Welcome to the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Show, hosted by Mary Moynihan and Freda Manweiler. Join us for an hour of discussions on equality, diversity, and the powerful work of artists advocating for human rights. From theatre and film to digital arts and sculpture, we explore a wide array of creative forms that inspire change. Tune in to hear unique perspectives and stories from the world of art, all recorded at Dublin South FM.
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Welcome to the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Show, hosted by Mary Moynihan and Freda Manweiler. Join us for an hour of discussions on equality, diversity, and the powerful work of artists advocating for human rights. From theatre and film to digital arts and sculpture, we explore a wide array of creative forms that inspire change. Tune in to hear unique perspectives and stories from the world of art, all recorded at Dublin South FM.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we shine a light on the 7th Annual Irish Arts & Human Rights Festival (Friday 10 – Sunday 19 October 2025). Mary shares a curated selection of the most compelling events you won’t want to miss. Our feature artist interview is with two Voices for Peace contributors: poet and short-story writer Shreya Gupta, and poet/essayist Rowan Tate. Join us as we explore their work, their inspiration, and what peace in art means to them.
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This episode focuses on the launch of the programme for this year’s annual international Irish Arts and Human Rights festival which runs from the 10 to 19 October 2025, presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Front Line Defenders.
The aim of the festival is to celebrate and showcase the extraordinary work of human rights defenders in Ireland and around the world, past and present, and the role of the arts and artists in promoting human rights today. The show also addresses the upcoming presidential elections in Ireland and takes a look at the candidates running to date.
They will also be discussing the new Smashing Times center at 30 Sandycove Road, a multifunctional arts venue perfect for hosting community workshops, live performances, visual exhibitions, spoken word performances and more.
And, to break in the new center, Mary Moynihan has put together a multidisciplinary-exhibition which incorporates a mixture of poetry, visual art and photography with the aim of helping self-expression by mapping natural landscapes to the soul, fittingly titled: ‘Landscapes of the Soul, running until the 28th of September.
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Recorded at Dublin South FM
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In this episode, we discuss the launch of the new Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality in Sandycove, opening with the exhibition Landscapes of the Soul by Mary Moynihan. Our feature interview is with multidisciplinary artist Jessica Rodrigues, who shares insights into her fine art and custom tattoo practice, from dreamscapes to Studio Ghibli inspirations. Jessica’s work is also showcased in Tintreach: The Smashing Times Arts and Literary Journal and as part of the upcoming Voices of Peace programme at the Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival. Plus, we highlight artists and musicians worldwide speaking out against the genocide in Gaza.
Recorded at Dublin South FM
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In this episode, we sit down with Aoife McAtamney — musician, songwriter, and interdisciplinary artist — recently appointed as one of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown’s Musicians-in-Residence for 2025. Aoife shares her fascinating journey from contemporary dance to multidisciplinary performance, her work under the creative alias Daughter Of A Drum, and her acting roles in Paula Kehoe’s The Devils In Her and The Woman In The Wall. Tune in as Aoife discusses her creative process, her influences, and what’s in store for her upcoming performances at the Lexicon Library.
Recorded at Dublin South FM
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In this episode, we explore the powerful Irish podcast Stolen Sister, which investigates the 1976 disappearance and murder of Elizabeth Plunkett and the ongoing fight by her family for justice. Mary also reflects on Red Dress Day in Canada—an annual commemoration honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women, inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black.
Our feature interview is with Ciara Hayes of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality. Ciara discusses the upcoming Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival (10–19 October 2025), which celebrates human rights defenders and the role of the arts in promoting justice and equality. She also shares details about three exciting open calls for artists, organisations, and citizens to get involved.
Plus, Freda presents News from the Network with arts and culture highlights for July and August and a spotlight from the Ten We Admire series on Spanish artist Marina Vargas.
Special thanks to Féilim James, Carmen Ortiz Victorino, and the team at Dublin South FM.
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On this episode we speak with activist Sue Pentel, a 72-year-old Jewish grandmother and member of both the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Jews for Palestine Ireland. Sue was recently arrested in Belfast by the PSNI during a peaceful protest against the genocide in Gaza. She shares her story and why she continues to speak out.
We also spotlight the role of artists and musicians across Europe who are refusing to stay silent despite increasing censorship of Palestinian solidarity in mainstream spaces.
Plus, we take a look at the State of Writing in Ireland – 2024 with new findings from the Writers’ Guild of Ireland, revealing the stark financial realities facing Irish writers today.
Recorded at Dublin South FM.
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In this nature-themed episode of the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights radio show, co-hosts Mary Moynihan and Freda Manweiler explore the power of art to inspire environmental awareness. The show features a reading of Meadow Woman, a poem by Mary Moynihan, and an interview with artists Carmen Ortiz and Carla Ryan, fresh from touring The Art of Trees in Athens. Learn about this Creative Europe project connecting performance, climate action, and our deep-rooted ties to the natural world.
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This episode features interviews with Ciara Hayes, producer of the Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival, announcing open calls for artists and organisations, and David Scott, acclaimed actor and writer, who shares insights on actor training, self-publishing, and creating a fairer, more inclusive arts sector.
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This episode spotlights the intersection of art and activism. We delve into the National Campaign for the Arts’ efforts to protect and expand Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts scheme. Mary shares reflections on politically charged cinema at the Cannes Film Festival and Bruce Springsteen’s bold stand for democracy. We feature a powerful interview with Dijana Milošević, acclaimed Serbian theatre director and co-founder of DAH Theater, discussing the ‘Thinking Peace’ festival and the role of the arts in human rights advocacy. The episode closes with Mary's urgent call to end the genocide in Gaza and dismantle the global arms industry in the pursuit of peace.
Recorded at Dublin South FM
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On this episode, Mary & Freda discuss Kneecap and freedom of expression, and future of the Mona Lisa.
Recorded at Dublin South FM.
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This episode is a celebration of verse, marking Poetry Day Ireland—an annual, island-wide tribute to poetry taking place this year on May 1st with the theme “May Day!” We’re joined by acclaimed poet Enda Coyle-Green, whose work was selected by Poetry Ireland as part of their official Poetry Day collection. Also on the show: poet and playwright Feilim James and singer-songwriter Hilary Bow, who share what poetry means to them and reveal some of their favourite poems. Discover more at poetryireland.ie.
Recorded at Dublin South FM
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In this episode of the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights radio show, presenter Mary Moynihan shines a spotlight on the courageous women of the 1916 Easter Rising. A writer, poet, and multidisciplinary artist with a deep interest in historical memory, Mary shares the life stories of Countess de Markievicz, Eva Gore-Booth, Margaret Skinnider, and Dr Kathleen Lynn — all trailblazers in the fight for equality, justice, and Irish freedom.
The show features scenes from the short film Courageous Women and includes arts and culture updates, from Berlin art cuts to Blindboy podcast picks, a creative boost from The War of Art, and a celebratory nod to Rory McIlroy’s Masters win.
Recorded at Dublin South FM.
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On this episode, Mary talks about how Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Hungary has been accused of eroding democratic institutions and weakening the rule of law and how Hungary’s government is suppressing freedom of expression for artists and arts organisations and the rights of LGBTQI+ people. In this week’s ‘Ten We Admire’, listen to the story of Eva Gore-Booth (1870-1926), a poet, writer, trade unionist, feminist and campaigner for equality and social justice and hear two of her short poems read out. In this episode our interview is with Robert Bates, Managing Director of the International Dublin Gay Theatre festival. Robert is with us to talk about his work producing an annual festival and to share information on some of the exciting events taking place for this year's festival which runs from the 5 to 19 May 2025 and has been described as a celebration of love, diversity, and creativity.
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Recorded at Dublin South FM.
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On this episode, Mary Moynihan, reflects on the current political climate in the US, Europe, and Ireland. She explores the urgent need to speak truth to power, calling on leaders to address wealth inequality, rising defence spending, and human rights abuses while advocating for peace and justice.
Our guest artist is award-winning poet Annemarie Ní Churreáin, whose work delves into heritage, identity, and resilience. We discuss her journey as a writer, the state of the arts in Ireland today, and her advice for aspiring poets. You can find her work in the latest edition of Tintreach: The Smashing Times Arts and Literary Journal.
Plus, we highlight ‘Ten We Admire’—a celebration of Irish-language artists making waves across disciplines, from the boundary-pushing hip-hop of Kneecap to the evocative performances of Ceara Conway and Siobhán Ní Dhuinnín.
#Poetry #Politics #IrishArts #SpeakingTruthToPower
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On this episode, a special edition of the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Radio Show, celebrating International Women’s Day. Hosts Mary Moynihan and Freda Manweiler discuss the impact of women in the arts, including the Powerful Women in the Arts story series.
We also feature an exclusive interview with award-winning poet Jessica Traynor, who shares insights into her creative process, advice for aspiring writers, and her thoughts on the state of the arts in Ireland today. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with one of Ireland’s leading literary voices!
Recorded at Dublin South FM.
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In this episode, our featured artist interview and live performance with Carol Scott and Sebastien Luthers from the traditional Irish group CAS. We also take a look at Ten We Admire, followed by a discussion on myths and legends
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On this episode, we dive into the world of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, exploring our mission and our newly launched arts and literary journal, Tintreach. We’re thrilled to welcome poet Bronagh Mallon, one of the featured artists, for an exclusive interview. Plus, we look back at the recent Grammy Awards, celebrating this year’s nominees and winners, including Irish artists. And in Ten We Admire, we pay tribute to the legendary Marianne Faithfull—an artist who defied the odds and left an unforgettable mark on music and film.
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On this episode, we explore Acting for the Future, a unique arts-based project by Smashing Times promoting mental health and wellbeing across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Next, our Ten We Admire segment highlights artists using their craft to foster positive mental health.
Our guest, Treacy O’Connor—Interfaith Minister, mindfulness teacher, and CEO of Creating Wellness—joined us to discuss the Goddess Brigid and Saint Brigid, whose legacy is celebrated on Ireland’s St Brigid’s Day. Plus, we share exciting events marking this special occasion and more!
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On this episode, we dive into the intersection of arts and human rights with writer, performer, and director Jenny Macdonald. Jenny discusses her new show The Tightrope Walker, debuting at Smock Alley Theatre as part of the First Fortnight Festival, Ireland’s annual mental health arts event. The play navigates illness, recovery, and the power of community and care.
We’ll also review the new Troubles-related TV series Say Nothing, share "Ten We Admire" — artists and artworks that inspire us — and wrap up with News from the Network, including upcoming events and opportunities.
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