Moore Holmes is a loyalist activist, community advocate and commentator. As a teacher he is passionate about educating the next generation through the think tank and advocacy group, Lets Talk Loyalism about appropriate political steps and articulating a coherent argument for the Union from a loyalist perspective.

In this episode we talk to Moore about the Union and community political advocacy at the grassroots in loyalist communities.

This is part 2 of a Shrapnel Special. Part one with Prof Colin Harvey is out here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-89959523

Colin Harvey is Professor of Human Rights Law in the School of Law, Director of the Human Rights Centre, a Fellow of the Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, and an Associate Fellow of the Institute of Irish Studies. He is also a Commissioner on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, a campaigner for a new Ireland and member of Ireland's Future.

In this episode we talk to Prof. Harvey about the constitution and what a rights based society might look like.

This episode is part of a Shrapnel 2 part special - The Moore Holmes podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-89959808

Listeners would be aware of one of our regular contributors, the young journalist in Gaza, Palestine, Mahmoud Mushtaha and his reports on the events in the area. He rejoined us to bring us up to speed on the latest impacts of the conflict, the growing problem of food insecurity (40% don't know where their next meal is coming from) and the increase in (illegal) settler violence.  

We had some problems with Mahmoud's line, but please bare with it. His description of recently losing his friend and the feeling of being trapped by the Israeli blockade has to be heard. 

Tickets for Thursday:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tortoise-shack-live-tickets-698299581847?aff=oddtdtcreator

Promo Code SHACKFAM

The Liffey was not too long ago a salmon fishing river. But in only a few decades, despite improvements in the water qualit, stocks of fish have fallen from several thousand to around 300. Why and what can be done to fix it?

Joining me is Director of Liffey Salmon Project, Mark McAndrew, and he’s a man with not just a plan, but in a fantastic initiative he’s working with about 12 others to bring the Liffey back to life. A great listen  

We have a few things on tomorrow, but rather than leave you without a wrap of the week Sunday Show, we decided to do it on a Saturday. 

Joining us is Shrapnel cohost and future leader of lefty Irish twitter, Sam Mcilwaine. We talk libraries unable to buy books, Stormont stalemate moving along the case for reform, the gallows outside the Dáil and the main enablers of the far right, the neoliberal "we need more unemployment" argument becoming a newspaper column, the pointless UN meeting and Trump worrying about the potential for World War II, (no really).

Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tortoise-shack-live-tickets-698299581847?aff=oddtdtcreator

Promo code SHACKFAM

Stephen R. Millar is Lecturer in Anthropology and Ethnomusicology. His research and teaching focuses on music, conflict, and cultures of resistance, with an emphasis on Britain and Ireland.
Stephen's first book Sounding Dissent: Rebel Songs, Resistance, and Irish Republicanism (University of Michigan Press 2020) explores how Irish republicans have used rebel songs to resist against the hegemonic power of the British state.
Stephen's current book project, under contract with Oxford University Press, examines the interconnection between Ulster loyalist songs and political violence in Northern Ireland from the Troubles to the present.
In this episode we talked to Stephen about the importance of preserving political music as part of our historical understanding of communities in conflict.

We all witnessed the scenes yesterday outside the Dáil and if you're a regular listener to us you won't have been surprising. But how has this happened? Who are the enablers? What can we do about bystanders? And has the left got a plan or vision to help?

A very, very member-only podcast 

Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tortoise-shack-live-tickets-698299581847?aff=erelexpmlt

Promo Code SHACKFAM

In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks to a panel of very special guests form Finland, Scotland and Ireland, who all work in the area of youth homelessness and housing. Joining him are Hilma Sormunen, from NAL, which builds and rents youth affordable housing in Finland (they talk about the Finnish experience of successfully reducing homelessness and their approach to housing as a social right and housing first approach),  Tracey Longworth from Almond Housing Association, and Audrey Heron from Rock Trust in Scotland (who dicuss the Scottish homelessness and housing crisis, and what is being done there through Housing First for youth to provide homes), and finally Clare Austick, Housing Policy Manager with Cluid Housing, a not for profit housing provider in Ireland about what is being done in Ireland.

Thank you for an informed and engaging conversation

Longtime listeners would know journalist and friend of the pod, Hannah McCarthy, for her previous podcasts with us from Afghanistan, Lebanon and Ukraine. Well this time in a rare treat she was back in Dublin and joined me in the tortoise shack to tell us all about her recent trip accompanying Tanaiste Micheal Martin in Israel and Palestine. 

Hannah, as always, spoke to some great sources and has great insights on the trip, Ireland's position, Israel/EU relations and more. A must listen!

In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks with Assistant Professor in Economics from Trinity College, Dr Barra Roantree about the reality of income inequality in Ireland. We discuss what is inequality, wealth and income inequality trends, and look at what can be done about it through taxation. 

Barra outlines the main findings of the ESRI report that he co-wrote, 'Poverty, Income Inequality and Living Standards in Ireland', which showed that income inequality has increased in Ireland in recent years, particularly for groups like Lone Parents (42% in deprivation). We also have a robust discussion on approaches to taxing REITs and a national state building company to solve the housing crisis.