In this episode of How to Be Irish, Cónal Creedon, an award-winning novelist and filmmaker, shares his deep connection to Cork and how it has shaped his creative journey.
He discusses the influence of his upbringing in a bustling family shop, the importance of storytelling, and his transition from documentary filmmaking to writing.
Cónal reflects on Cork's cultural evolution, the significance of culinary traditions like spice beef, and the vibrant community that defines the city today.
He also explores what it means to be Irish in a global context, emphasising the importance of openness and cultural exchange.
Cónal Creedon, Cork, Irish culture, storytelling, documentaries, spice beef, community, cultural evolution, writing, history
"We walk past remnants of our past every day without noticing."
Our ancestors left echoes of themselves all around us, if we only know where to look and how to interpret the signs. These remnants lie all over Ireland, telling us of the lives they once touched and understanding their story roots our knowledge in the foundations of our society and the customs that have shaped the Irish people over centuries.
This week’s guest is Deirdre O’Neill, author and creator of the hugely successful online project of the same name, ‘Remnants of Our Past’. Her work tells the story of Irish people, their memories preserved in these forgotten places.
Join me in hearing about the pattern, the holy wells, the funeral traditions, faction fighting, the farming methods and the ancient saunas which were part of our ancestors' lives long ago.
You can find Deirdre and her original content on Irish heritage on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube. Her book 'Remnants of Our Past' is available now, online and in shops.
Have you ever heard of Clothilde Graves? What about Sister Concepta? Roesia de Verdun? Or how about Lady Ranelagh?
These are just some of the Irish women that journalist and bestselling author Clodagh Finn has written about. In this episode of 'How to Be Irish,' Clodagh shares the stories of significant Irish women throughout Irish history, from the early medieval period to the last century.
Clodagh’s books:
Through Her Eyes: A History of Ireland in 21 Women
A Time to Risk All (biography of Mary Elms, the Irish Oskar Schindler)
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, rate the podcast five stars and follow so you never miss an episode!
You can find How to be Irish on Instagram too.
In the last four years, a quiet revival has been taking place: the revival of Irish stonelifting. Andy Downes is one of those who has helped to bring back this lost Irish tradition.
In this first episode of Season 2 of How to be Irish, I speak with Andy of Irish Historic Stonelifting, who explains how he and others have rediscovered 47 stones in the last four years. Through analysis of the Dúchas archives and verification with local sources, they have managed to unearth a tradition that died out during famine times.
You can find Andy on TikTok: @irishstonelifting; Instagram: @handmedownes; YouTube: @irishstonelifting
In this episode of How to be Irish, I sit down with Amano Miura—a multidisciplinary artist, songwriter, and sean-nós singer from Killarney, Co. Kerry.
Born in Kyūshū, Japan, and raised in Ireland, Amano explores the thresholds where cultures divide or dissolve, weaving Irish and Japanese folk traditions with contemporary sounds across folk, pop, sean-nós, and spoken word.
We dive into:
Her journey into sean-nós singing and how she blends tradition with innovation.
How Irish traditional music and Japanese traditional music compare and differ.
The Irish language as an instrument in music and the future of Irish in pop culture.
Cultural identity as a mixed-race Irish artist and navigating diversity in the arts.
The inspiration behind her poem Kerry, Let’s Talk About Racism.
Her groundbreaking work with Nós Nua to tackle imposter syndrome around the Irish language.
The evolution of modern Irish music and where it’s headed next.
Why is our role as Irish people the dream?
Amano’s latest release, THREAD, is a collaboration with producer Kalabanx, featuring the single HEART with Liam Ó Maonlaí. She is currently in post-production on new solo alt/indie music, set for release in February 2025.
Listen now for a powerful conversation on music, language, and identity in modern Ireland.
Follow Amano: Instagram: @AmanoAnseo, her Website
Follow How to be Irish Instagram: @howtobeirish.
Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please rate the podcast five stars and share it with a friend!
That’s all for Season 1 of How to be Irish. Thank you for tuning in.
Irish music, sean-nós singing, Amano Miura, Amano Anseo, Irish language music, folk music Ireland, Irish-Japanese identity, Nós Nua workshop, Irish music industry, traditional Irish music, modern Irish artists, cultural fluidity, bilingual songwriting, imposter syndrome in language learning, Irish arts diversity, spoken word Ireland, Irish music podcast, learning sean-nós, future of Irish music, Gaeilge in pop culture
This week, I’m chatting with Sian Conway, an award-winning Dublin-based food writer, TikTok creator, and freelance content queen.
Sian brings her unique perspective on Irish culture, modern food trends, and life as a neurodivergent creator to this conversation.
We chat about:
Navigating Irish identity and building an authentic online presence.
The role of TikTok in self-expression, learning, and discovery in the digital age.
How social media has transformed conversations around Irish culture and current affairs.
Sian’s journey to freelance life and creating Meet Your Maker, her upcoming YouTube series.
The evolution of modern Irish food culture: innovation, challenges, and the best food spots in Dublin.
A candid discussion about her journey with anorexia, orthorexia, and the role veganism played.
What it’s like to be a food writer with a history of eating disorders.
Favourite Dublin food gems and what Ireland’s food scene needs next.
What it truly means to be Irish in today’s world.
If you’re curious about how Irish culture, food, and social media intersect—or if you want to hear from one of Ireland’s freshest creative voices—this episode offers insight, laughs, and plenty of inspiration.
Follow or subscribe to How to be Irish for weekly episodes.
Leave a review to help more people discover the podcast.
Support the podcast on Patreon by donating the price of a coffee—just search How to be Irish.
Social media links:
How to be Irish on Instagram.
Find Sian on Instagram, and TikTok.
Slán go fóill, and I’ll chat to ye next week!
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Irish food culture
TikTok food trends
modern Irish identity
freelance content creation Ireland
Dublin food writer
Sian Conway food writer
Irish food scene evolution
Irish culinary identity
social media and Irish culture
best food spots in Dublin 2025
Irish creators on TikTok
neurodivergent content creator
Irish food and drink recommendations
eating disorder recovery story
veganism to omnivore journey
freelance life in Ireland
Meet Your Maker YouTube series
Irish influencers online presence
navigating Irish identity
innovations in Irish food scene
In this special end-of-year episode, I’m joined by RTÉ reporter and broadcaster Sheila Naughton as we reflect on Ireland’s most impactful news stories of 2024.
From moments of pride like Cillian Murphy’s Oscar win to pivotal societal shifts such as the Stardust inquest and Ireland’s legal actions against the UK’s Legacy Act, this episode dives deep into the events that shaped Irish culture and society this year.
Sheila brings her expert insights as we discuss justice and accountability, political changes, and the resilience of Irish people in the face of challenges. Whether it’s the constitutional referendums, gender-based violence protests, or Ireland’s victories at the Olympics, we explore the themes that defined 2024.
We discuss:
Justice and accountability: The Stardust fire inquest, abuse revelations in schools, and Ireland’s stance on the UK’s Legacy Act.
Political shifts: Leo Varadkar’s resignation, Simon Harris becoming Taoiseach, and the surprising themes emerging from a year stacked with elections and votes.
Cultural pride: Ireland’s Eurovision success, Cillian Murphy’s Oscar speech, and our athletes shining at the Olympics.
Societal tensions: The Coolock protests, debates on gender-based violence, and a year of change for the Green Party.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this year-end reflection! Did we miss any key stories or angles? Share your perspective in the comments or on Instagram.
This marks the final episode of How to be Irish for 2024, as I take a break for the festive season. I’ll be back in early 2025 with a special interview featuring an Irish food and drink influencer. Plus, we’ll celebrate 100 days of How to be Irish on December 29th.
Nollaig Shona daoibh agus Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise Daoibh!
Follow How to be Irish on Instagram and YouTube. Please consider supporting the podcast on Patreon to help me bring more episodes to you in the new year. If you cannot contribute via Patreon, please share the podcast with a friend or in a group chat, and leave a five-star rating.
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Why is Ireland’s biodiversity in such a dire state? Are we projecting an incorrect image of our green nation? What would happen if we re-introduced bears or wolves? Why should we stop hiking and start exploring?
In this episode of How to be Irish, I sit down with Soil Boy to explore Ireland’s deep but often fraught connection to nature.
From the biodiversity crisis to the cultural significance of hedgerows, we delve into how Ireland’s green image contrasts sharply with the reality of our low forest cover and declining native lands.
Soil Boy’s journey as a nature educator and his work on the Feet on the Soil podcast have been guided by a love for the outdoors, cultivated in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains.
Together, we discuss how Irish folklore, seasonal rituals, and a renewed connection to the land can help us address the environmental challenges we face today.
If you’ve ever wondered why biodiversity matters, how to forage for elderberries, or what it means to truly be part of nature, this episode is for you.
Bain taitneamh as!
Topics covered
The loss of native forestry: Why did Ireland’s native tree cover reduce to 1%?
The truth behind Ireland’s "green" image: A reality check on biodiversity.
How understanding Irish folklore can help us reconnect with the land.
Foraging in Ireland: Elderberries, hazelnuts, and how to use foraged ingredients.
Hedgerows: Their ecological and cultural importance, and their role in fighting climate change.
Living with the seasons: How to align your life with nature.
Ireland’s native species: badgers, pine martens, deer.
The implications of introducing an apex predator back to Ireland: wolf, bear or lynx?
Resources
Follow Soil Boy on Instagram, and TikTok ,and listen to his podcast Feet on the Soil.
Learn more about foraging in Ireland at Forager.ie.
Try the Merlin Bird ID app for identifying birds in your area.
Follow How to be Irish on Instagram.
Don’t forget to rate, review, and share the podcast!
If you enjoyed this episode, consider supporting the podcast on Patreon to help us bring more stories like this to life. Share this episode with a friend who loves nature or wants to reconnect with their Irish roots.
What does it mean to be Irish? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Beir bua,
Úna xx
Belonging is a fundamental human need—but how does this concept play out in the context of Irish society?
In this episode, I’m joined by social psychologist, social entrepreneur, and founder of Gorm Media, Mamobo Ogoro, to explore the nuances of identity, cultural belonging, and diversity in modern Ireland.
Mamobo shares insights from her research and work in intercultural consultancy, unpacking the linguistic and social dynamics that shape perceptions of inclusion and exclusion in Ireland today.
We discuss:
Why Ireland is a “peach culture” rather than a “coconut culture” (and what that means!)
First impressions of Irish people from a migrant’s perspective
How we can foster greater belonging and intercultural competence in a rapidly diversifying Ireland
The role of language and discourse in creating (or breaking) connections in society
Mamobo also talks about her groundbreaking work with Gorm Media, an award-winning social enterprise that uses creative media and intercultural training to advance belonging and unity across differences. If you’re curious about the intersection of psychology, cultural identity, and social entrepreneurship, this conversation is a must-listen.
Where to Find Gorm Media:
Want More of Mamobo?
Catch her hosting Younified on Newstalk, where she shines a light on diverse voices and stories that reflect the reality of life in Ireland today.
Join the conversation
How to be Irish is on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. Follow us on Instagram for short clips from each episode. Become a patron of the podcast (donate €2 a month).
Beir bua,
Úna xx
What is important to our young people as we head to the polls for the General Election?
Jenny Maguire is the President of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union, a union which represents nearly 20,000 students.
This episode discusses the power of political movements, transgender healthcare, how the Irish language is high on the list of priorities for students, and leveraging your Irishness for comedic effect.
Jenny shares her experiences as a trans woman in Dublin attending an all-boys school, why transgender healthcare in Ireland is one of the worst in the EU, and why Irish people shouldn’t take themselves too seriously.
Keep up to date with Jenny on Instagram , and the work of TCDSU.
How to be Irish is on Instagram, and you can follow me, Úna, on TikTok.
Please consider supporting this podcast by becoming a patron on Patreon. Your generosity helps me to cover the costs of running this podcast such as my editing and design software.
If you are a small Irish business and you are interested in sponsoring this podcast, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. I’d love to chat!
Beir bua,
Úna xx
What does an interaction with an Irish fairy look and feel like? How do we connect with Ireland’s Neolithic and sacred sites? Were our ancestors supernatural beings?
We’re ten episodes in and this one will definitely get you thinking!
Bobbo the Bard is a musician, poet, and author who travels around Ireland, connecting with ancient sacred sites. Through these experiences, he has had multiple interactions with the otherworld.
Bobbo chats to me about how he connects to our Neolithic tombs, cairns and stone circles through sound healing, meditation and following his path of alignment.
We also speak about Irish mythology and how they remain connected to our world today through these magical sites.
If you’re interested in ancient Ireland and the spirituality associated with it, then you will love this episode! Bobbo is very mindful when describing his experiences. I genuinely felt goosebumps and shivers up my spine while listening to him recall his stories.
We cover all the different types of fairies: Banshees, Púcas, and Changelings as well as the Tuatha Dé Dhanann and the connection between them. He tells me about the story of Balor of the Evil Eye, Lú and Cú Chulainn.
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll love Bobbo’s podcast The Creative Space and his TikTok and Instagram. If you’re based in Ireland, you can message him to get a copy of his brand new book ‘My Poetic Awakening’ or it is available to purchase on Amazon.
Did you get shivers listening to Bobbo share his stories?
How to be Irish is on Instagram, and you can follow me, Úna, on TikTok.
Please consider supporting this podcast by becoming a patron on Patreon. Your generosity helps me to cover the costs of running this podcast such as my editing and design software.
If you are a small Irish business and you are interested in sponsoring this podcast, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. I’d love to chat!
Beir bua,
Úna xx
Why did the Irish language start to decline? Why should we be interested in learning Gaeilge? How can you go about bringing more Irish into your everyday life?
Saoirse Garet is a voice facilitator and accent coach who has recently researched the Irish language and vocal identity. In this episode, Saoirse and I discuss how the loss of Irish has affected Irish vocal identity in our connection to our bodies, our minds and ourselves.
We cover:
The current revival of the Irish language
How a mindset shift can help the Irish language to thrive
How playing with a language is the best way to learn
How the erasure of Irish is similar to Indigenous languages
What is Hiberno-English
Míle buíochas to Saoirse for joining me in the How to be Irish studio today. She creates content around the voice on TikTok and Instagram. Be sure to check her socials out too if you would like to learn more about her research and upcoming workshop that was mentioned in the show.
What other topics would you like to see covered by this podcast? Leave a comment.
How to be Irish is on Instagram, and you can follow me, Úna, on TikTok. Please consider supporting this podcast by becoming a patron on Patreon.
Irish language Gaeilge learning Irish podcast decline loss famine Irish in schools
Are the Irish repressed emotionally? How has our history impacted our soma? How are the young people in Ireland working to heal themselves for their future ancestors today?
Caoimhe Gibney, aka The Mindful Physio and founder of the ANAM Collective, facilitates and runs healing retreats. Through her work with Irish people, she has discovered that we all hold a deep sadness within ourselves.
In this episode, we explore the impact of intergenerational trauma on the bodies and lives of the Irish, and how young Irish people are doing the work to heal themselves.
My discussion with Caoimhe includes:
How she transitioned from working as a physiotherapist to finding healing therapies such as yoga, breathwork and Reiki.
What healing actually looks like and how the body responds.
How cultural shifts in Ireland have paved the way for healing from our intergenerational trauma.
How somatic therapies allow us to connect with our ancestors and engage with our spiritual selves.
Coping with trauma: alcoholism in Irish society.
The shared traumas of Irish women passed on from generation to generation.
Caoimhe mentions upcoming retreats in this episode. If you are interested in finding out more, Caoimhe is available on Instagram, TikTok and her website.
Do you think the Irish are traumatised as a result of our history? Let me know in the comments!
How to be Irish is on Instagram, and you can follow me, Úna, on TikTok.
Why did Ireland undergo so much societal change in the 1990s and 2000s? What was it like to be a young woman or a member of the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland in the late 20th century? What are the issues we should be focusing on next in Irish society?
Ailbhe Smyth is an LGBTIQA and feminist activist, campaigner. She was co-director of the Together for Yes campaign to repeal the 8th amendment in 2018, and an academic at UCD where she founded and directed the Women's Studies programme.
Join us in the How to be Irish studio as we discuss:
The referendums of recent years in Ireland and how they came about.
What it was like to be a lesbian in Ireland in the 1980s and 1990s.
How the Catholic Church dominated Irish society for years.
Why climate change needs to be prioritised.
Let me know what you think of this discussion in the comments!
You can follow Ailbhe on X and Instagram.
How to be Irish is on Instagram, and you can follow me, Úna, on TikTok.
Who are the people of Ireland?
How did they spend their days hundreds and thousands of years ago?
How were they perceived and what beliefs did they have?
Emilie O’Driscoll is a content creator who focuses on the topic of the ancient Irish people and their mythology. Join us in the How to be Irish studio this week where we discuss:
What Ireland looked like before colonisation.
Where Halloween gets its origins.
Whether Christianity was a good thing for Ireland or not.
How Irish people are different from the British.
If you enjoyed this chat, then why not give the podcast a 5-star rating? Go raibh míle!
Join Emilie’s Irish history and Irish folklore book club on Substack.
Follow Emilie on TikTok for content on Irish mythology and the ancient Irish people.
Follow the show on Instagram or follow me, Úna, the host on TikTok.
A note on the discussion around the phrase, ‘daoine gorma’: we mentioned that the phrase is no longer used to describe black people in Irish. This is not true. ‘Daoine gorma’ is still the correct translation for black people. The origins of the term are similar in Gaeilge to Scot’s Gaelic. The word ‘gorm’ describes the reflection or iridescence as opposed to a direct translation to blue in English. The word ‘gorm’ covers a wider breadth of the colour scale than ‘blue’, hence its use in ‘daoine gorma’. Secondly, the phrase ‘duine dubh’ is used to describe the devil in Irish, hence why black person is not translated directly to ‘duine dubh’. You can read more about the origins of this phrase here.
TW for this episode: Suicide, Mental Illness
Daragh Fleming is a multi-award-winning poet and author who uses his art to explore and heal mental health and mental illness.
Daragh shares his deeply personal journey, starting with the devastating loss of his best friend to suicide at age 17, and continuing through his own struggles with depression in his early 20s.
He opens up about how writing became his lifeline, offering an outlet for expression in a society that often stigmatises men's mental health.
We also dive into some gripping personal stories, including Daragh's traumatic experience of being catfished and blackmailed, and the shocking tale of a scammer from Cork targeting Irish people in Barcelona.
Daragh caps off the conversation by reading his witty and reflective piece on how the Irish are "Consistently Average."
Resources Mentioned:
Daragh’s award-winning blog: Thoughts Too Big
His podcast: Thoughts Too Loud
Follow Daragh on Instagram and TikTok
Need Support? If you’ve been impacted by the topics discussed, please reach out. Freephone 1800 111 888 or visit yourmentalhealth.ie for mental health support resources in your area.
Get Involved: Vote for the Mental Health Media Awards (MHMA) and support impactful mental health storytelling.
What does it take to climb Mount Everest?
Where are the best pints of Guinness in New York?
What was it like to volunteer in the West Bank?
What is the reality of living in Ireland in your 20s?
Hannah Nash is the host of Greener Fields, a podcast about the realities of life in your 20s and 30s, a time often associated with emigration for Irish people.
Having recorded nearly 90 episodes (and counting), Hannah reflects on what she has learned from speaking to so many young Irish people and their choice to emigrate, come home or stay in Ireland, a choice that is often the least likely!
In this episode, we discuss the meaning of home, mental health and wellbeing, the decline in drinking culture and the rise of the sober movement, as well as Hannah's plans for Greener Fields and her psychotherapy career.
Let me know what you think about the themes discussed in this episode using the comment feature or by engaging with How to be Irish on Instagram.
Follow Hannah, Greener Fields and NASHH on Instagram.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a 5 star rating here on Spotify, or even consider paying me a small token for my work.
Go raibh míle, Úna
Rob O’Donnell is an exciting new voice on the Irish political scene. He’s a Green Party candidate for Limerick County.
In this episode, we chat about climate change and our supposed grá for the land (road frontage etc.!), about local politics and the shift we’re noticing in how people perceive rural Ireland and the Irish language since the pandemic.
Rob also spent time volunteering in the West Bank. It’s where he met his Palestinian dog, Yasser. We chat about his time there and the human rights abuses he witnessed by the Israeli settlers against the Palestinians.
You can follow Rob on Instagram @robodonnellgp and TikTok @tharlear.
John McDonagh is quite the character. He’s an Irish-American born in New York, went to school and lived in Donegal for periods of his life and had been driving a yellow taxi for the past 40 years.
His colourful background in the arts and political activism has left him with a treasure trove of stories about the FBI, Guinness and the Troubles.
John has kindly joined me for my first-ever chat for ‘How to be Irish’ where he gives his insight on the North during the Troubles, the perception of Irish Republicans in the US and the importance of storytelling as part of preserving Irish culture.
I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation. John has a magnificent way with words and has been proudly flying the flag for Ireland in New York all his life.
Keep up to date with John:
Instagram: @cabtivist
For details about John’s upcoming shows and events: www.offthemeter.net
Pat Falvey is a world record-breaking Irish explorer, having been the first person to climb the highest Seven Summits of the world, twice! His journey starts from a council house in the Northside of Cork City, where he watched planes taking off and landing at Cork airport.
He was a dreamer who went on to achieve his dreams such as climbing Mount Everest, leading great expeditions to some of the most extreme corners of our globe, and learning life's most important lessons from the remotest of tribes.
In this episode, Pat talks about growing up as a Norrie, going on to become a millionaire aged just 20, to losing it all and becoming depressed aged 29.
He explains how climbing Mount Carrauntoohil in County Kerry saved his life, as it gave him a new goal and motivation - to reach the summit of the highest mountain of them all, Mount Everest.
Pat explains what he has learned from his achievements and his failures and how being Irish has been an important part of it all.
Follow Pat and his adventures over on patfalvey.com, or @patfalveyexplorer on Instagram and YouTube.
