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:

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:

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.

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
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Sian Conway food writer
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veganism to omnivore journey
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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:

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

Resources

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:

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

• If you’re curious about the Irish language then this episode is for you!

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:

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:

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.