Podcasts about sinn fein

A President for AllAll three candidates in the Presidential election have made commitments in support of Irish Unity. Clear evidence of the growing importance of Irish Unity to the electorate.Last Saturday Catherine Connolly was invited to address a Sinn Fein conference in Dublin. There was a palpable buzz of anticipation in Dublin City University as over 500 party activists gathered to discuss ‘Building For Unity.'  It was an opportunity to judge her style, hear at first hand her vision for the future of our island, and to assess her ability to challenge the establishment parties and their candidates.Connolly has been an outspoken critic of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil and an advocate for workers, communities, and equality. She supports the need for the Irish government to plan for the future unity referendums. A call Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and their candidates refuse to make.Real sanctions needed nowLast Friday I spoke on my podcast to Chris Andrews a Sinn Fein Senator who is on the Global Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea which, as a I write this, is trying to bring much needed humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people of Gaza. The flotilla, which has already been bombed by Israeli drones, sails under the constant threat of Israeli assault. The 50 boats involved left the coast of Crete on Sunday. Another flotilla of ten vessels also left Sicily on Sunday. When I spoke to Chris we discussed the danger and challenges facing the flotilla. He urged the Irish government and Tánaiste Simon Harris to do more in support of the flotilla's mission and the Palestinian people.Last week at the United Nations most state representatives refused to sit while Israeli PM Netanyahu ranted against those who opposed his genocidal policies.  Every day Israeli forces are continuing to assault the people of Gaza City and scores of Palestinians are being killed, and others, mostly children, are dying from forced starvation.Using your Loaf!This week I want to highlight the virtues of the humble Belfast Bap and the man who created it. During the week I breakfasted on boiled eggs served on a sliced  bap plastered with butter and sprinkled with black pepper. An bhlasta. Really scrumptious. Try it. You won't be disappointed. This particular bap came ready sliced. I prefer to slice my bap myself so that the slices are thick and well able to carry the butter and the boiled  egg. This is real finger food.  The ready sliced baps can be a wee bit thin. Still tasty but a bit messy. So slice your own. 

Nolan talks to DUP's Sarah Bunting and former Sinn Fein election candidate Chris Donnelly

Marie McMahon, of the Mid-West Hospital Campaign Group, reacts to today's report and recommendations. David Cullinane, Sinn Fein's Health Spokesperson, responds to HIQA's report on the lack of hospital beds in the Mid-West of Ireland.

Pearse Doherty, Deputy Leader and Finance Spokesperson, Sinn Fein speaking on Sinn Fein's presidential backing of Catherine Connolly, Robert Troy's comments on housing, and the Budget.

Sinn Fein back Catherine Connolly for the Aras, the Minister with responsibility for special education on school places, Katie Byrne's mom Antoinette Burke after their meeting with the Taoiseach, credit card fraud, JumpAGrade and Anneliese Dressel answers nutrition questions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this morning's show... *A look back at the weekends Sporting action *Sinn Fein's big build to a damp squib announcement *A Tipperary mother appeals for help *Independant TD Seamus Healy will be live in studio *We'll have global news with Thomas Conway *Are children being given enough time to eat their lunch *Why some people are more drawn to religion than others *A new book looks at the relationship between Garret Fitzgerald and Charlie Haughey, its author Eoin O'Malley will join us...

Rose Conway Walsh chats to Ciara Doherty about Sinn Fein's decision to back Independent Catherine Connolly in the Áras race They also discuss the other candidates Sinn Fein considered and what they hope to achieve with this left alliance

Ciara Doherty is joined by Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon, Law Lecturer Larry Donnelly and CEO of Children's Rights Alliance Tanya Ward to discuss the biggest stories from the Sunday papersThey discuss Sinn Fein backing Independent Catherine Connolly, the plans for the upcoming budget, a controversial week for the Social Democrats and more

The lack of affordable housing has long been a barrier to people living and working in rural areas. The Rural Services Network described it this year as a 'rural housing emergency'. All this week we've been looking at rural services, from buses to health, and today it's housing. We've reported before on some of the issues: planning, second homes and high prices for instance. Today we hear about some of the solutions.It's party conference season; agriculture is important to Northern Ireland's economy and so will be discussed at its parties conferences, Sinn Fein's in April and the DUP's tomorrow.A report out this week says our food system needs to change as it's responsible for too many emissions and too much ill health. The 5 year study which cost £47 million was funded by UK Research and Innovation and published this week in a Royal Society journal. What might a food system transformation mean for farming here in the UK? Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy on his new Netflix film Steve and his admiration for teachers everywhere, from his parents to the teacher who changed his life. He also ruled himself out as Sinn Fein's 'game-changing' presidential candidate [or as the new Voldemort]!

On this morning's Gift Grub, we headed over to catch up with Sinn Féin FM. However, this is no ordinary episode of Sinn Féin FM, it's a Traitors Special! Hit play now to hear the episode in full.

A fifth of children in poverty according to the ERSI stats released today. Claire speaks to Sinn Fein's Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty on how to reverse the trend.

Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein leader, outlines the party's priorities for the Dáil term ahead as its TDs and Senators gather in Dun Laoghaire for the party think-in starting this morning.

The Central Bank of Ireland's role in approving Israeli bonds has ended today, with Luxembourg now the authorised state for the marketing of those bonds in Europe. For more on this Sinn Féin's Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty, TD for Donegal.

Opnieuw doen Amerika, Qatar en Egypte een poging om een staakt-het-vuren af te dwingen aan Israël en Hamas. En alweer draait het om de regie. Hamas wil een bestand in stadia, met uitlevering van de helft van de Israëlische gijzelaars, Israël wil een regeling in één keer: alle gijzelaars, alle op een lijst genoteerde Palestijnse gevangenen, terugtrekking van een deel van de krijgsmacht en ontwapening door Hamas. De zoveelste herhaling van zetten – een patstelling dus. Toch denkt Donald Trump dat een doorbraak binnen afzienbare termijn mogelijk is. Dat heeft ermee te maken dat hij nu, zoals veel anderen, boos begint te worden over de enorme hoeveelheid slachtoffers, maar ook omdat hij ziet hoe overweldigend groot de acties zijn die Israëliërs zelf tegen de oorlog voeren. Het verwaarlozen van de pogingen om de gijzelaars terug te krijgen en de voortgang van een niet winbare oorlog , eigenlijk alleen omdat de zeloten in het kabinet, Smotrich en Ben-Gvir, onvermurwbaar zijn en de oorlog willen voortzetten, leidt tot diepe verontwaardiging in binnen- en buitenland. Laten we de zaak eens omdraaien. Gesteld dat Netanyahu aan de kant wordt gezet en een regering aantreedt die gelooft in compromissen, een tweestaten oplossing en in de rechten van de Palestijnen – hoe en met wie zou die regering dan moeten onderhandelen? Palestina bestaat uit twee delen, Gaza en de Westoever, waarvan de machthebbers, Hamas en Fatah, elkaars vijanden zijn. Met Israël erbij, zijn er dus niet twee, maar drie staten. Het is een raadsel waarom de internationale gemeenschap zich daar niet veel meer op richt, met uitzondering van een aantal Arabische landen, die het duidelijkst pleiten voor één nieuw, gezamenlijk bestuur over beide delen van Palestina en ontwapening van Hamas. Als dat zou gebeuren, en er is één Palestina, kan Israël daarmee aan de slag. Dan nog is er een lange weg te gaan, en het zal niet meevallen om de Israëlische zeloten die nu de koers bepalen op een zijspoor te zetten. Hetzelfde geldt voor Hamas – over zeloten gesproken. Voordat die de wapens inlevert en, zoals in Ierland is gebeurd met Sinn Fein en de IRA, het terrorisme afzweert en transformeert tot een politieke partij, stroomt er nog veel water door de Jordaan. Toch is het streven daarnaar heel wat nuttiger dan dat de rest van wereld elkaar in de haren vliegt over de definitie van genocide, of een demissionair kabinet laat vallen over sancties. Want daar – pun intended – win je de oorlog niet mee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With two months until the Presidential Election, there is still just one candidate (Catherine Connolly) in the field while we await Fine Gael's choice. But what about Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil? We hear from Fianna Fail TD Malcolm Byrne; former deputy head of press for Sinn Fein, Siobhan Fenton; and then analysis from the Irish Times' Harry McGee.

Fianna Fail will make a decision on the Presidency by the end of the month, according to the Taoiseach. The party can opt to run its own candidate or support an external person. Independent TD Catherine Connolly and businessman Gareth Sheridan are the only other candidates to officially launch a bid for the Áras, however Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys and Sean Kelly have announced their intentions to join the race. Sinn Fein has yet to outline its position, but it's understood the party's preference is to run its own candidate. Taoiseach Micheál Martin says he won't be speculating until he meets with party members. To discuss this further Alan Morrissey was joined by Ireland South Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, who has announced his intention to join the race. Meanwhile, we heard earlier from the Taoiseach that Fianna Fail will make a decision on the Presidency by the end of the month. This follows calls from the party's MEP, Billy Kelleher, for an urgent meeting to figure out what's going on. He said he had written to the Cathaoirleach asking him to convene a meeting. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Billy Kelleher, Ireland South Fianna Fail MEP.

In Part Two of our fascinating conversation with Brian McKeown, the focus shifts to his incredible legacy in Cavan. After a challenging early life and a tumultuous return home, Brian details how he established the now-legendary Cavan Boxing Club. He recounts the journey of developing champions like John Joe Nevin, Ceire Smith and Andrew Murray, a path that incredibly led one of his fighters all the way to an Olympic boxing final. Beyond the titles, Brian shares his profound love for boxing as a tool for transformation – giving confidence and setting up better lives for every person who walks through his door. We delve into his deeply inclusive philosophy, his lifetime in Sinn Fein politics, and the recent volunteer award that highlights his unwavering commitment to community. Brian also speaks openly and honestly about his battles with cancer, demonstrating the same resilience he instilled in his fighters. Light-hearted and funny, yet profoundly resonant, this is a truly inspiring story of dedication, impact, and an enduring spirit on The Rocky Road. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin Galvin is the former publicity director of The Irish Northern Aid Committee, better known as "NORAID", and to many, the face of the group.A proud Irish-American, Martin joined NORAID in 1976 and, along-side his day job as a district attorney, worked tirelessly to bring awareness to the American public and political leadership about Irish republicanism and the injustices suffered by the people of Northern Ireland. He was barred from entering Northern Ireland and defied the order by sneaking in to give a speech which was violently shut-down by the RUC.Martin shares his thoughts on the IRA's campaign of violence, why he himself didn't choose to help the armed side of the conflict, how he felt when he would hear about British soldiers being k*lled , the allegations of gun-running that plagued NORAID through it's entire existence (not unjustly)  and much more.PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW IF YOU CAN SPARE IT.. THANK YOUhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast CONTACT THE SHOW: thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.comTIMESTAMPS00:00 Martin reaction to recent RTE Noraid documentary 3:30 Martin's Irish roots 09:00 NORAID 15:40 NORAID members involved in g*n-running 21:34 Martin's support for The PIRA 38:00 Martin's reaction to hearing about British soldiers being k*lled in the North 42:10 Meeting IRA k*llers 44:40 Peaks in Noraid funding 47:10 Feds48:15 Gun-running trial (from Noraid documentary) 54:00 Regret not helping with armed campaign 58:15 Becoming Publicity Director of Noraid 1:09:35 MARTIN ESCAPES THE RUC1:12:50 Martin asks Bill Clinton about Gerry Adams' visa 1:17:45 Gerry Adams meets Donald Trump 1:18:35 Were NORAID “sidelined” by Sinn Fein 1:24:30 Denis Donaldson 1:29:00 Were the hunger strikers allowed to die by republican leadership ?1:30:30 Anything Martin wishes he had done differently

It's Part 2....so if you haven't already go back and listen to part 1 first. Think you can just raw dog it without having any of Ireland's backstory, think again. We pick back up at a major event in Irish history, The Blight, or as most of us know it The Great Irish Potato Famine. Ireland is hurting and the people in charge, currently the English, aren't doing a whole lot to help. This combined with a whole list of issues with English rule (discussed in part 1) most of the inhabitants of the Emerald Isle have had enough. What follows is the story of Ireland's fight for independence, the individuals who rose as leaders of the movement, and the 'Troubles' experienced while battling for freedom. Support the show

This week's news catch up covers the upcoming presidential election, Sinn Fein's proposals around endometriosis, Donald Trump and Stephen Colbert and the latest in Gaza, among other things.Preorder Carl's book here. To support the podcast and access bonus episodes, join the community on Patreon here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sinn Fein is concerned that the number of properties being paid the Accommodation Recognition Payment (or ARP) Scheme is increasing. Sinn Fein's Matt Carthy says the ARP is distorting the private rental sector. Matt Carthy TD, Sinn Fein spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and John Lannon, CEO Doras.

Only 6,235 commencement notices were issued in the first six months of this year, according to Department of Housing figures.This is compared to 34,581 in the first half of 2024 and marks the worst June for housing starts since 2020 - a time when the construction industry was greatly restricted due to the Covid pandemic.Conor O'Connell from the Construction Industry Federation and Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Fein housing spokesperson, join The Last Word to discuss why there has been a massive fall off and what can be done to reverse the trend.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

This may be the most open Irish presidential election we've ever seen, with every man and his dog seeming to have been linked to the Áras at some point. Former Taoisigh, human rights advocates and cage fighters alike have thrown their names into the mix. Sinn Fein president has seemingly U turned on a previous decision to rule herself out, and if she did decide to run, could very well become this countries 10th president. Host: Kevin Doyle, Guests; Fionnán Sheahan and Mary Regan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

88 year old facing eviction, Trevor who witnessed a lady nearly being crushed by her car, and Sinn Fein's Tomas Gould on our housing crisis!

David Cullinane, Sinn Fein's health spokesperson and a member of the Dail Health Committee, assesses today's Dáil Health Committee hearing.

La musique a longtemps servi et sert encore aujourd'hui différencier les deux communautés qui se partagent l'Irlande du Nord britannique. D'une part les Protestants, qui sont majoritairement pour le maintien de l'Union avec la Grande Bretagne : on les dénomme aussi "Unionistes" ou encore, pour les plus radicaux "Loyalistes". De l'autre, les Catholiques, largement favorables à la réunification avec la République d'Irlande, qu'on appelle pour cette raison "Nationalistes", ou, lorsqu'ils ou elles sont partisans du Sinn Fein et de l'IRA, "les Républicains". Ces divisions, qui remontent à plusieurs siècles, sont encore visibles et très audibles aujourd'hui. Avec Gordon Ramsey et Stephen Millar, anthropologues à l'université Queen's de Belfast. Une série d'Etienne Duval, réalisée par Jean-Philippe Zwahlen et produite par Anaïs Kien.

Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein leader, discusses the rent proposals approved by Cabinet yesterday

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he hopes the suspension of funding by the National Treatment Purchase Fund to Children's Health Ireland will be a temporary one. Funding was suspended following “serious concerns” over a 2021 CHI report. To discuss this Sinn Fein's Health Spokesperson David Cullinane.

It was a dramatic victory at the High Court on Friday for the former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams in his month-long defamation case against the BBC. We hear from Enda McGarrity, the solicitor for Denis Donaldson's family, and Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary for the NUJ.

A jury in Dublin has awarded Gerry Adams €100,000 in damages. The former Sinn Féin leader won his High Court defamation action against the BBC on Friday morning. It followed a five-week defamation trial. The jury agreed with Mr Adams that a BBC Spotlight programme, defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson – he has always denied any involvement. Mark Tighe reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sinn Féin's calling on a Clare TD to clarify claims in the Dáil that the British army never shot at or bombed Irish civilians "even in the worst of days". Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe was speaking during a debate triggered by a motion brought forward by Labour on actions the Government can take in response to Israel's ongoing war on Gaza. According to London-based NGO Action on Armed Violence, at least 188 civilians were killed by the British military in Ireland during the Troubles alone, 86 of which had no obvious motive or pattern of killings. Sinn Féin TD spokesperson for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has called on Deputy Crowe to apologise and correct the record. Speaking in the Dáil Deputy Crowe said the level of violence against civilians in Gaza is unprecedented.

For reaction to this Eoin O Broin, Sinn Fein's Housing Spokesperson and Michael O'Flynn, Chairman & CEO of the O'Flynn Group and former member of the Housing Commission.

Mayhem has not just taken over Today FM! It has now reached Sinn Fein FM, and the government seem to be having a great oul laugh. Hit play now to hear the full episode.

John and Sarah discuss the UK's sharp shift right on immigration, Sinn Fein's George Orwell moment on transgender issues, Sinead Gibney's painted nails, and the role of porn in the Hawes family murders.

John and Sarah discuss the UK's sharp shift right on immigration, Sinn Fein's George Orwell moment on transgender issues, Sinead Gibney's painted nails, and the role of porn in the Hawes family murders.

Gerry Adams has been under cross-examination in Dublin. The former Sinn Féin leader has taken a defamation case against the BBC. He claims a Spotlight programme defamed him - by alleging he sanctioned the murder of Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent for 20 years – Mr Adams denies any knowledge of the killing. Mark Tighe has been covering the case for the Sunday Independent, he joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 9ú lá de mí Bealtaine, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh. I 1986 bhuail airí agus múinteoirí arís an mhaidin sin I gcóir uair na cinniúna cainteanna faoi mhargadh chun díospóireacht a shocrú. I 1997 cheap daoine nach raibh Sinn Féin chun a bheith ag na cainteanna leis na páirtí eile nuair a bhí siad chun tosú arís I mí an Mheithimh. I 1970 fuair dhá aire sa rialtas briseadh as a bpost I gcóir a baint a bhí acu san iarracht gunnaí mídhleathach a thabhairt isteach chuig an tír chun iad a úsáid sa sé chontae. I 1986 bhí fadhb mór mar go raibh róphlódú sna barda san ospidéal in Inis agus tháinig sé seo suas an tseachtain roimhe chomh maith mar dúradh go raibh sé dainséarach de bharr an acht seirbhís dóiteáin. Sin Falco le Rock Me Amadeus – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 1986. Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 1965 I rith turas ceol sa Bhreatain chan Bob Dylan I gcóir dhá oíche sa Royal Albert Hall. Bhí The Beatles go léir sa lucht féachana. I 1992 bhí Bruce Springsteen ar an teilifís don chéad uair I dTuaisceart Meiriceá ar Saturday Night Live le Tom Hanks. Agus ar deireadh breithlá daoine cáiliúla ar an lá seo rugadh aisteoir Noah Centineo I Meiriceá I 1996 agus rugadh amhránaí Billy Joel I Meiriceá ar an lá seo I 1949 agus seo chuid de a amhrán. Beidh mé ar ais libh an tseachtain seo chugainn le heagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo. Welcome back to another edition of Ar An Lá Seo on the 9th of May, with me Lauren Ní Loingsigh 1986: Ministers and teachers met again this morning for what was to make or break talks on a draft deal to settle the long running schools dispute. 1997: Sinn Fein was unlikely to be at the multi-party talks when they were due to resume on June 3rd. 1970: two senior ministers if the government were sacked for their involvement in an attempt to import arms illegally into ireland for use in the six counties. 1986: there was a serious problem of overcrowded wards at Ennis General Hospital which was highlighted the previous week when the complex was officially declared a potentially dangerous building under the fire services act. That was Falco with Rock Me Amadeus – the biggest song on this day in 1986. Onto music news on this day In 1965 During a UK tour Bob Dylan played the first of two sold out nights at London's Royal Albert Hall. All four members of The Beatles were in the audience. 1992 Bruce Springsteen made his North American network television debut on Saturday Night Live with host Tom Hanks. And finally celebrity birthdays on this day – actor Noah Centineo was born in America in 1996 and singer Billy Joel was born in America on this day in 1949 and this is one of his songs. I'll be back with you next week with another edition of Ar An Lá Seo.

John and Sarah look in detail at the €4.4billion awarded to often obscure companies in Ireland to house migrants; examine Sinn Fein's hypocrisy in Carrickmacross, and discuss Regina Doherty's renewed confusion over men and women.

John and Sarah look in detail at the €4.4billion awarded to often obscure companies in Ireland to house migrants; examine Sinn Fein's hypocrisy in Carrickmacross, and discuss Regina Doherty's renewed confusion over men and women.

Sinn Féin is calling for a dedicated treatment centre for endometriosis, a condition that impacts 1 in 10 women. Andrea speaks to Senator Maria McCormack, a leading voice on women's health.

Where does Sinn Fein stand on the issue of gender?

Taoiseach says "housing czar" to be appointed imminently to oversee housing policy. Eoin O'Broin, Sinn Fein's spokesperson on housing speaks to Drivetime.

In 1984, the British government banned Martin Galvin from entering Northern Ireland. Galvin was a key figure in Noraid, the American organisation raising funds for Republican prisoners. In an explosive appearance on today's Free State, Martin Galvin tells the story of his journey in the republican movement. Ahead of a brilliant new RTÉ documentary he describes the events of that summer in 1984. Galvin was smuggled into the North and made an appearance at a rally where one man was killed by the RUC as they tried to arrest Galvin Joe and Galvin clash with Dion over the events of that day. They also discuss his work to get Gerry Adams a visa in America and how Sinn Fein went in another direction when they decided it was a time for pragmatists.Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish republicans who led the Easter Rising of 1916 are tried for treason by the British government, and sentenced to death. Some are so unwell they have to be tied to a chair to be killed, and the brutality of these executions turns the tide of public opinion in Ireland, increasing support for the Republican cause. The remaining revolutionaries are carted off to prisons and internment camps, where they come up with new ideas for the next fight for independence. The British press has misrepresented the Easter Rising as “The Sinn Féin Rebellion”, but this accidental branding gives the political party a newfound prominence, and its leaders seek to turn it into a national republican organisation. In 1918, during the first British general election where women can vote, Sinn Fein candidates win 73 seats in the Houses of Parliament. But they refuse to go to Westminster. They create their own parliament and declare themselves an independent Irish Republic. Meanwhile, the newly-named Irish Republican Army launches guerrilla attacks on the police force upholding British rule in Ireland. A new war of independence has begun… Listen as William and Anita are joined once again by Diarmaid Ferriter, author of A Nation Not A Rabble, to discuss the significance of the Irish War of Independence.  _____________ Empire UK Live Tour: The podcast is going on a UK tour! William and Anita will be live on stage in Glasgow, Birmingham, York and Bristol, discussing how the British Empire continues to shape our everyday lives. Tickets are on sale NOW, to buy yours head to empirepoduk.com. Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, and a weekly newsletter! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk  Blue Sky: @empirepoduk  X: @empirepoduk goalhanger.com Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We continue the St. Paddy's Week theme with some discussion of the Irish rap group/movie Kneecap, then Anders digs into the state of Sinn Fein and a really interesting essay on what it would take to unite Ireland, as well as how desirable one Irish Republic really is after all. Article: https://thebaffler.com/salvos/irish-unification-2024-sheehan

Narrator: Thomas Jones

Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh to look back on the week in politics: · Did Simon Harris put his foot in his mouth when he contradicted the US account of a phone call between him and Donald Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio? The comments added to jitters over the Taoiseach's visit to Trump's White House next week.· Security and Ireland's defence have roared onto the political agenda. Is our political system ready for the debate about how to respond?· This week left wing parties including Sinn Fein, Labour, Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Greens held talks to explore running a joint candidate in this year's presidential election. But will the idea fly? Plus, the panellists pick their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week, including Ireland's unintelligent intelligence services, the fight back against Ireland's Covid grade inflation and hope for Ireland at next year's Oscar winners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brendan ‘Bik' McFarlane's life could be a metaphor for The Troubles. When he was 16, Bik McFarlane left Belfast to train as a priest in North Wales for two years. But with the nationalist community under siege, he cut short his studies and joined the IRA. During the hunger strikes, he was the commander of the IRA in the H-Blocks, with the unenviable task of being the man whose duty it was to let Bobby Sands and others die. But this was not the whole of Bik McFarlane's life. On Free State today, Joe and Dion discuss the man who in 1975 was part of the IRA unit that murdered five people at the Bayardo Bar in Belfast during the height of sectarian killings in the north. How does a man like Bik McFarlane, remembered by so many for his intelligence and charm, end up committing acts such as these? Joe remembers his friend who became a key champion of the peace process, while Dion wonders what it tell us about Sinn Fein in 2025, that they can be so effusive in their tributes to Bik McFarlane? Is he missing the point about what was endured during The Troubles or does his view have merit?Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning is a Gold Hat Production in association with SwanMcG.For more on Free State: https://freestatepodcast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever heard of Irish revolutionary Michael Collins? The Big Fellow? His heroic contributions to the fight for Irish Independence, while ignored/overlooked/misunderstood for many years, are beginning to get noticed and appreciated again. While short, what a life he led! WATCH THIS EPISODE: https://youtu.be/Bw8hfxfUf9oFor Merch and everything else Bad Magic related, head to: https://www.badmagicproductions.com