore/posts/ep-141-irish-new-164366456
New episode out now! We watched the first episode of the Netflix show How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, a story about three women investigating the sudden death of their estranged childhood friend who held a mysterious secret. We discuss how this is a very vibes-heavy show, loved the Northern Irish setting and appreciated that it was in modern day, and got excited about the fact that we don't have a clue what is happening and how we all had different theories. We also loved the specificity of the early 2000s music and cyclical fashion choices, really enjoyed the cinematography, and have deeper discussions surrounding personhood and friendship and memory and who we are when we return to those who knew us long ago. Katy felt like a boomer, Carrie critiques flashlight use, Maddy reveals her car's name, and Mack shares anchoring techniques. We also talk about our deep psychological need to prove we're right, have a lengthy tangent about digital preservation and the transient nature of modern digital culture, learn not to drive in Ohio at night, and believe that Europe has just as many trash people as the US. Listen to hear more about mudlarking, Avril Lavigne, Community, MBTA closures, The Lord of the Rings, wearing dresses over jeans, age gap relationships, and Zune's. Enjoy!TW: Existentialism about death, age difference relationship, gaslighting, Fred and Rose WestShow Notes and Links:The Deep Dive Academy, PodcastAisling Bea on QI: Aisling Bea's Irish Version of Twinkle TwinkleWhen Your Digital Life Vanishes by Julian Lucas, New Yorker ArticleNETFLIX HAD ANOTHER BAD IDEA : AGE OF ATTRACTION | KennieJD
This week: Bill Burr's surprise drop in set at our Belfast gig, return of the twank, SSE Arena gig review, SSE behind the scenes, basketball skills, Thai brides, I will find you *spoiler alerts*, dog sh*te x new phone disaster, going viral on dating apps, popular aftershave, Northern Irish car culture, mens living spaces & much more.Sign up to Patreon for access to exclusive episodes out every Thursday & our brand new merch.patreon.com/TheBombSquadPodGLASGOW LIVE POD TICKETSFollow @TheBombSquadPod on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & X.Hosted by:Colin Geddis &Aaron McCannProduced & Edited by:Niall Fegan
**This episode includes two separate interviews.**Alastair Kilgore is a Northern Irish educator, peacebuilder, and longtime member of the Corrymeela Community, where he has been involved for more than fifty years. Raised in the Protestant tradition, Kilgore has dedicated much of his life to fostering understanding across religious, political, and cultural divides in Northern Ireland.Inspired by Corrymeela founder Ray Davey, whose experiences during the bombing of Dresden shaped a lifelong commitment to reconciliation, Kilgore embraced the belief that "we are all the same" and has carried that principle throughout his work. As a teacher, community leader, and advocate for integrated education, he played an early role in supporting Lagan College, Northern Ireland's first integrated secondary school, helping pioneer efforts to educate Protestant and Catholic children together.**Dot Wilson is a community-builder, peace advocate, and lifelong resident of Northern Ireland who has spent decades fostering connection across divides. Living in Ballycastle on the North Antrim Coast, Dot is a former probation officer, gardener, fused-glass artist, and grandmother of four children and several grandchildren. Deeply shaped by her involvement with the Corrymeela Community movement, she has dedicated much of her life to creating spaces where people from different backgrounds can live, learn, and grow together.Alongside her late husband, Derek Wilson, Dot helped establish Mill Strand Integrated Primary School in Portrush during the 1980s, working with other parents to create one of Northern Ireland's pioneering integrated schools. The effort required extraordinary commitment, including securing funding, overcoming community resistance, and even leveraging their homes to support the project. Today, she looks back on that work with pride as a tangible contribution to a more inclusive society.Credits:Photos and text, John NoltnerField production, summer interns Kate West, Sawyer Garrison, and Kaitlin ImaiAudio Engineering, Razik SaifullahThanks for listening to A Peace of My Mind's podcast. For photos, videos, and additional content, visit our website and follow us on Instagram.
Send us Fan MailGroup K. Probably the most geographically disparate group of them all.The person who has been extracting nugs from this particular diamond mine is Steve Potter, off Das Kapitans.The countries in that group are: Portugal, Uzbekistan, Columbia and DR Congo.You'll be very glad to here that the Nazis make a return, as well as Northern Irish soap stars and property experts from North East England.The bands chosen to represent their countries are: The Youths, Trimmigrant, Codigo Rojo and SaU.
On the emerald isle of Ireland, an easily-overlooked creature holds the history of a nation within its shell. From the rise and collapse of heavy industry, to a bloody civil war, the riverbeds of Ireland have been witness — and they tell a story of change and possibility stretching far beyond any human lifetime.With the help of guest producer Caitlin Kennedy, we're tracing the modern arc of Northern Ireland through the story of the freshwater pearl mussel.— — —
A landslide win, only two years ago - yet now UK prime minister Keir Starmer's resisting calls to step down. The return to parliament of Andy Burnham makes a leadership challenge more likely. What's gone wrong so fast, for Starmer? And why so much turmoil at the top of British politics? In this episode: Peter Oborne - UK Political Commentator and Associate Editor of Middle East Eye - a digital news organisation. Jonathan Tonge - Professor of Politics at the University of Liverpool and author of numerous books on British and Northern Irish politics. Peter Geoghegan - Editor of Democracy for Sale - an investigative news site in London Host: Per Nyberg Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
We brought on Northern Irish journalist Lara Whyte to discuss recent events in Belfast, and the extent to which Musk-centric American far right internet garbage is becoming unavoidable. We also discuss recent updates to the anti-Starmer's-car twink arsonists! Check out Lara's work here! Get the whole episode on Patreon here! RILEY ALERT Check out No Gods, No Mayors here! HUSSEIN ALERT Check out 10k Posts here! MILO ALERT Check out Milo's tour dates here: https://www.miloedwards.co.uk/liveshows NATE ALERT Nate's band Second Homes has just released their debut album, and you can stream it for free here!
"You're in despair. You just don't know you're in despair." — Peter RollinsOn this episode of Podsongs, John Kunkel of The New Division takes the guest-host chair to interview Northern Irish writer, philosopher and theologian Peter Rollins as inspiration for a brand new song. John opens up on his influences — Depeche Mode, New Order, Echo & the Bunnymen, Duran Duran — before the conversation turns to Rollins' work: questioning certainty, exposing the contradictions we live by, and finding freedom from the relentless "tyranny of happiness," with Los Angeles cast as a spiritual "Mecca" selling wholeness to anyone who can afford it. Along the way Rollins unpacks desire, sacrifice, work and alienation, ideology, AI and the unconscious, the films that shaped him, and the parables behind his "pyrotheology" — and the talk becomes the seed of "Idols," a song about the things we all end up worshipping, good and bad.New single "Idols" by The New Division — out 26 June. Stream/pre-save: https://ffm.to/tnd_idolsTOPICSPeter Rollins on desire, contradiction, and ideologyThe tyranny of happiness and the demand to enjoyLos Angeles as a spiritual marketplaceLacanian psychoanalysis and the unconsciousWhy desire needs obstaclesSacrifice, meaning, and fulfillmentAI, consciousness, and the technological singularityFilms, storytelling, and creative inspirationJohn Kunkel's influences: Depeche Mode, New Order, Echo & the Bunnymen, Duran DuranWriting a song live on the podcastTIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro: welcome to Podsongs01:29 Why UK music hits different (New Order, Depeche Mode, Echo & the Bunnymen)04:45 Keeping new wave alive06:18 Moving abroad: music logistics09:47 Writing 150 song demos14:41 Who is Peter Rollins?28:17 Peter joins the call31:50 LA and the demand to enjoy37:01 The tyranny of happiness38:35 The superego's demand to enjoy40:19 Why fulfilling your dreams can backfire41:53 The enjoyment hidden in sacrifice44:33 Why desire needs obstacles47:39 The unconscious and Lacan's "object a"52:56 Filmmaking and prohibition57:43 Negative universality and politics01:01:16 The church of contradiction01:05:29 AI, singularity and the unconscious01:12:42 Music tastes and influences01:14:08 Film picks: They Live and ideology01:19:49 Who inspires Peter now01:20:34 Writing the song live01:21:20 The Vegas parable and unknowing01:26:02 Where to find Peter Rollins01:28:43 The profane temple and lack01:34:51 Post-interview debrief01:39:07 "Idols" — song outroGUEST & MUSICIANPeter Rollins: https://peterrollins.comThe New Division: https://www.newdivisionmusic.comGet the newsletter, support the show, and download the song for just €/$1:https://podsongs.comWebsite: https://podsongs.comPodcast Episodes: https://podsongs.com/podcast-episodesMusic: https://podsongs.com/musicInstagram: https://instagram.com/podsongsTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/podsongsFacebook: https://facebook.com/podsongs#PeterRollins #JohnKunkel #NewDivision #Philosophy #Theology #Psychoanalysis #Lacan #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Consciousness #Ideology #Desire #Happiness #Spirituality #Songwriting #SynthPop #NewWave #PostPunk #Podsongs #JackStafford
Rioters egged on by far right figures torched vehicles and homes in the Northern Irish city. The chaos followed a stabbing where the accused is a Sudanese refugee. City councillor Séamas de Faoite decries the violence and urges outsiders to stop inflaming tensions.
There has been a second night of riots in Belfast following a knife attack in the Northern Irish city on Monday. Yesterday authorities called for calm after vehicles and houses were set alight. As violent anti-immigration protests continue, what's it like on the ground and what can the government do going forward?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests:Constance Kampfner, northern correspondent, The TimesOliver Wright, policy editor, The TimesHost: Manveen RanaProducers: Sophie McNulty, Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Belfast attack latestFurther listening: What Henry Nowak's murder means for policingClips: X, The Times, BBC, Times Radio. Photo: Getty Images.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A city councilor in the Northern Irish city appeals for calm, after a night of violent anti-immigrant rioting in which families were forced from their homes by arson. In a new "online harms" bill, Ottawa proposes a social media ban for kids under 16; and an expert advisor to the government tells us what it would take to make that idea a reality. The government says a brand-new task force will update the country's cancer screening guidelines, after the last group was disbanded due to a controversial recommendation on mammograms.You may not have heard of the rock star Carlos "Indio" Solari — but right now, Argentinians are mourning the truly massive homegrown hero. A French woman has won Icelandair's World's Worst Photographer contest — and now she'll put her lack of talent to the test in one of the most photogenic places on Earth. Scientists are left stunned by a study that suggests humans have an innate tendency to turn left — even when we're feeling all right. As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that puts the "left" in "left to our own devices."
Well, folks, it's been a week of delayed recordings and riveting exchanges. This week, Lesley and Fraser weigh in on a fair old rammy at Holyrood regarding the SNP, plus the deeply troubling scenes playing out on the streets of Belfast and beyond. From a Scottish Parliamentary debate that saw the Green amendment triumph, to the surprising political unity across the water in Northern Ireland, we try to make sense of a highly charged political landscape. In this episode, we discuss:The Peter Murrell Scandal & Holyrood's Response: We unpack the recent debate on whether there should be a Scottish Parliamentary inquiry into the SNP's financial scandal. Fraser argues Holyrood has ducked out of the thornier issues regarding the separation of powers and the Crown Office, leaving the door wide open for Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee to step in. Lesley, however, reckons an independent inquiry—sparked by the successful Green amendment—is actually the better move, meaning politicians won't just be marking their own homework.A Question of Competence: Does the Scottish Parliament even have the legislative authority to investigate political parties, or is that strictly reserved to Westminster under the Scotland Act? We get into the weeds of who actually holds the power to scrutinise party registration and funding.The Future of Independence Funds: With Peter Murrell reportedly offering to voluntarily repay embezzled funds, we ask what should happen to that money. Fraser suggests a new, democratic independence vehicle should be established to take the ring-fenced crowdfunder cash, rather than simply returning it to the SNP's coffers.Far-Right Riots and The Belfast Response: We turn to the appalling, racist violence in Belfast and across the UK, fueled by outside agitators and Nigel Farage's "pure cold fury" remarks. Yet amidst the nightmare, there is a surprisingly upbeat takeaway: the refreshingly robust, united front from Northern Irish politicians across the divide. From the SDLP to the Democratic Unionists, local leaders have explicitly repudiated the racism and told the armchair warriors exactly where to go. ★ Support this podcast ★
In this episode, former teacher and comedian Andy Gleeks explains why he left education after 18 years, discussing the intense pressures of the modern profession and his transition into stand-up comedy. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from the UK comedy scene, wild open mic nights, and the realities of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe. The conversation also explores Northern Irish culture, comparing life in Belfast and London, while delving into the roots of Northern Irish humour and how Anglo-Irish relations have evolved over time. Here are the chapters of the episode:[[01:21]] Why I am no longer a teacher after 18 years [[04:22]][[04:26]] What teaching was like 18 years ago and why it isn't for me [[08:30]][[07:00]] Being asked to do more with less in schools [[08:15]][[12:00]] How I started in comedy and why you shouldn't join a comedy collective [[16:10]][[17:05]] The brilliant Dangerous T and open mic comedy characters [[23:30]][[25:56]] The two ways to play the Edinburgh Fringe Festival [[28:00]][[33:00]] Where the brilliance of Northern Irish humour comes from [[36:08]][[33:20]] Coping mechanisms: How to deal with the trauma [[33:54]][[36:08]] The culture of Northern Ireland compared with London life [[39:00]][[39:30]] The Guildford Four and Maguire Seven: Changing Anglo-Irish relations [[48:29]]If you would like to find out more about Andy Gleeks, you can reach him on Instagram or Tiktok at andygleeks.You can follow this podcast on Youtube at https://bit.ly/41LWDAq, Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3oLrmyU,Apple podcasts at https://apple.co/3LEkr3E and you can support the pod on:https://www.patreon.com/thecomediansparadise. #standupcomedypodcast #comedypodcast #interviewingcomedians #andygleeks #andygleekscomedian #northernirishcomedian #exteacher
Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Chris Chalmers Chris Chalmers is a Belfast-based singer and guitarist best known as the frontman of The 2:19, a blues-rooted band that earned a strong reputation on the Northern Irish scene and released three critically acclaimed albums before Chalmers began exploring a new chapter under his own name. That next chapter arrives as Chris Chalmers & The Souvenirs, a project built around Chalmers' songwriting, voice, and lived-in feel for roots music. The band's debut album, Way Back Home, was released May 1, 2026 and features 11 songs that lean into heartfelt, hooky Americana and blues-influenced storytelling. http://www.makingascene.org
Geraldine Hughes is a Northern Irish film, television and stage actress. Geraldine Hughes might not be an easily recognizable face for most, but she has quietly accumulated a long list of film, television and theater credits, most notably as the character of Little Marie in 2006's film Rocky Balboa. Born in West Belfast, she moved to America after receiving a scholarship to attend university, graduating from UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. In 2005, she wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed play Belfast Blues, a true story from Hughes's perspective about coming of age in Belfast in the 1980s. Performed in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Belfast and London, the play received the Los Angeles Ovation, Garland and Drama Critics Circle Awards, and Hughes won a Drama League Nomination for Outstanding Performance. Most recently, she appeared in the Irish Repertory Theatre's production of Ulster American with Matthew Broderick. The production transferred to Ireland in the summer of 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Northern Ireland Connections provides a network for partners from all walks of life. Domestic and international
In today's episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by award-winning Northern Irish writer Jan Carson, who has just released her ninth book, Few and Far Between. Set on a fictional archipelago in Lough Neagh, the novel blends history, realism and the surreal, drawing on themes of community, belonging and generational trauma. In this conversation, Carson explains how a historic plan to drain Lough Neagh and create a seventh county in the north, inspired the book. She also reflects on her childhood growing up in a Presbyterian fundamentalist family - where attending church six days a week was the norm - and what her faith means to her now. But first, freelance journalist Kate Lynch is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the racial abuse experienced by newly chosen Dublin Rose, Saud Mooge, plus the rise in popularity of Nigel Farage's Reform UK and what the party's policies mean for women. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Last year, just 213 students from Northern Ireland started university in the Republic, yet thousands went to college in England, Scotland and Wales. Why is there such a discrepancy and should more be done to create more equity between the Leaving Cert and A-Level systems?Joining Seán to discuss is Michael Cairns, the former Head of Comms at the Northern Ireland Assembly and parent who has been writing about this in the Belfast Telegraph…
Last year, just 213 students from Northern Ireland started university in the Republic, yet thousands went to college in England, Scotland and Wales. Why is there such a discrepancy and should more be done to create more equity between the Leaving Cert and A-Level systems?Joining Seán to discuss is Michael Cairns, the former Head of Comms at the Northern Ireland Assembly and parent who has been writing about this in the Belfast Telegraph…
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Pastor Found Guilty of Violating U.K. Speech Laws for Preaching John 3:16 Sermon Near Hospital Clive Johnston's conviction marks the first of its kind under buffer zone laws involving speech entirely unrelated to abortion. The United Kingdom, which has been cracking down on speech for years, dealt free speech another blow on Thursday when a district judge found Clive Johnston, a retired Northern Irish pastor, guilty of preaching John 3:16 in public. https://reason.com/2026/05/07/pastor-found-guilty-of-violating-u-k-speech-laws-for-preaching-john-316-sermon-near-hospital/ UK free speech crackdown sees up to 30 people a day arrested for petty offenses such as retweets and cartoons https://nypost.com/2025/08/19/world-news/uk-free-speech-struggle-30-arrests-a-day-censorship/ “Free Speech Is Dead”: Another American... View Article
This week, Johnny made a Northern Irish man say ‘tortellini', Sunta told us about her favourite home remedies, and we introduce you to the 4 ‘til 7 Thang Players!Hear Johnny on Radio X every weekday at 4pm across the UK on digital radio, 104.9 FM in London, 97.7 FM in Manchester, on Global Player or via www.radiox.co.uk
Northern Irish author Jan Carson's new novel is ‘Few and Far Between'. She tells Dearbhail about her strict, Evangelical, Presbyterian upbringing, breaking free from insularity in university, a stint in America and her hopes for Northern Ireland post-Good Friday Agreement.
Get all sides of every story and be better informed at https://ground.news/AlexOC - subscribe for 40% off unlimited access.For early, ad-free access to videos, and to support the channel, subscribe to my Substack: https://www.alexoconnor.com.-John Lennox is a Northern Irish mathematician, bioethicist, and Christian apologist originally from Northern Ireland. He has written many books on religion, ethics, the relationship between science and God, and has had public debates with atheists including Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. -Exclusive discount: Listeners to my show can get 30% Off John Lennox's autobiography, My Story when shopping directly from his publishers. Visit https://spckpublishing.co.uk/my-story and enter AOC30 at checkout to get 30% off. - TIMESTAMPS00:00 - How Pressure Can Produce the Best Work02:29 - Does the Incarnation Make Sense?06:22 - John's Richard Dawkins Debate14:39 - What Did the New Atheists Get Wrong About God?26:21 - Science Cannot Explain Everything31:22 - What Did the New Atheists Get Right?35:18 - Why Does God Hide From So Many People?44:36 - Why Does God Allow Arbitrary Suffering?56:25 - Is Faith “Belief Without Evidence”?1:00:33 - How Could God Punish a Mere Lack of Faith?1:08:14 - How Christopher Hitchens Agreed with Jesus1:13:03 - Does Christianity Cause Evil?
The Irish veteran talks about his prolific output, making music beyond the drum & bass canon and his forthcoming album, Tricklemore Sea. Dominick Martin—AKA Calibre—has spent the last three decades carving out one of the most singular paths in electronic music. Known to many as a cornerstone of drum & bass, the Northern Irish artist's work has always defied easy categorisation. His vast output spans house, techno, ambient and even folk. What unifies it all is a sense of what he calls "inner space," which has cemented him as one of the underground's most respected figures. In this week's Exchange, Martin speaks about his creative philosophy, his "three-tunes-a-day" workflow and a recent turn towards abstract downtempo with RA's international content writer, Tom Gledhill. The new album, Tricklemore Sea, arrives on his Signature Records imprint on May 1st, marking a move away from the rigid protocols of the DJ booth toward a space that is deeply melancholic, personal and profoundly poetic. Listen to the episode in full.
The Irish veteran talks about his prolific output, making music beyond the drum & bass canon and his forthcoming album, Tricklemore Sea.Dominick Martin—AKA Calibre—has spent the last three decades carving out one of the most singular paths in electronic music. Known to many as a cornerstone of drum & bass, the Northern Irish artist's work has always defied easy categorisation. His vast output spans house, techno, ambient and even folk. What unifies it all is a sense of what he calls "inner space," which has cemented him as one of the underground's most respected figures.In this week's Exchange, Martin speaks about his creative philosophy, his "three-tunes-a-day" workflow and a recent turn towards abstract downtempo with RA's international content writer, Tom Gledhill. The new album, Tricklemore Sea, arrives on his Signature Records imprint on May 1st, marking a move away from the rigid protocols of the DJ booth toward a space that is deeply melancholic, personal and profoundly poetic. Listen to the episode in full. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who really owns the Lord of the Dance live spectacular? That's the crux of the ongoing and quite spiky legal battle between Michael Flatley and the Northern Irish company contracted to run the show. Now, a pair of helpful billionaires have come to Flatley's financial rescue. Who are these generous benefactors, and why are they stepping up? Host: Fionnán Sheahan Guests: Shane Phelan and Donal O'DonovanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Studio Ulster, a world-class virtual production facility today announced the expansion of the groundbreaking studio's team, hiring in roles across all divisions. With vacancies posted in technical, stage, and commercial roles, Studio Ulster is opening the doors to new possibilities for talented production crew in Northern Ireland. These new roles will enable Studio Ulster to meet the growing demand of Virtual Production services, a rapidly expanding area within media production in an already thriving Northern Irish film ecosystem. The Studio's most recent productions include 'No Way Off', a survivor thriller starring Maria Bakalova, David Wilmot, and Andrew Gower. No Way Off is written by Gaby Hull, and produced by Matthew James Wilkinson of the UK's Stigma Films, and Jamie Harvey. Laura Rister is executive producer through her company Esme Grace, which is financing the film alongside Head Gear Films, Northern Ireland Screen, OnSight and Altitude. Head Gear Films packaged the project, with Phil Hunt, Compton Ross and Charlie Kemball as executive producers. This follows the release of Titanic Sinks Tonight to critical acclaim in December, a docudrama for BBC produced by Stellify Media, the first production to shoot at the studio and one of BBC iPlayer's most popular historical documentaries in 2025. Studio Ulster is the result of a £72 million investment and partly funded through the Belfast Region City Deal. Developed by Ulster University in partnership with the Belfast Harbour Commission and supported by Northern Ireland Screen, the studio boasts large scale, virtual production facilities with the latest high-end equipment. It is designed to elevate the commercial studio capability for real-time visual effects across the UK and Ireland. It is one of five CoSTAR Screen Labs, part of a UK-wide initiative to lead global innovation in screen technologies all supported by £75.6 million of AHRC funding and £63 million of new industry investment. Roles are across the Commercial, Stage, Finance, and Operations teams and include senior positions including Virtual Production Producer, Bidding Producer, Strategic Engagement Manager as well as entry and mid-level roles across operations and finance. The immediately posted roles include the following: Strategic Engagement Manager – The Strategic Engagement Manager will provide senior level executive and project support to the CEO and executive team of Studio Ulster, a high-profile, publicly funded creative technology company and subsidiary of Ulster University. The post holder will operate as a trusted extension of the CEO's office, supporting governance, strategic coordination, stakeholder engagement, compliance documentation and the effective execution of complex, multi-partner activity across industry, government and academia. Virtual Production Producer – In partnership with key production, creative and technology leadership, this role creates and executes Studio Ulster and the client's vision for Virtual Production in line with the operations teams running and maintaining Studio Ulster's Volumes, as needed. Bidding Producer – The Bidding Producer is responsible for supporting the Commercial team in sourcing, assessing, and winning new projects; compiling detailed proposals while balancing available resources and creative project needs. Declan Keeney, CEO said: "This is a rare opportunity to join one of the most advanced virtual production environments anywhere in the world. Studio Ulster is not simply a workplace, it is a living, evolving creative technology ecosystem where world-class talent, cutting-edge research, and global production converge under one roof. "Demand for our facilities and services has exceeded our ambitious forecasts. As major productions and international partners look to Northern Ireland as a destination for next-generation content creation, we are scaling rapidly. We are now expanding our team to meet that demand and to ensure Studio Ulster continues to set...
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On this episode of Parenting Is a Joke, Ophira Eisenberg sits down with humor writer Johanna Gohmann to talk about raising a teenage son while building a comedy writing career that includes pieces in The New Yorker, McSweeney's, and The Wall Street Journal—and the release of her new parenting book, All Toddlers Are Scorpios (out April 7). Gohmann, a self-described astrology skeptic, explains how she researched zodiac lore to frame toddlers as tiny tyrants written in the stars—while admitting she's a Sagittarius married to one and still not convinced any of it tracks. She shares what it's like parenting her 13-year-old son, who is on the autism spectrum and currently obsessed with writing fake obituaries, navigating middle school graduation photos that made her cry, and growing up as an only child with two hovering creative parents. The conversation veers into her years living in Dublin after a one-night-stand-turned-marriage to her Northern Irish husband, how not being legally allowed to work unexpectedly jumpstarted her writing life, and why gray Irish summers require fires in August. Gohmann revisits the Moth StorySLAM win where she told the now-legendary story of mistaking postpartum diarrhea for a life-threatening hemorrhage—only to realize that once you've defecated on the delivery room floor, embarrassment loses its power—and reflects on parenting through grief, explaining death to a four-year-old who decided heaven might be an Arby's. The episode moves easily between comedy and real-life stakes—misplaced lunches, replaced fish, helicopter parenting guilt, Catholic relatives in Indiana, and the strange Brooklyn playground hierarchy—capturing what it actually looks like to balance creative work, storytelling, marriage, and raising a kid who prefers writing obituaries to small talk.
Your All-Access Pass to the Marching Arts.In this At Step Off bonus episode of On A Water Break, Jack Goudreau talks with Paula Braiden about the world of Scottish and Northern Irish drum major competition — from adjudication and flourish design to dress inspection, musicality, leadership, and the international performance work of The Force.Paula shares how a family tradition led her into the activity, what judges are really looking for, why presentation matters, and how drum majoring builds confidence, discipline, and leadership far beyond the competition circle.In this episode: What Scottish drum major competition looks like How drum majors are judged in Scotland and Northern Ireland Why uniform, dress, and detail matter in scoring How flourish routines balance simplicity and effect Paula's competition memories and teaching philosophy What The Force is and where it performs Why drum majoring teaches leadership from the frontGuest: Paula BraidenHost: Jack GoudreauFeatured quote:“The leadership of the drum major is essential.”Find On A Water Break:Website: https://www.onawaterbreak.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/onawaterbreakSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wgaml1T115IsvvZd0XheTApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-a-water-break/id1653637341YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnAWaterBreakPodcastFind The Force:Website: https://theforce.events/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theforce.events/Follow:OAWB: @onawaterbreakJack Goudreau: @goudreau_The Force: @theforce.events
The Northern Irish singer-songwriter chats about the vibrant music scene in Belfast now, coping with grief, his new album ‘It's Not Going To Be OK' and a Choice music award nomination (for copyright reasons the full tracks performed during this interview cannot be podcast)
The original trio Steve, Dana, and Julia convene for a right cracker of a Gabfest as they discuss How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, the new comedic mystery from Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee. In the Netflix series, three longtime Belfast friends must revisit their childhood trauma to unravel the mystery of a fourth friend's disappearance— raucous Northern Irish hijinks ensue.Next, they step into the unhinged dystopian Los Angeles of Gore Verbinski's new film Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die. In it a beleaguered time traveler played by Sam Rockwell must visit the same Norm's diner 117 times to save the world from the menace of A.I..Finally, they welcome Slate senior writer Christina Cauterucci to unpack her recent piece “My Gun and Me” about her unlikely journey towards gun ownership during Trump 2.0—and how she's not alone in doing so in her left-leaning, queer community.In an exclusive bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, they determine if there are indeed no comfortable reading positions, as a recent Slate essay by Luke Winkie attests. EndorsementsDana: The latest Today in Tabs entry from Rusty Foster "A.I. Isn't People."Julia: In lieu of an endorsement, a gripe: the much-hyped New York Times two-player word game Crossplay is just Scrabble! (If only there were a German word for this specific form of disappointment...)Steve: Rereading J.D. Salinger with some distance from one's own adolescence— particularly Franny and Zooey and the short story "For Esmé—with Love and Squalor." And for a good critical reassessment, read Janet Malcolm's New York Review of Books essay "Justice to J.D. Salinger." --Email us your thoughts at culturefest@slate.com. Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The original trio Steve, Dana, and Julia convene for a right cracker of a Gabfest as they discuss How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, the new comedic mystery from Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee. In the Netflix series, three longtime Belfast friends must revisit their childhood trauma to unravel the mystery of a fourth friend's disappearance— raucous Northern Irish hijinks ensue.Next, they step into the unhinged dystopian Los Angeles of Gore Verbinski's new film Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die. In it a beleaguered time traveler played by Sam Rockwell must visit the same Norm's diner 117 times to save the world from the menace of A.I..Finally, they welcome Slate senior writer Christina Cauterucci to unpack her recent piece “My Gun and Me” about her unlikely journey towards gun ownership during Trump 2.0—and how she's not alone in doing so in her left-leaning, queer community.In an exclusive bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, they determine if there are indeed no comfortable reading positions, as a recent Slate essay by Luke Winkie attests. EndorsementsDana: The latest Today in Tabs entry from Rusty Foster "A.I. Isn't People."Julia: In lieu of an endorsement, a gripe: the much-hyped New York Times two-player word game Crossplay is just Scrabble! (If only there were a German word for this specific form of disappointment...)Steve: Rereading J.D. Salinger with some distance from one's own adolescence— particularly Franny and Zooey and the short story "For Esmé—with Love and Squalor." And for a good critical reassessment, read Janet Malcolm's New York Review of Books essay "Justice to J.D. Salinger." --Email us your thoughts at culturefest@slate.com. Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Award-winning director, producer, and writer Ruán Magan joins Irish Stew for a timely conversation ahead of his double appearance at this weekend's Solas Nua Capital Irish Film Festival, where he'll present two very different visions of Ireland on screen.Ruán reflects on a creative life that has taken him from early collaborations with his brother, writer and broadcaster Manchán Magan, through decades of boundary-pushing work that has reached audiences around the world. He talks about growing up in a family steeped in story, language, and history, and how that background propels him toward projects that dig beneath the surface of Ireland's past and present.One of his festival offerings is the new documentary “Daniel O'Connell – The Emancipator,” which marks the 250th anniversary of O'Connell's birth and revisits the life, legacy, and global impact of “The Liberator.” Ruán describes the film as “a chance to step back from today's noise and remember how one determined Irish lawyer changed the democratic DNA of the modern world,” connecting O'Connell's campaigns for Catholic Emancipation to later movements led by figures like Frederick Douglass, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr.He then turns to his Irish-language drama “Báite,” a feature that takes his fascination with Irish history and identity into more intimate, psychological territory. Ruán calls it “a story where the past seeps up through the floorboards of ordinary lives,” using the rhythms of the Irish language and the coastal landscape to explore guilt, memory, and the pull of old ghosts.Throughout the episode, Ruán shares his approach to filmmaking as “trying to make the invisible visible—whether that's buried history, an overlooked revolutionary, or the quiet truths people carry inside them.” He talks about balancing scholarship and emotion, why collaboration matters, and what keeps drawing him back to Irish subjects for a global audience.Irish Stew will be the Podcast in Residence at the Capital Irish Film Festival, Feb. 26 – Mar. 1, appearing on stage after the Friday 6:30 p.m. screening to discuss Northern Irish film with a panel of Northern Irish filmmakers.LinksSolas NuaWebsiteCapital Irish Film FestivalBáiteDaniel O'Connell: The EmancipatorRuán MaganWebsiteIMDbLinkedInIrish Stew LinksWebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInMedia Partner: IrishCentralEpisode Details: Season 8, Episode 10; Total Episode Count: 151
In our latest podcast, Naemi Victoria chats with director Kathryn Ferguson about her short film Nostalgie, which is nominated for a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award, as well as being nominated in the Best Short Film category at the 2026 Irish Film & Television Awards.Nostalgie stars Aidan Gillen and features original songs and a score by Dan Smith, the Grammy-nominated, Brit Award-winning frontman of Bastille.Drew Lord Haig (Gillen), a faded English 1980s pop star, is unexpectedly invited to perform in Northern Ireland, pulling him out of musical retirement and into a moral dilemma tied to the unintended legacy of his work. What begins as an exercise in nostalgia turns into a reckoning when Drew discovers his music has been repurposed in ways that contradict its original intent.The film also stars Jessica Reynolds (Kneecap) and Michael Smiley (Bad Sisters), alongside a predominantly Northern Irish cast. Written by Stacey Gregg and based on a short story by Wendy Erskine, Nostalgie explores the intersection of personal vanity, collective memory, and the political afterlife of pop culture.Read more here:www.filmireland.net/podcast-kathryn-ferguson-on-bafta-ifta-nominated-short-nostalgieKathryn FergusonBelfast-born Kathryn is an Emmy-nominated, BIFA and IFTA winning director whose innovative and boundary-pushing documentary work has screened globally. Kathryn studied at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art, and in 2022 was awarded the inaugural BFI & Chanel Award for Creative Audacity. In 2018, Kathryn's short documentary Taking the Waters premiered at Sheffield Doc Fest, and was long-listed for a BAFTA. Then, in 2021, Kathryn worked with Passion Pictures on the short Space to Be for The Guardian's acclaimed documentary series. After a decade of short-form work centred on identity, gender politics, and community, Kathryn recently completed her debut feature documentary Nothing Compares - which takes as its subject Sinéad O'Connor's artistry and activism. The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2022 then toured the international festival circuit, where it picked up multiple awards, before hitting cinemas in October 2022. It has received over thirty award nominations internationally, including Emmy, Critics Choice, IDA, and PGA Awards, and was awarded winner of Best Feature Documentary at BIFA 2022 and IFTA 2023. Nothing Compares is now available to watch on Showtime and Sky. Kathryn's second feature documentary, a collaboration with Universal, is due to be released in 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Susie Lee, winner of BBC's Best Home Cook 2020 and host of her own BBC series. From winning a national cooking competition to navigating lockdown with two young children, Susie shares her remarkable journey blending Northern Irish and Chinese heritage through food. In this episode, Susie opens up about: Creating accessible Chinese recipes using everyday ingredients (yes, even sausages in dumplings!) Balancing her day job as an accountant with TV shows and three bestselling cookbooks Honoring her late mother's legacy through the Simply Chinese trilogy The challenges of maintaining authenticity while making food approachable for families Teaching her children Cantonese and preserving cultural heritage through cooking Why her family's Northern Irish takeaway (running since 1980) still influences her cooking today Discover Susie's favorite 20-minute dumpling recipe, her thoughts on fusion food, and why she believes every day should be celebrated. Plus, she reveals her guilty pleasure (chips!), shares lockdown cooking chaos with her kids, and explains why Northern Irish produce is world-class. Whether you're interested in Chinese cooking, family food traditions, or simply love hearing honest stories about balancing passion projects with real life, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
After a troubled Northern Irish childhood, Vivien Hewitt found a new life in Italy, and in opera. The director and designer takes a seat in the afternoon quiet of Trieste's Theatre Verdi to talk about a life in the dreamworld of opera.
After a troubled Northern Irish childhood, Vivien Hewitt found a new life in Italy, and in opera. The director and designer takes a seat in the afternoon quiet of Trieste's Theatre Verdi to talk about a life in the dreamworld of opera. (Photo credit: Vivien Hewitt)
Tens of thousands of children in England have spent more than a year waiting for NHS community care, such as hearing services, speech and language therapy and disability support, the BBC has found. Nick Triggle, BBC News Health Correspondent and Harriet Edwards, Strategy Lead at the national disability charity, Sense, join Nuala McGovern to discuss the findings. Author, economist and politician Yanis Varoufakis joins Nuala to discuss being, as he describes it, raised a misogynist. He also talks about the women in his life that helped change that and what he believes lies behind the growth in misogynist attitudes.A new ITV crime documentary, Killer in the House, traces the story of one of the most notorious double murder stories in recent UK history, where a respected Northern Irish dentist, Colin Howell, murdered his wife and his lover's husband, staged it as a double suicide, and evaded justice for nearly twenty years. Howell was never suspected for the murder of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan, until his confession in 2007, implicating his former lover, Hazel Stewart. Lauren Bradford-Clarke, daughter of Lesley and Colin, talks to us about the impact this crime had on her family.Bonnie Langford has been a British household name for more than 50 years, singing and dancing across many stages in countless musicals, as well as memorable TV roles in EastEnders and Dr Who. Now she's playing Mrs Bird in the much-acclaimed Paddington The Musical in London's West End. She joins Nuala to discuss the joys of treading the boards with that much-loved, life-sized bear. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Simon Richardson
Northern Irish novelist Maggie O'Farrell has long been admired for fiction that blends emotional intimacy with sweeping historical scope, and her work has found devoted readers on both sides of the Atlantic. She is the author of several acclaimed novels, including After You'd Gone, The Hand That First Held Mine, and The Marriage Portrait, books that circle questions of love, loss, memory, and the hidden lives that shape history. Her 2020 novel Hamnet—a reimagining of Shakespeare's family life through the eyes of his wife and son—became a global bestseller and won the Women's Prize for Fiction. Now O'Farrell has entered the film world with remarkable success. Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao, has won the Golden Globe for Best Drama and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.
In this episode of the Trackstaa Podcast, hosts Lucy and Rich are joined by elite endurance athlete and Northern Irish 10K record holder, Hannah Irwin.Hannah shares her journey into running, from discovering the sport at a young age to competing at an elite level. She opens up about the highs and lows of her career, including struggles with under-fueling, injuries, and the mental challenges that forced her to step back and reassess her approach to the sport.The conversation dives into the importance of proper nutrition, mental resilience, and building a healthy relationship with running. Hannah explains how her training has evolved to focus on consistency, long-term development, and overall wellbeing rather than chasing short-term performance.To wrap things up, Hannah takes on a fun quick-fire round, giving listeners a glimpse into her personality beyond the track. This episode is packed with honest insights, valuable lessons, and inspiration for runners at every level.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-running-pod-trackstaa/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
This week: The guide to Aura, premium products, the theory of height, short kings, the tall fats, Christmas game nights, hypnotists, Scottish hype talk, staff do debauchery, Marcus Gunn syndrome, Northern Irish rap scene, comedian tribute acts, The White House instagram feed, big boy problems & much more.Sign up to Patreon for access to exclusive episodes out every Thursday.patreon.com/TheBombSquadPodMERCH: https://www.bombsquadpod.comFollow @TheBombSquadPod on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & X.Hosted by:Colin Geddis &Aaron McCannProduced & Edited by:Niall Fegan
Irish Stew couldn't make it to Dublin, so cohost Martin Nutty and John Lee settled for the Dublin House, a venerable watering hole on New York's Upper West Side, known for its low-key vibe, high quality pints and its 10-foot-tall neon sign in the shape of a harp that has been lighting the way to a great craic for decades.The occasion was a meet-up over a pair of those pints for “Stew in Review,” a holiday retrospective on their 2025 season. Martin reflected on the core message of the Joseph Kennedy III episode as the former US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland advocates for the healing power of civility over the destructive impulse of rage.John notes for craic it's hard to top the episode recorded in the cavernous, cacophonous Common Market with Belfast Night Czar Michael Stewart and Belfast Food Tours' Caroline Wilson, and for raw, riveting emotions the episode with Northern Irish actors John Duddy and Ciaran Byrne as they relived their experiences of The Troubles.That was one of two episodes of Irish Stew recorded live before a (paying!) audience as part of the Origin Theatre First Irish Festival, a 2025 highlight made possible by then artistic director Mick Mellamphy, an high-energy experience the pair hopes to expand on in the year to come.With a pint or two oiling the conversational gears the pair shared recollections of The Irish Stew residency at the Solas Nua Capital Irish Film Festival, a standout episode with the groundbreaking Irish president Mary Robinson, the sense of commitment to community they found throughout their Off the Beaten Craic in the Hidden Heartlands Road Trip, the destination dining at Thyme Restaurant in Athlone, and the serendipitous stories they stumbled upon in their off-season Midlands ramble.The podcasters also raise a toast to their travel partner Tourism Ireland, media partner IrishCentral, the Dublin House for welcoming them into their cozy confines, and, above all, the folks who lend their ears--the listeners. The episode wraps with a sneak preview of what's to come in 2026, and, after settling their bar tab, the podcasters head back into the windy winter weather on West 79th Street, pausing for a selfie under the glowing green harp that heralds the Dublin House.Irish Stew LinksWebsiteInstagramLinkedInEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 37; Total Episode Count: 140
On this episode of Sports Talk with Bobby Hebert, we take a look at what remains of the grounded New York Jets ahead of their matchup with the Saints this Sunday. Bobby asks Drew Brees when he knew he was "the man" in the NFL, Mike gives Northern-Irish kicker Charlie Smith his flowers, and Steve takes stock of the mounting injuries in the New Orleans running back room.
This month we are featuring a feed drop from Last Dance one of the brilliant shows that recently launched on the RQ Network. This is the very first episode from their first season called Lesser Gods. Last Dance is a Dark Fantasy Audio Drama which follows Jericho Raeke, a battlefield scavenger traveling in a godless world where your body is your temple. Forced to pick through the front lines of the most brutal war his home has ever known, the find of a lifetime drags him right into the centre of the conflict Last dance features a full cast of Northern Irish voices and features guest stars including “The Walking Dead's” David Morrissey, and James Mackenzie, best known for his role in CBBC children's adventure game show, Raven, along with other great performersIntroduction and outro by Billie Hindle You can listen to the next exciting episode of Last Dance by clicking on this link, or by searching for Last Dance wherever you find podcasts, or on the Rusty Quill website Credits Created by Blackabbey ProductionsStarring:Michael Ellen Sean as Jericho RaekeCaelan Stow as Cullen LathurnaRónán Hamill as Brother OrrEimear Lugh Devlin as Caelin AngaliAnd featuring Colette Hart as The DredgerAdditional voices:Andrew McCracken as FitzMax Blair as Temperer PreacherWritten and directed by Max BlairSound Design and Original Score by Mark McKibbinContent Warnings:Body horror (blood, vomit, burning) Graphic ViolenceSFX: Screaming, Squishing, vomitBad language Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.