Episodes
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Aoife Lowden is a guide and facilitator of courses, ceremonies, and gatherings which aim to support in building relationship rooted in land-based ancestral wisdom.
Aoife works as a voice for the more-than-human world. Through story, song and healing ceremony, she weaves together ancestral wisdom and lived-mythology to bring forth an embodied experience of ancient druidic spirituality in the present moment today.
Weaving the old with the new - Aoife creates spaces rooted in wild & ancient wisdom, whilst allowing the space for our emerging culture to come through and evolve.
Aoife founded Leigheas Dé Danann where she weaves offerings inspired by the ancient lands of Éire and Alba, often in collaboration with her community.
Aoife's own journey began with being born into a sick society, born into a council estate on the foothills of the Dublin mountains - never too far from the land but also deeply disconnected and surrounded by depression, desolation, poverty, addiction - and as a result, and a very sick community. Through this environment like a flower through the crack in the concrete, she grew to become resilient and hyper-aware of the change needed in this world - being directly impacted by the very sick and traumatised culture we have all inherited.
Living in a Tír na nÓg dimension, on a pure mission, Aoife talks about repairing this world by being a guide, a catalyst for remembering who we are and how we all have this fire inside us.
Onóir ollmhór caint leat, a chara - Huge honour to talk to you, friend.
Go raibh míle maith agat - Thanks a million
Find Aoife on Instagram: @aoifededanann
and her website: www.leigheasdedanann.com
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Míle buíochas, mo laoch! Many thanks, my hero.
Dian weaves together her experience and research from an illustrious career in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) & Transformative Coaching, an academic vocation focused on Classical Rhetoric, Applied Linguistics and Critical/Narrative Theory, and a lifelong passion for Irish Studies. Dian's Master of Philosophy degree at Trinity College, Dublin was in Anglo-Irish Literature in Cultural-Historical Contexts. Her PhD culminated in research on The Nation’s Other: The Construction of Irish National Identity in the Context of British Colonialism and Emigration. Dian has been an NVC trainer for 20 years, working with organisations such as Americorp, Cornell University, and the U.N. Development program. She co/wrote two popular NVC books, including Connecting across Differences and Urban Empathy: True Life Adventures of Compassion on the Streets of New York. She is also an award-winning writer, musician, and singer-songwriter who loves visual art and has a great talent for photography, drawing and print-making.The Irish language continues to surprise, inspire and delight Dian. Join Dian and her growing, visionary community at The Gaelic Effect where she explores
Language and how it impacts how we see and relate to the world
Beauty and draíocht (magic, wonder and awe)
Solace, inspiration and companionship) in these liminal, uncertain times
Hope for what’s possible: what we are truly capable of as human beings—at our best
Find The Gaelic Effect: How the Irish language can save the world, and the GaelStack here: https://diankillian.substack.com/
Enjoy the conversation! Beir bua! (Grab victory)
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Breandán is an inspirational, rising TikTok star in the Gaeltok, who is ensuring that Gaeilge has its place on the global app. My favourite creator on Tiktok by far! He believes that the accessibility of TikTok and its high usage among our youth is key to the revitalisation of our beautiful language. He brings us right back to his school days in Athenry where he was immersed in the language in his youth and how that has had such a positive effect on his love for the language today. Breandán's energy is refreshing as he avidly believes that Irish should be spoken as a living, thriving language as opposed to getting caught up on "cruinneas" or rigid accuracy. This bilingual conversation includes acúpla focal (a couple of words) as they naturally weave through our conversation. This effortless shift between the languages is representative of Breandán's relaxed, innate approach to Irish. He speaks to me about his complicated relationship with An Caighdeán (The Standard) and how it was something he had to learn to navigate during his time in DCU studying Irish at university level. Breandán is a fun, practical advocate for Irish language but he is adamant that he is not a Garda na Gaeilge (language guard) and rather, a person who is speaking and living our language by choice. Breandán warmly reminds us, "remember - it doesn't have to be cruinn, it just has to be Irish!" Absolutely loved chatting to you, a chara! Míle buíochas! Many thanks! I encourage you all to check out Breandán on Tiktok @gaelscoilis
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Aislinn and I talk about the genre of horror and its social purpose, cultural trauma that is hard to articulate, her work, her interests and the future of filmmaking in Irish. We explore the fun-loving outward face of the Irish and the inward heart which is thwarted with pain.
“A good story will always carry anyway - regardless of the language. It wasn’t a barrier to me that people would have to read subtitles”
Aislinn has just been nominated as an IFTA Rising Star! Comhghairdeas agus tuillte go maith agat! Congratulations and well-deserved.
Go raibh míle maith agat as an gcomhrá! Thanks a million for the conversation!
Find Aislinn on instagram: @thewirelessgirl
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Go raibh míle, a Sheáin - Thanks a million, Seán. It was brilliant to explore these themes with you. We touch on the enlightening and awakening Gaeilge Revival in all things music, language, culture, and dúchas - a deep sense of respect and honour for heritage.
Seán Mulrooney’s shift into solo artistry represents a deeply personal evolution, blending his Irish psychedelic folk roots with universal themes of justice, empathy, and healing. Known as the frontman of Tau & the Drones of Praise, he now steps forward with his debut solo album, This Is My Prayer. Mulrooney’s artistic achievements include winning the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Lustrum Award with his sister, Dee Mulrooney (another podcast guest I was privileged to host), for their acclaimed performance of Growler.
This new chapter began with the release of "No Two Sides" in December 2023, a haunting track addressing the Palestinian genocide. The song resonated widely, reaching No. 7 on the iTunes charts and sparking a shift in Mulrooney’s creative direction. Alongside this, he founded Ómós Records in 2023, based in Ireland, with the label’s first release being This Is My Prayer, due out February 2025. Launching his album at Whelan's in one month! 15th February
The album emerged from a transformative period of solitude in early 2024 when Mulrooney, following a breakup, retreated to a cabin in Wicklow and wrote six songs in February. Exploring themes of love, heartache, and personal power, the album blends dense Irish folk elements with worldly and otherworldly influences, including a whimsical track about dolphins getting high on pufferfish tetrodotoxin. Recorded with longtime collaborator Earl Harvin of Tindersticks, This Is My Prayer is a spiritually charged, raw, and heartfelt embodiment of Mulrooney’s artistic growth. As he puts it, “If not now, when?”
Find Seán on instagram:
@seanmulrooneymusic
@tauandthedronesofpraise
https://www.omosrecords.com/
Tau & the Drones of Praisehttps://linktr.ee/tauandthedronesofpraise -
Episode 24: Meet Ross - tour guide, culture and history content creator, podcasterThis conversation will propel you into the new year with curiosity, inspiration and pride. Ross’s generous and upbeat attitude is a breath of fresh air.“One of the originals” as I call him, he brings aspects of Irish culture and history to his global audience, fuelling his feed with clever, quirky facts about our island’s culture, our language and our heritage.Ross has a huge interest in local history and shares it with passion and a palpable excitement which simultaneously informs and impresses us.Ross, your voice is an important one in our cultural revival.
Go raibh míle maith agat, a chara! Thanks a million, friend! Bhain mé an-taitneamh as ár gcomhrá - I really enjoyed our conversation. Is laoch thú - You're a legend.Find Ross on instagram @talktoross
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Episode 23: David Keoghan - Stone Lifter "It started off as just lifting a stone but now it has lifted a whole part of our culture! It's not just a stone, it's a story."
My esteemed guest, David Keoghan, is the proud Waterford man, a world-champion kettle bell athlete, rediscovering his pride and passion in the Irish language, and leading a revival of bringing back a whole culture of Celtic stone lifting.This is a fascinating story connected to Irish mythology, an ancient important ritual, such an integral part of Irish life which was practically deserted. David's message of "Fill ar do dhúchas" - Return to your heritage, is resonating with people who are becoming aware of this connection.It's back and it's alive! David is leading groups who are keen to connect with the land, the ancestry, sacred sites, and their Gaelic soul. David is also relearning the bodhrán and the banjo, and his inspiring energy will give you an ardú croí heart lift!
Go raibh míle maith agat, a chara! Thanks a million, friend! Bhain mé an-taitneamh as ár gcomhrá - I really enjoyed our conversation. Is laoch thú - You're a legend.Find David on instagram @_indiana_stones_Support David and the movement here: patreon.com/Irishstoneliftingandresearch
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Abi and I touch on the hilarious, haunting and heartwarming aspects of growing a creative business online, and her chaotic but highly productive capacity to generate ideas and transform them into sellable art and viral videos, which works seamlessly thanks to her organised, efficient other half, Audrey.
There is an increased consciousness of buying Irish, and buying from small family-run businesses and Abi and Audrey are a wonderful example of a hard-working, values-driven, compatible partners who clearly care about what they do, as do their loyal and growing customer base.
We are not only enjoying Abi's artistic output, but she is also a rising comedic star, displaying some hard and painful truths about the Irish psyche, giving the simple advice:
"The best remedy comes from the harsh Irish mother to make you pull your pants up".
Their well-known Jesus Christ calendar, which was embroiled in a scurrilous scandal (!) is a comment on vernacular. We discuss the concept of blasphemy, and the unique relationship the Irish have with humour and laughter being a gift from God.
Absolutely loved chatting to you, a chara (friend).
Míle buíochas! Many thanks :)
I encourage you all to check out www.weirdwatercolours.com for beautiful quality, funny Christmas gifts :)
@weird_watercolours on Instagram
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My guest this week, Caoimhín, is a talented musician, an Irish Language advocate, a creative storyteller and a gentle soul, as his name "Caoimhín" suggests. In this soothing episode, Caoimhín takes us from his childhood all the way into his adult life where the common denominator was, and still is, music. He is a gifted traditional musician and plays various instruments including the banjo, flute and fiddle. Caoimhín adores traditional Irish music and he claims he enjoyed it even when it wasn't as cool as it is today! Despite his love and respect for the music in its traditional form, he has been known to add a kick drum or a sub base to ancient Irish songs as seen in his latest single, Bímse féin ag iascaireacht. The complex layer of trance and dance which he adds to the music has allowed him to preserve Irish music while adding to it, which he believes is a beautiful way to modernise and have fun with traditional components of our music. Caoimhín is a Gaeilgeoir but highlights the importance of lifelong learning and even shares some innovative tips and tricks on how to practise and incorporate the language into everyday life. This episode is not to be missed - I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with Caoimhín. Be sure to follow Caoimhín on Instagram at @caoimhinceol to keep up to date with his latest projects. Go raibh míle maith agat, a chara - Thank you, friend. Ba mhór an pléisiúr é - It was a great pleasure!
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#20 Ryan Dixon - Lakota Name: Taṡuƞka Wakiƞyaƞ Watogla (Wild Thunder Horse) is an inspiring Native American Educator and Indigenous Language Activist who has been teaching and coaching the Dakota Language since 2012. He has co-founded C̣aƞṡayapi Waḳaƞyeża Owayawa Oti- Lower Sioux Headstart and Early Headstart and drives the language movement forward with his community projects, leadership teams, competitions and innovative educational development. We talk about language loss, the revitalisation projects underway, the current status of Lakota and Dakota, colonisation, decolonisation, and hope for the future.Find Ryan on instagram @tasunka.wakinyan to learn more
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Eimear is Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. She is a Storyteller and a Psychologist. She has a deep love of the ancient Irish tales and has a passion for storytelling. In this conversation we talk about the healing power of nature, Eimear's earth-based exploration, her growing community, thin places and thin times.
Eimear loves to weave in song and the harp into her stories. She particularly enjoys showing people the sacred sites of Ireland and telling the ancient tales right where they happened.
Eimear has private practice as a Counselling Psychologist and her interests in Druidry and psychology have led her to act as a Celebrant, helping people to design and enact meaningful rites of passage.
She is licensed to perform legal weddings in the Republic of Ireland and can also offer non legal ceremonies.
Eimear is also a Priestess dedicated to Danú in the Fellowship of Isis. She is an Arch Druidess in the Druid Clan of Dana and a member of the Noble Order of Tara.
Enjoy! Bain taitneamh as :)
Thanks a million, Eimear - Go raibh míle maith agat, a Eimear!
www.kilkennydruidry.com
www.druidry.org/
eimear_burke_druid on instagram
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Kevin Whelan is one of Ireland's most widely published scholars, and a professor at the University of Notre Dame Dublin, having lectured at top universities all over the world and worked on over 20 books.
Kevin was also the historical advisor to the Irish Government on the Famine and the 1798 Rebellion.
His articulate and expansive reflections on the ecocidal agenda of the Irish Famine are illuminating and sobering. We discuss the project of imperalism and globalisation, and how Ireland was an early ethnocidal experiment, which has affected Ireland to such an extent we could have talked for days.
"We live with a degree of post traumatic disorder. And what kind of country is it that some people think it's totally fine to denigrate the national langauge, or even think that being monolingual is superior to being bilingual!?"
Go raibh míle maith agat, a chara - Thanks a million, friend. It was such an honour to talk to you and learn from you, Kevin.
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What a pleasure, what lark! Talking to Barbara Scully about becoming more ourselves, knowing the privilege of ageing, cultivating a habit of gratitude, and making decisions on our own attitude... uáu! I loved our conversation, a chara!
Barbara is an accomplished writer, columnist, and broadcaster, comedian, and BANLAOCH (female warrior). She is frequently published in the national press and magazines. Her first book, ‘Wise Up, Power, Wisdom and the Older Woman’ was published in summer 2022 and has been widely well-received. Marian Keyes described it as “a warm, accessible, personal account of what it is to be a woman - and the unexpected courage and freedom we get as we age”.
Barbara is a familiar voice on radio and TV, contributing to talk shows on both local and national radio (including RTE Radio One) and she is one half of the very popular So You Think You’re An Adult slot every week on the Moncrieff Show on Newstalk with Declan Buckley.
She is an experienced MC and public speaker and her popular talk, entitled “What If The Best Is Yet To Come” has been delivered to both corporate and public audiences.
In 2023 Barbara inadvertently dipped her toes into stand-up comedy. It went better than she expected and so she did it again at the Funny Women show in Whelans in May 2024. As a result she is now working on her own one woman show which she hopes to perform later this year.
Follow Barbara on Instagram @barbarascully111 and on X @barbarascully.
Wise Up is available from www.barbarascully.com and also on Amazon.
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In this episode, I am joined by the fantastic Seva, an enthusiastic linguist with vast knowledge and expertise around indigenous languages. He is a language professor who grew up in a bilingual environment in the Soviet Union. He studied anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley and now teaches academic Spanish and Italian in a community college in Seattle. He is an academic who poses questions regarding the connection between language and identity, a concept that is challenged and questioned in both Ukraine and Ireland. This comparison makes for a fascinating conversation about the parallels that exist between the Irish language and the Ukrainian language. This thought-provoking, informative conversation addresses the war in Ukraine and the political unrest that is still happening back home for Vsevolod. He speaks concisely about the ongoing war and shines a light on the experiences of the colonised people. An episode not to be missed with this fountain of knowledge! Go raibh míle maith agat, a chara! Thank you, friend! D'fhoghlaim mé go leor uait. I learned a lot from you
Find Seva's lessons here: www.sevalanguages.com
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This week's conversation was with the one and only, Órla McGovern. A lengthy introduction is needed for this multitalented individual. She is an imaginative storyteller, a gifted actress, a sharp playwright, a dedicated teacher, a poetic author, and an entertaining performer. Órla allows us into her world of imagination and reveals how the Arts allow her to express herself and find her truth. She is a creative, progressive person who delves into hot topics such as blackcurrant in Guinness, her draw towards bodies of water and taking on a voice during the act of telling a story. Not only do we meet Órla in this week's episode, but we also meet her hilarious separate entity named Mrs. Nelly Murphy, who has been known to be successful in storytelling competitions. Órla has written folktales for children and is the founder of Moth and Butterfly Stories, a monthly storytelling and improvisation night in Co. Galway, as well as an annual International storytelling festival. This episode is not to be missed - an endearing chat with an Irish legend. Go raibh míle maith agat, a chara - Thank you friend! Thaitin an comhrá go mór liom - I really enjoyed the conversation. Make sure to keep up to date with Órla's work on her Instagram @theorlamcgovern, her storytelling events @mothandbutterflystories, and her Facebook page, Moth and Butterfly.
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Episode 14: Leon Diop is a fantastic spokesperson who aims to increase awareness and educate people, celebrating and connecting Black and Mixed Race Irish people.Leon is the founder of the Black and Irish community, a movement which strives tohighlight the struggles and successes of the Black and Mixed RaceIrish community. The organisation raises the question of defining “Irishness”, which Leon does so beautifully.Leon is also an award-winning author who wrote the stunning Black and Irish:Legends, Trailblazers and Everyday Heroes. Thankfully, there are more books onthe way. Leon lives by the motto of “Is fiú agus is féidir” - It is worth it and you can doit. He encapsulates our ability to achieve our goals by choosing our own reality andbelieving in the power of the mind. Leon is no longer feeling “half and half” of anything, andis in fact 100% of everything!
When he is not advocating for a more inclusive, loving world, he is making TikTok content with his two gorgeous pugs or playingchess. Tá cúpla focal aige which he uses with pride and pleasure. He hopes to continue his Irish language journey, too!In this inspiring, moving episode, Leon speaks to us about his heart-driven work, unity in society, and dreams for the future, touching on how to strike a balance between work and rest.Be sure to follow Leon on Instagram @leon_diop_ to stay informed on his valuablework. Also check out his expansive, thriving community @black_andirish. Here is their website: https://blackandirish.comBeir bua, a chara - Grab victory, friend!
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In this insightful episode, Conor Creighton speaks in great depth about his life as a creator, a meditation teacher, a spiritual guide, and other roles he has put his hand to!
We touch on the Irish psyche, loving ourselves and the path towards acceptance and authenticity.
Conor dissects the endless opportunities his life has presented due to a deeper connection with both himself and the world around him, through an abundance of meditative experience. During this warm chat, I refer to his profound book, “The Truth About Love” and he describes his alluring artistic process, which always leads to a bountiful learning journey. Conor is a natural born storyteller and depicts exactly why he believes there is a strong connection between meditation and good language learning. Buíochas mór ó chroí, a chara! A big thank you from my heart, friend! Is duine iontach, machnamhach, éirimiúil thú! You are a great, reflective, intelligent person. Thaitin an comhrá seo go mór liom - I really enjoyed this conversation.
Be sure to follow Conor on Instagram @conorcreighton to stay informed of his wonderful work!Here is his website:www.meditatingwithconor.com
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We all deeply love Ireland... but we need to talk about it.
In this episode we talk about the salvation of art, connection with the land, grá for mná (love for women), finding meaning and direction, loving the eejit out of yourself, cringe, naff, and the inexhaustible desire to live.
Dee is an everyday Goddess. Her voice will transport you. Her relationship with and understanding of Ireland and Irishness will challenge, resonate, and inspire.
Growler is Dee Mulrooney’s alter-ego, performance piece. She is an 82-year-old drum banging, shamanic alchemist, who transmutes women’s pain through storytelling, song and spoken word. She has a tongue like a lash and a heart of gold. You can check out her daily shenanigens @growlerspeaks on Instagram.
Go raibh míle míle maith agat, a chara!
Is bean iontach thú - You are a wonderful woman.
Táim fíorshásta go bhfuil aithne agam ort - I am truly happy to know you :)
@deemulrooney
deirdre-mulrooney.com
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Episode 11: Ruairi Glasheen is an award-winning percussionist, composer, filmmaker and educator based in London. Drawn by the limitless creativity and possibilities of being a percussionist, and indeed a love of drums and percussion from all around the world, Ruairi spreads his passion through diverse global projects including workshops, orchestras, filmmaking and collaborations, for which he has won many prestigious awards and accolades.Ruairi has led a truly illustrious career in music, released documentaries such as Hidden Drummers of Iran, and has developed courses online.
We talk about students' confidence shifting, the positive power of music, the story of the Bodhrán, enjoying the process, preserving our culture, and reifying Irishness.
Enjoy! Thank you for listening :)
Agus go raibh míle maith agat, a Ruairi! It was such a pleasure and a privilege to be in conversation with you!
Find Ruairi on instagram @ruairi_glasheen
and www.ruairiglasheen.net
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Wicklow native, Jane Casey, is a content creator and journalist that has a passion for highlighting the forgotten stories of Ireland’s past.
Jane aims to ignite curiosity about our world and inspire an appreciation for the hidden beauty and rich histories we often overlook.
We talk about reframing success, the curiosity which unveils a story in every place, pursuing passion, and reconnecting with our incredible land.
Find Jane at @janecasey.ie
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