Never Have I Ever with Claire Byrne

Never Have I Ever is the podcast where Claire Byrne explores things she's never done by talking to people who have. This week, she steps up to the front of the room. 

Claire's been to plenty of weddings and funerals, but she's never been the person leading the ceremony. So, in episode three, she meets Karen Dempsey, one of Ireland's best-known celebrants and the founder of Entheos Ireland. 

They explore what it means to be invited into people's most intimate moments. From weddings filled with hope to deathbed ceremonies and the funerals of babies and children, Karen reflects on the privilege and emotional weight of her work. Claire asks how anyone can carry those experiences, while Karen explains her mission to create spaces for people who feel excluded from traditional faith, including many LGBTQ+ people who still want spirituality to be part of their lives. 

And the big question: should Claire keep being a guest, or is it time she stepped up and became a celebrant herself? 

Email: [email protected] 

💒 Weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies and more — discover Karen's work and the story of Entheos at: https://entheos.ie/ 

Never Have I Ever is the podcast where Claire Byrne explores things she's never done by talking to people who have. This week, she enters the world of wigs, make-up, high heels, and larger-than-life characters. 

What does it feel like to transform yourself completely? To step into someone else's clothes, adopt a different persona and perform it in front of thousands of people? 

In episode two, Claire meets actor and drama teacher Rob Murphy, who every Christmas becomes one of Ireland's best-known panto dames – Buffy. 

Together, they explore the magic of performance, the freedom that comes with becoming somebody else, and how dressing up sometimes reveals more about who you really are. Rob reflects on growing up as a gay teenager in an all-boys school, counting down the days until Friday night when he could finally sing and twirl alongside the girls. 

And the big question: can Rob persuade Claire to put on the wig and become someone else for a night? 

Email: [email protected] 

Aladdin – a Sammy & Buffy Adventure, starring Alan Hughes and Rob Murphy, runs from 8th Dec 2026 – 3rd Jan 2027 at the National Stadium in Dublin. More information at www.panto.ie 

Never Have I Ever is the new podcast where Claire Byrne explores things she's never done by talking to people who have. And where better to begin than with a book? 

Everybody says they have a book in them. But what would happen if you actually sat down and wrote it? 

In episode one, Claire meets bestselling author and psychologist Katriona O'Sullivan, whose books Poor and Hungry have made her one of Ireland's most distinctive voices. 

Together, they explore what it really means to tell your story. How honest can you be about the people you love? Who gets to call themselves a writer? And why do so many of us feel that writing a book is something ‘other’ people do? 

Along the way, they talk about class, confidence, fear, motherhood... and stand-up comedy! 

And the big question: can Katriona persuade Claire to give writing a go?  

Claire Byrne steps outside her own experience — and into other people’s lives — one “I’ve never…” at a time. Because it turns out that the things we’ve never done can say quite a lot about who we are.

Her first guest is author and psychologist Katriona O'Sullivan.

New episodes available every Wednesday morning.

Claire Byrne steps outside her own experience — and into other people’s lives — one “I’ve never…” at a time. Because it turns out that the things we’ve never done can say quite a lot about who we are.

This year’s DIFF saw the premiere of The Charlie O’Leary Story, a film celebrating the extraordinary 102-year-old who helped build the foundations of modern Irish soccer, from the Street Leagues of East Wall to the glory days of Jack Charlton’s Ireland. Emmet Oliver is joined by Fergus Dowd, Producer of The Charlie O'Leary Story & Former League of Ireland footballer, Martin Lawlor, to discuss.

Joining Emmet Oliver to go through what we know following the US & Israel's attacks on Iran are Tara Kangarlou, Award Winning Global Affairs Journalist; Simon Calde, travel correspondent for The Independent; and Paul Brandus, West Wing Reports Founder.

A new study in Frontiers in Aging suggests so-called ‘forever chemicals,’ or PFAS, may be linked to faster biological aging in men aged 50 to 65. But what could be causing this and why just in men? Joining Emmet Oliver to try to get to grips with what’s happening is Ruairi Brannigan, Assistant Professor from DCU’s School of Chemical Sciences.

Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss the latest developments following the US & Israel's attack on Iran, as well as the other stories of the day are Gregg Carlstom, Middle East Corr with the Economist; Scott Lucas, Scott Lucas Professor of US and International Politics the Clinton Institute UCD; Pat Rabbitte, former Leader of the Labour Party; Gina London Communications specialist, Former CNN Correspondent and Sunday Independent Columnist; and Jen Cummins, Social Democrats TD for Dublin South Central.

Spring has sprung, at least if you’re looking at things from a meteorological standpoint, and that means the temperatures will generally be getting higher, and the first shoots of life are beginning to re-emerge. Joining Emmet Oliver to chat through some light and healthy springtime meals we can prepare for this time of new beginnings is Gerry Devlin, Owner of the Dublin Cookery School.