Hibernian Radio with Mike "Houli" Houlihan

This week on Hibernian Radio, host Mike Houlihan welcomes back longtime friend Patrick Fitzmaurice, retired Chicago Fire Department paramedic chief and one of the most respected emergency medical professionals ever to serve the city. Fitzmaurice reflects on a career spent responding to life-and-death emergencies, including the unforgettable rescue of a newborn baby discovered in a garbage can on a cold Chicago night. His account of the coordinated efforts of firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and hospital staff serves as a powerful tribute to Chicago’s first responders and their commitment to saving lives. The conversation also explores the emotional toll of emergency work, as Fitzmaurice speaks candidly about trauma, PTSD, and the importance of critical incident stress debriefing for first responders. Mike and Patrick also honor the legacy of Patrick’s late brother Terry Fitzmaurice, a legendary union leader whose lifelong dedication to organized labor recently earned posthumous recognition from the Irish Echo Labor Awards. It’s a heartfelt conversation about service, sacrifice, family, and the people who dedicate their lives to helping others when it matters most.

Sponsored By: Fox’s Pizza of Mokena and Orland Park, Flood Bros. Disposal , Madden Funds and Local 150 Engineers 

This week on Hibernian Radio, Mike Houlihan opens the show with a packed slate of upcoming Hibernian Media events, including the Irish American Movie Hooley Film Festival (Sept. 25–27), the Movie Houli Salon at Gaelic Park on May 30, and the upcoming Skinny & Houli Return to Ireland Tour (Oct. 20–28), celebrating the spirit of the late Baz O’Brien with stops, stories, music, and plenty of Irish mischief along the way. Mike also proudly announces a special June 3rd benefit concert at Robert’s Westside for his granddaughter Charlotte “Lottie” Houlihan and her band Lottie and the Drama, helping send the talented young songwriter to NYU’s prestigious summer songwriting workshop. Make a donation or buy tix at his link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/lottie-and-the-drama-at-roberts-westside

The featured guest this week is the legendary Skinny Sheahan, longtime Chicago special events director, South Side Irish institution, and one of the city’s all-time great storytellers. Skinny revisits decades of St. Patrick’s Day parade history, political maneuvering, and behind-the-scenes City Hall battles, including the saga of bringing the South Side Irish Parade back from the dead after city officials tried to shut it down for good. Skinny reflects on raising more than $1.8 million for Special Children’s Charities through Chicago’s famous polar plunges, shares memories of working with Special Olympics athletes, and recounts classic tales involving Mayor Daley, Rahm Emanuel, the Dalai Lama, and a Jane Byrne impersonator who nearly caused a political panic at a fundraiser. Along the way, he mixes humor, old-school Chicago politics, and heartfelt reflections on community service, friendship, and the South Side Irish tradition.

Sponsored By: Fox’s Pizza of Mokena and Orland Park, Flood Bros., Madden Funds and Local 150 Engineers 

This week on Hibernian Radio, Mike Houlihan welcomes retired Chicago Police Sergeant, professor, and author Larry Casey back to the show for a conversation packed with stories, humor, and hard-earned perspective. With more than 33 years on the job, a decade teaching criminology at Wright College, and multiple books already under his belt, Larry has spent a lifetime collecting stories and this episode proves he hasn’t run out of them. Larry opens up about one of the toughest battles of his life, surviving a devastating bout with West Nile virus that landed him in intensive care and forced him through a long and difficult recovery. With his trademark humor intact, he shares stories from the experience, including an ambulance mishap that somehow sounds like it could have come straight out of one of his books, while reflecting on the support of his family and the role Shirley Ryan Rehab played in helping him get back on his feet. From there, Mike and Larry head back to the streets and classrooms. Larry revisits his years on the Chicago Police Department, the camaraderie that defined police work, and the honest storytelling that inspired his writing career under the pen name “Murph.” He shares stories from his years teaching at Wright College, where practical life lessons and old-school values often left just as much impact as the coursework itself. The conversation also previews Larry’s upcoming book, Untold Stories of a Chicago Police Officer, a new collection of funny, heartfelt, and unforgettable tales from a life spent serving others. With proceeds supporting the Police Memorial Foundation, Larry explains why preserving these stories and the people behind them still matters. Like the best Hibernian Radio conversations, this episode blends humor, resilience, service, and Chicago character into a reminder that the best storytellers are often the people who have actually lived it.

Sponsored By: Fox’s Pizza (Mokena and Orland Park), Flood Bros., Madden Funds and Local 150 Engineers

This week on Hibernian Radio, Mike Houlihan welcomes educator and public administrator Paul Vallas for a wide-ranging conversation on Chicago politics, education, and public safety, with a focus on the city’s current direction and the challenges facing its leadership. Vallas discusses his work with the Urban Center, a grassroots political organization focused on supporting local candidates and influencing policy at the city and school board level, as well as the broader landscape of the Chicago mayoral race and low voter turnout across key wards. He offers sharp criticism of the Chicago Teachers Union, arguing that it has become overly politicized and has negatively impacted schools and underserved communities, particularly during and after the COVID-19 shutdowns. The conversation also turns to public safety, where Vallas breaks down the effects of the consent decree, the SAFE-T Act, and evolving bail and policing policies, pointing to increased litigation, operational strain on police, and what he sees as unintended consequences for street-level enforcement. He also addresses the role of the media, the rise of alternative news outlets, and the influence of figures like Kim Foxx in shaping the current criminal justice environment. It’s a direct and pointed discussion on the intersection of politics, education, and policing in Chicago, and what Vallas sees as the urgent need for structural change and stronger civic engagement.

Sponsored By: Fox’s Pizza (Orland Park and Mokena), Flood Bros. Disposal, Madden Funds and Local 150 Engineers

This week on Hibernian Radio, Mike Houlihan welcomes series regular and retired 30-year Cook County Sheriff’s Police veteran Jeff Lange for a wide-ranging conversation on a career spent in narcotics investigations, undercover operations, and law enforcement training across Cook County. Lange reflects on his 22 years as a narcotics investigator and 18 years as an academy instructor, where he helped train and mentor new recruits entering the Sheriff’s Police. Lange also recognize recent community events, including a street dedication honoring fallen officer Jimmy Knapp, highlighting the lasting bonds and sacrifices within law enforcement. The conversation moves through Jeff’s extensive career in narcotics and gang investigations, including complex undercover work, surveillance operations, and major cases involving organized street gangs such as the Gangster Disciples and Latin Kings. He breaks down the importance of informants, wiretaps, tactical planning, and the detailed intelligence work required to build strong cases in high-level investigations. Lange also shares reflections from his years in the field and in training, emphasizing the importance of preparation, officer safety, and mentorship, as well as the unique experiences that come with a long career in law enforcement. It’s a grounded and insightful conversation offering a firsthand look at decades of policing in Chicago and Cook County.

Sponsored By: Fox’s Pizza of Mokena and Orland Park, Flood Bros., Madden Funds and Local 150 Engineers

This week on Hibernian Radio, Paddy Houlihan welcomes retired Commander Bruce Quintos, a Chicago native whose life blends law enforcement, music, and Irish heritage into one remarkable story. Raised on the West Side by a Filipino father who was a barber and boxer and an Irish mother from County Down, Bruce grew up surrounded by discipline, music, and strong family ties. At St. Rita High School he formed a band with classmates who would later become Chicago police officers, setting the stage for a life that would always balance music and service. Bruce went on to a 30-year career in law enforcement, beginning with Chicago Ridge PD and later the Cook County Forest Preserve Police, where he worked undercover narcotics cases involving drugs and biker gangs. Even during those demanding years, he never left music behind. That passion led him to the Emerald Society Pipes and Drums in 1993, where he rose to Pipe Major and helped modernize the group’s Irish repertoire. The band performed at major events, including Carnegie Hall after 9/11, becoming a fixture in Chicago’s Irish American community. He later helped form the Chicago Garda Pipes and Drums, dedicated to honoring veterans through music. Now more than 35 members strong, the group includes law enforcement and civilians and continues to perform at funerals and memorials. Their recent trip to Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day brought that mission full circle, performing in Galway alongside families. Bruce also shares lighter moments from his career, including Chicago ghost stories, police camaraderie, and the humor that carried him through decades of service. At its heart, this episode is about identity, tradition, and the unexpected ways music and duty come together.

Sponsored By: Fox’s Pizza (Orland Park & Mokena), Flood Brothers Disposal, Madden Funds and Local 150 Engineers

This week on Hibernian Radio, host Mike Houlihan welcomes back returning guest Dan McDevitt for a fast moving and story rich conversation spanning a 36 year career in military service, NCIS, the Illinois State Police, and as chief of police in Homewood and Lansing. From a Super Bowl sting operation that netted 53 fugitives to the unforgettable characters of Chicago policing, McDevitt shares firsthand accounts from the field that capture both the grit and humor of the job. Beyond the war stories, the conversation turns to family, faith, and legacy, as McDevitt reflects on the people who shaped his life and the pride he takes in his children and grandchildren. He also shares meaningful experiences traveling to Ireland, including visiting his ancestral home in County Donegal, and the lasting connection it created. As always, the episode highlights Hibernian Media’s broader mission of bringing the Irish diaspora together through storytelling, film, and community.

Sponsored By: Fox’s Pizza (Mokena and Orland Park), Flood Bros., Madden Funds and Local 150 Engineers

This week on Hibernian Radio, host Mike Houlihan welcomes back retired Chicago Police Detective Billy Donnelly for a conversation focused on his decades of public service, Irish tradition, and continued community involvement. Donnelly reflects on his 29-year marriage and his two sons, one in medical school and the other working in cybersecurity, before revisiting his career that began with the Burbank Police Department and continued through nearly three decades with the Chicago Police Department. He discusses his time working patrol, tactical assignments, and detective work, and the relationships built through years in the job. A major focus of the conversation is Donnelly’s longtime involvement with the Emerald Society, where he has spent years performing as a bagpiper in St. Patrick’s Day parades and Irish events throughout Chicago and beyond. He and Houlihan also talk about his ongoing work with the Fr. Perez Knights of Columbus and the importance of community service, charity work, and staying active in local Irish-American organizations. It is a reflective conversation on career, tradition, and service, grounded in Donnelly’s lifelong connection to both law enforcement and Chicago’s Irish community.

Sponsored By: Fox’s Pizza of Mokena and Orland Park, Flood Bros., Madden Funds and Local 150 Engineers

This week on Hibernian Radio, we go into the archives of May of 2025 when Paddy Houlihan sat down with Caitlyn Brennan, CEO of the 100 Club of Illinois, for a powerful conversation about supporting first responders and their families, with a strong focus on mental health and community care. Caitlyn shares her South Side roots, Irish background, and path into public service, before diving into the mission of the 100 Club, a nearly 60-year-old organization that provides immediate financial assistance, educational support, and long-term resources for families of first responders lost in the line of duty. The conversation centers on the growing mental health crisis facing police, fire, and EMS, as Caitlyn discusses the stigma around seeking help and the importance of trauma-informed care. She outlines the organization’s efforts to connect first responders with vetted clinicians, provide critical incident support, and advocate for better policies, including the push to reinstate the Illinois First Responder Suicide Task Force. It’s an important and insightful episode highlighting the real challenges first responders face and the work being done to ensure they and their families are supported every step of the way.

Sponsored By: Fox’s Pizza (Orland Park & Mokena), Flood Bros., Madden Funds and Local 150 Engineers

This week on Hibernian Radio, hosts Mike and Paddy Houlihan go guest-free and take a lively look at where they’ve been and where Hibernian Media is headed next. They kick things off by recapping their latest Movie Hooley screening of Her Majesty the Queen at Gaelic Park, a night filled with former St. Patrick’s Day parade queens, great stories, and the kind of loosely organized magic that somehow always works. The film, originally shot back in 2009 and 2010, continues to serve as a love letter to Chicago’s Irish American community and its rich traditions. From there, the conversation turns to the grind and joy of building a media company from scratch. With more than 300 interviews and over 600 episodes in the archive, Paddy and Mike reflect on just how much of their lives and the community’s story they’ve captured over the years. Now, the focus shifts to the future, with excitement around using AI tools to unlock that archive, expand their reach, and finally scale distribution without adding overhead. Enter “Seamus” and “Sheila,” their not-so-hypothetical AI helpers tasked with doing the heavy lifting. They also float the idea of launching a new Hibernian Media newsletter, a more frequent way to connect with the Irish diaspora by blending archived content, new material, and community-driven stories. As always, the episode is sprinkled with humor, off-the-cuff storytelling, and a few classic Houli tangents, but grounded in a deeper mission to preserve and promote Irish American culture while honoring the contributions of first responders and the broader community. It’s a mix of reflection, ambition, and classic pub-style conversation as Paddy and Mike continue building something bigger than themselves, one story at a time.

Sponsored By: Fox’s Pizza of Mokena and Orland Park, Flood Bros., Madden Funds and Local 150 Engineers