How to be Irish

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In this episode, I chat with Regina Sexton, Ireland’s leading food and culinary historian, all about the history of Irish food.

We chat about:

• Irish heritage dishes and the reason why we don’t seem to have as many as other nations

• why our cuisine is perceived as bland

• what we used to eat both pre- and post-famine

• how the famine may have affected our eating habits and our relationship with food as a people

• how, what and why we farmed

• alcohol through the ages in Irish society

• As well as some interesting tales about iconic Irish food brands such as Tayto and Jacob’s!

Thank you for your support this season. Please help me out by donating the price of a coffee to help me cover the cost of the software and hardware I need to create this podcast.

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In this episode, Úna Harty interviews Gemma McSherry, a journalist, author and content creator from the North of Ireland.

They discuss Gemma's upbringing in a divided society, her experiences with fundamentalist religion, and the cultural phenomenon of 'coffee shop Christians.'

Gemma shares insights from her forthcoming book, which reflects on growing up in a conservative small town in the North.

The conversation also touches on the complexities of Irish identity, the potential for a united Ireland, and the challenges faced by women in Irish society.

Gemma emphasises the importance of unapologetic self-expression and the need for solidarity in discussions about reunification.

This is essential listening for anyone looking to understand what it is like to be from a small town in the North of Ireland / Northern Ireland.

GEMMA MCSHERRY

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodwillcxunting?lang=en-GB

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodwillcxunting/

Let me know what you thought of this episode by leaving a comment!

In this episode, Úna speaks with Leon Diop, about his experiences of growing up in Tallaght as a mixed race.

We cover race, ethnicity, family dynamics and class in this emotional conversation where Leon shares the difficulties he faced during his childhood and teenage years, and how he turned his life around, all while grappling with his mixed race identity.

We discuss:

• Racism in Ireland

• His relationship with his Senegalese father

• Cultural and religious differences

• How fear is the greatest motivator

• Why we should be hopeful

Find Leon’s book ‘Mixed Up: An Irish Boy’s Journey to Belonging’ in all good bookstores in Ireland, including Books Upstairs and Dubray Books in Dublin. You can also order it directly from the publisher, Little Island.

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In this lighter episode of How to be Irish Úna welcomes freelance journalist Kate Demolder to explore iconic moments in Irish pop culture from the 1980s to today, and how they shape Irishness and what it means to be Irish.

From the bold actions of Virgin Megastore in the '80s to the unforgettable Sinead O'Connor moment on SNL, and the rise of Irish talent in the 2020s, Úna and Kate delve into the stories that have shaped Ireland's cultural landscape.

Tune in for a mix of humour, history, and heartfelt discussion on what it means to be Irish. 

Independents, referendums, the single transferable vote - a few of the idiosyncrasies of the Irish political system that we sometimes take for granted.

This week I chat to Professor in the Department of the Government and Politics in UCC, Dr Theresa Reidy, about the unique aspects of the Irish political landscape. Theresa is an expert in how Irish people cast their votes in elections and referendums.

We'll cover:

- The recent presidential election

- Spoiled votes

- Declining voter turnout

- Referendums and civic engagement

- Independent candidates and how they fracture politics

- The community-based, regional flavour of Irish politics

Leave a comment to let me know what you thought of the episode!

In this episode, we explore the rich history of the Lecale Peninsula with guest Duane Fitzsimons, who delves into the Norman invasion of Ireland, the significance of Dublin as a separate kingdom, and the historical importance of Downpatrick, County Down.

The conversation also touches on cultural connections between Ireland and Portugal, the political landscape of Ireland during the Norman period, and the assimilation of the Normans into Irish culture.

Duane shares insights from his personal journey through family history and offers tips for exploring one's own genealogy.

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Chapters

00:00 Exploring the Lecale Peninsula

01:12 The Norman Invasion of Ireland

05:49 Dublin: A Kingdom of Opportunity

09:52 The Historical Significance of Lecale

14:58 The Saints of Downpatrick

19:25 Cultural Connections: Ireland and Portugal

20:16 Understanding Ireland's Political Landscape

23:22 The Normans: Assimilation and Identity

28:45 The Impact of the Reformation

31:41 The Plantation of Ulster

32:59 Dialect and Language Connections

38:33 Personal Journey Through Family History

39:30 What It Means to Be Irish

41:00 Tips for Exploring Family History

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Lecale Peninsula, Norman invasion, Irish history, Downpatrick, cultural connections, family history, genealogy, Ireland, heritage, historical tours

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)

Her Keys to the City

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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