The Better Side - Aodhán Ó Ríordáin PodCast with Near FM

A discussion with feminist and activist Máirín de Burca about her campaigning life – feminism, housing action campaign, and throwing an egg at President Richard Nixon.

Máirín served three months in prison for her anti-war activity, helped to highlight the housing crisis of the 1960s and 1970s and more recently has been heavily involved in the Credit Union Movement.

Razan Ibraheem & Síomha Hennessy

An open and frank discussion with Syrian journalist Razan and Refugee Rights Campaigner Síomha.

Razan discusses her upbringing in Syria, her life in Ireland and her hopes for her country as it experiences the most unspeakable human plight in its history.

She is joined by Síomha who outlines the aims of the ‘I Welcome Campaign’ (@iwelcomecamp) and they both openly challenge the reasons for lack of political action around Direct Provision and debate the record of the last government of which Aodhán was a member.

They jointly call for more public awareness and engagement on the Syrian crisis and Refugee Policy in Ireland.

Hilary Benn MP:

The British Labour Party MP Hilary Benn joins Aodhán for a discussion on his background, his politics and his hope for the future.

Hilary speaks about growing up in a political household, the influence of his American mother on his life, the impact on Brexit and the challenges for the centre-left in Europe.

The influence of his father and left-wing icon Tony Benn, the murder of Jo Cox MP and the future for the British Labour Party also feature strongly in the conversation.

Lise Hand:

Journalist and commentator Lise Hand joins Aodhán to talk about politics, her friendship with Veronica Guerin and her new short film entitled ‘The Eleventh Hour’.

Lise gives an insight into the culture of Leinster House, her route into journalism, her passion for Manchester United and the murder of her friend and colleague Veronica Guerin.

Her short story ‘The Eleventh Hour’ based on the events of September 11th 2001 in New York, has been adapted into a short film directed by Jim Sheridan and has a message for the times we live in.

 

Aodhán speaks with Cork footballing legend Valerie Mulcahy – winner of ten senior All-Ireland medals – and an outspoken advocate for gender equality in sport and LGBT rights in society.

Valerie talks about her football career, the ethic of that incredibly successful Cork side, the ongoing battle for parity of esteem with the men’s game and her personal campaigning for Marriage Equality and LGBT rights in Ireland.

In this episode of The Better Side Aodhán speaks with renowned sports journalist and Newstalk FM broadcaster Ger Gilroy.

Ger discusses the fallout from his recent explosive interviews with Lance Armstrong and Tyrone footballer Cathal McCarron, his Belfast roots, the importance of sport in society and his passion for Educate Together schooling.

The Better Side is a series of interviews discussing hope and delivering change with a respected voice.

In this episode Aodhán speaks with Nick Clegg MP, former leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Nick discusses his views on racism, his time in government, the failures of David Cameron and his passion for reform in international drug policy.

The Better Side is a series of interviews discussing hope and delivering change with a respected voice. In this episode Aodhán meets actor, comedian and author Tara Flynn.

Tara discusses growing up in Kinsale, her professional life and her activism with causes such as anti-racism, ‘Repeal the 8th’ and Marriage Equality.

In the first of a series of interviews discussing hope and delivering change with a respected voice, Aodhán meets former Republic of Ireland football manager Brian Kerr. Brian discusses his childhood, his football life and his work with “Sport Against Racism Ireland”. He talks about his Belfast roots, losing his father at a young age and how sport has influenced his work with migrants in Ireland.