Hibernian Radio with Mike "Houli" Houlihan

Jeff and Cathy Lange

Hey Hibernian Radio fans! We’ve got a real treat for you this week—a “Best of Jeff Lange” episode.

Jeff holds the all-time record for guest appearances on the show—and with good reason. His stories from over 30 years with the Cook County Sheriff’s Police are the stuff of legend: hilarious, jaw-dropping, and 100% unforgettable.

We’ve dug into the archives to bring you some of Jeff’s greatest hits:
– The wild story of how he met his wife Kathleen (hint: it started with a jailhouse parking lot feud).
– His adrenaline-pumping undercover escapades.
– And yes, how he somehow ended up as an ordained minister.

Jeff and Kathleen (who joins in a segment) pull no punches, sharing unfiltered, often outrageous tales from their days on the job. One minute you’re laughing, the next you’re holding your breath. This power couple has seen—and done—it all.

Big love to our amazing sponsors who help bring this show to life: Madden Funds, Flood Brothers Disposal, Fox’s Pizza and Local 150 Operating Engineers.

Tune in now and relive the magic of Jeff Lange!

Detective Tom Curran Shares His Journey on Hibernian Radio

This week, host Paddy Houlihan welcomes Detective Tom Curran—a proud second-generation Irish-American with deep County Kerry roots and over 25 years of service with the Chicago Police Department.

Tom shares his remarkable journey from childhood summers on the family farm in Ireland to patrolling some of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods. He reflects on his time at Ground Zero after 9/11, the evolving role of detectives in the digital age, and how his Irish upbringing continues to influence his work and life.

Now focused on training the next generation of officers, Tom brings a wealth of experience and heartfelt stories to the studio—offering a unique look at life in law enforcement, Irish-American pride, and the bonds that hold both communities together.

Special thanks to the great sponsors who make this show possible:
Fox’s Pizza, Flood Brothers Disposal, Local 150, and Madden Funds

Pour yourself a pint and enjoy a thoughtful, compelling conversation straight from the heart of Chicago’s Irish-American community.

Grab Your Pint and Listen Up: Tom Herion’s Wild Ride Through Chicago’s Irish Scene! Host Paddy Houlihan sits down with Tom Herion – the police chief who somehow runs the Irish American Heritage Center and leads the Chicago Garda Pipes and Drum Band. This year, the band crushed it with an incredible 105 performances from February to March, including media spots and St. Patrick’s Day events that had everyone talking! Tom shares hilarious stories about chasing bad guys, playing bagpipes, and keeping Chicago’s Irish spirit alive. From his father’s legendary battles with the Chicago Outfit to this year’s record-breaking musical marathon, it’s a conversation packed with more excitement than a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Brought to you by the local legends who keep Chicago running: Fox’s Pizza, Flood Bros. Disposal, Local 150, and Madden Funds! Tune in and get ready for a wild ride through Chicago’s Irish-American world!

Grace McKee’s Royal Journey In this week’s Hibernian Radio show, brought to you by Madden Funds, Flood Brothers Disposal, and Fox’s Pizza, host Paddy Houlihan sits down with Grace McKee, the vibrant 47th South Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen who’s capturing hearts across Chicago. Grace isn’t your typical pageant winner. She’s a dynamic aviation consultant with a master’s in aerospace sustainability, and her roots run deep in the Beverly neighborhood’s rich Irish-American community. Coming from a family with generations of involvement in the Chicago Stockyard Kilty Band, Grace represents more than just a title—she embodies the spirit of Chicago’s Irish traditions. During an engaging conversation, Grace shares how she unexpectedly entered the Queen competition, her work with Make-a-Wish Foundation, and her upcoming plans to represent the parade. From her childhood drumming in the band to now leading the parade, her story is a testament to family, community, and heritage. Tune in to hear how one young woman is carrying forward a cherished community celebration, proving that the spirit of the South Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade is alive and well. Slainte!

Flood Bros Disposal, Madden Funds, Fox’s Pizza, and Local 150 Operating Engineers present Hibernian Radio and this week we jump-start the Paddy’s Day festivities as Paddy Houlihan himself welcomes 2025 Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen Cara Walsh and her court, Claire Cahill, Kathleen Foley and Colleen Kelch to the show. These four lovely young ladies are proud to represent Irish American women and they are exemplary ambassadors as they tell stories of the fun and drama of the entire “Queen” process. Lots of laughs on this show this week folks and we meet the crème de la crème of Chicago’s Irish females who do themselves and Local 130, (longtime sponsors of the parade), very proud.  Four very engaging young ladies this week, don’t miss this show!

Flood Bros Disposal, Madden Funds, Fox’s Pizza, and Local 150 Operating Engineers present this week’s show as Paddy Houlihan interviews man-about-town and Chicago bon vivant and self-proclaimed “professional Irishman” Eamonn Cummins to the show. Eamonn tells us of his mom and dad, both from Ireland, and his family growing up in Chicago. He’s involved in several charities and is the go- to guy for Irish culture all over our city. He’s a super busy businessman who makes great introductions all over town, always there to help fellow Irish American brothers and sisters navigate the murky waters of Chicago’s Irish community. Eamonn tells some very funny stories about his dad and his mom instructing Eamonn to call Dad’s favorite pub, “Stinkys” looking for him whenever he was late for dinner. Great guest this week folks, he’ll be back!

Flood Broos. Disposal, Madden Funds, Fox’s Pizza, and Local 150 Operating Engineers present a great conversation with retired CFD Paramedic Chief Patrick Fitzmaurice as he and Paddy Houlihan discuss his career of 45 years, 7 months, and 28 days as maybe the most passionate advocate for support of our EMT’s in Chicago history. Pat was our first guest when we started Hibernian Radio back in 2019 dedicated to our Irish First Responders and his passion burns even brighter today than it did back then. He was an outspoken critic of the status quo and along the way he managed to piss off plenty of politicians, including the nine fingered ballerina Rahm Emanuel. Tune into this show and you will be mesmerized by Patrick’s stories and passion for the job, that he obviously still feels to this day. Might be one of our greatest guests of all time! Oh, he’ll be back!

Martha Murphy & Dr.Christine Lawless

Flood Bros. Disposal, Fox’s Pizza, Madden Funds and Local 150 Operating Engineers present Hibernian Radio as Paddy Houlihan welcomes two elegant ladies, Dr. Christine Lawless and Martha Murphy, both from the Chicago Irish Singers to tonight’s show. Christine formed the group after a long medical career as a heart surgeon and it now has over 200 traditional singers in the club, ranging in age from as young as two to 89! Both gals take turns singing a few songs tonight as they prep for their concert the following night with Celtic Thunder at the Irish American Heritage Center.  They are also prepping for two upcoming workshops and concerts on March 1st and 2nd at the IAHC and Gaelic Park, featuring Eimear Arkins, Diarmuid O Meachair, and Niall Wall.  Tune in to hear their songs and stories of how they built a community dedicated to Irish songs in English and Irish!

Flood Bros. Disposal, Fox’s Pizza, Madden Funds and Local 150 Operating Engineers present Hibernian Radio and tonight Paddy Houlihan interviews Daniel J. Kearns, President of the Emerald Society of Illinois, he was born in St. Andrews Parish on the Northside of Chicago to Peter J. Kearns and Marilyn J. (O’Rielly) Kearns. Daniel is 11th child of eleven children and father to one son Daniel Peter Kearns.