This is series 2 of An Irishwoman’s Diary from The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast, search in your podcast app for An Irishwoman’s Diary to find the six-episode Series 1.

She competed in three separate Olympic games; competed for Ireland in hockey, tennis, sailing and cricket, and even won the support of Eamon deValera who sought her out to compliment her “fine race” at Trinity College in the early 1950s.

But Maeve Kyle fought against all the odds, including her own in-laws, when she decided to compete in the Olympics despite having recently become a mother for the first time.

A letter writer to the Irish Time described her as a “disgrace to motherhood” , but she blew off the criticism to become a popular sporting figure and the backbone of athletics in Ireland for many years.

Irish Examiner columnist Clodagh Finn joins Deirdre to discuss the woman who became known, rather inaptly, as ‘The Kilkenny Kitten’.

Read Clodagh’s column here: Clodagh Finn: They called Maeve Kyle a disgrace to motherhood — then she became an Irish Olympic icon

An Irishwoman's Diary series 1: Meet the Irish women who left their mark on history

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This is series 2 of An Irishwoman’s Diary from The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast, search in your podcast app for An Irishwoman’s Diary to find the six-episode Series 1.

She campaigned for healthcare for infants, set up an almshouse for the poor, introduced carpet weaving to Ireland, bred silkworms at her home and, rather incongruously, took shooting lessons to stop her brother-in-law bullying her (it worked!).

Lady Arabella Denny (yes, like the sausages – a distant branch of the same family) was a woman before her time.

Irish Examiner columnist Clodagh Finn joins Deirdre to discuss the woman who left very explicit – and unusual – instructions for what was to be done when she died.

Read Clodagh’s column: Clodagh Finn: The life and extraordinary death of Arabella Denny

An Irishwoman's Diary series 1: Meet the Irish women who left their mark on history

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“Hell is not the proper place for him”.  

Just one week after the publication of a wide-ranging report into the cover-up around one of Ireland’s most prolific and sadistic child abusers, paedophile Bill Kenneally died in prison on Thursday.  

Survivors estimate that Kenneally abused at least a hundred boys and potentially many more, aided by the total impunity being a member of a powerful political family conferred on him.  

One of those boys, Simon O’Toole, was abused by Kenneally from the age of 11. In today’s episode, he shares how he went from being a clever, engaged child to an angry, hostile young man as Kenneally’s abuse impacted every aspect of his life.  

He describes his battles with alcohol addiction and violence during his forty-year struggle to deal with the impact of years of sexual abuse, torture and degradation.  

After sixteen detoxes, eleven rehabs, and two dozen hospitalisations, it was a conversation about giving up alcohol with the New York nurse who saved his life that finally forced him to confront what he was running from.  

At almost 60, Simon says the vindication of the report and Kenneally’s death represent a turning point for him, and for the 11 year old boy who was “sacrificed” to protect powerful men’s reputations.  

Warning: This episode contains detailed descriptions of abuse and may be distressing for some listeners. 

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode , contact the 24 hour rape crisis hotline on 1800 77 8888. 

Bill Kenneally's victims in line for freedom of Waterford city 

'He died a befitting death for a monster': Bill Kenneally victims react to death 

Victims react as convicted paedophile Bill Kenneally dies in prison aged 75 

Bill Kenneally and Waterford's open secret: The paedophile who ran rampant through the city 

'He's pure evil': Bill Kenneally survivor recounts decades of trauma and the struggle for justice

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 It’s that time of year again, parents are frantically trying to figure out where to warehouse their children over the next 8 weeks, teachers are trying to marshall exhausted children who are staying up too late and everybody is in desperate need of a holiday.

How are working parents meant to manage the summer holidays? Why is there no government assistance for this – and whose responsibility is it, anyway?

Teacher and columnist Jennifer Horgan and parenting podcaster Sinead O’Moore have both written for the Irish Examiner in recent days about school holidays, parenting, and the struggle to balance competing responsibilities.

They join Deirdre on today’s episode to talk about motherhood, compromise, parenting, and what needs to change.

Jennifer Horgan: Teachers aren't responsible for childcare and workplace challenges

Mums need to be honest about the toll of school years — the 'motherhood penalty' is real

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The EU migration pact comes in to force today after a week of anti-immigrant riots in Belfast and amid rampant mis and disinformation on social media.

On this episode Deputy Political Editor Paul Hosford debunks some of the myths around the pact explaining what the pact is, what it means for Ireland and how much it will cost.

This episode covers changes to the asylum process, a hardening of Government policy towards asylum seekers, and the controversy around ‘return hubs’ which would see people sent to third countries with concerning records on human rights like Rwanda and Libya.

ieExplains: What is the EU Migration Pact, and can Ireland opt out?

Ireland not 'ceding any sovereignty' by harmonising our asylum laws with the EU, Taoiseach says

'Incredibly regressive' parts of EU Migration and Asylum Pact 'would make Tommy Robinson blush'

President signs international protection bill into law without Supreme Court referral

Ireland's immigration law 'could become one of Europe's most severe'

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16 year old Paudie Coady has Friedrich’s Ataxia, a rare, degenerative neurological condition. Last year, the same condition claimed the life of his younger brother Rory.

The boys’ mother, Della, has advanced Huntington’s disease.

Their dad Craig is in a race against time. Yesterday, he met Taoiseach Micheál Martin as part of his campaign for the HSE to introduce the drug Skyclarys in Ireland.

Skyclarys would slow down the progression of Paudie’s illness and give him a better quality of life.

Joining Deirdre on today’s episode, Craig said the system for approving new drugs in Ireland is not working.

“Look at the silly money the HSE are spending on mistakes in hospitals. You know, you have someone up there that's going around high fiving, yeah, I saved €500,000 here, I saved €1.2 million here, I saved this here, but yeah, how many lives have you saved?

“If there's a price tag on every child in this country, well, it's a sorry country,” he said.

“Do you want to go to bed every night thinking, God, I hope my child doesn't really get sick because there's no hope?

After meeting Taoiseach Micheál Martin – whom he describes as “a family man”, who was emotional during their meeting – Craig is hopeful that there will be progress on Skyclarys.

“He had a representative down from Dublin, a HSE / Department of Health representative, and he said it is on the agenda for July...  He said that they were trying to push that meeting forward and he was hoping that it would happen.

“He understands that Friedrich’s Ataxia doesn’t wait.”

Craig joins Deirdre O’Shaughnessy on today’s podcast to talk about his meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, losing Rory, and the tragedy of his wife Della’s Huntington’s Disease.

Taoiseach tells Cork dad who lost one son that discussions on life-changing drug for his other son will be brought forward

'I can’t lose him. He is all I have left': Cork father 'begging' for drug for disease affecting son

Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird: How much is my life worth to the HSE?

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We say we’re climate conscious – but we don’t want to modify our behaviour.

We say the government should do more to fight climate change – but not if we have to pay for it.

 The recent Irish Examiner ipsos Behaviour & Attitudes poll revealed a lot about how we view climate change – with unexpected differences between women and men, farmers and non-farmers.

Irish Examiner reporter Sean Murray has been drilling down into it and he’s today’s guest on the podcast.

Irish Examiner poll: People willing to pay €17.15 a week on average to offset red meat consumption

Climate change ranks behind housing, healthcare, and cost of living for voters – poll

Irish people believe in climate change — we just don’t want to pay more for it

Climate & Sustainability - Irish Examiner

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A rift between Michael and Danny Healy Rae was once unthinkable, but in common with other small parties before them, the Healy Rae machine has fallen victim to the perils of Government.

As Mick Clifford wrote in today's Irish Examiner, "The Healy-Raes, that most astute of political entities, have succumbed to the curse of Brendan Behan. They are the latest victims of 'The Split'."

How is the split being received in Leinster House? What does the political future hold for the next generation of Healy Raes? And how now will Kerry fare in the halls of power?

Mick Clifford and Louise Burne join Deirdre O'Shaughnessy to discuss the fallout from the Healy Rae row in this special bonus episode.

Our thanks to Radio Kerry and Jerry O’Sullivan for permission to use the audio at the top of this episode.

‘Team Healy-Rae’ still together, says Danny after Michael blames him for Government exit

Mick Clifford: The house of Healy-Rae has fallen victim to 'The Split'

Michael Healy-Rae says brother Danny ‘effectively sacked’ him as minister

From defiance to departure: 45 hours that changed everything for Michael Healy-Rae

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When Rory McIlroy slagged off Irish food, saying he wouldn’t include it at a glitzy event because he wanted to enjoy himself, most Irish people shrugged, and possibly even agreed with him.

Centra sold nearly 10 million chicken fillet rolls in 2025, and most Irish celebrities, asked if they miss any foods from home in interviews, say Taytos, or Kerrygold.

Writing in the Irish Examiner earlier this week, chef and food writer Orla McAndrew described getting a jolt when non-Irish friends who lived here described Irish food culture in those terms, with garage delis and hot chicken rolls getting honourable mentions.

She joins Deirdre on today’s episode of the podcast to discuss food culture, the plight of Irish growers, the school meals row, and the Irish obsession with making sure everyone at a wedding gets enough meat.

People think 'Irish food culture' is hot chicken rolls and Taytos — we need to change that

Ireland needs a minister for food to better serve our needs

Michelle Darmody: Ireland could lead the way in ultra-processed foods control

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Giving up ultra-processed foods, with Nicole Glennon - The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast | Acast

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