The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

In this episode, Niall dives into one of the most heated discussions in Ireland today: Should the Constitution be changed to guarantee every citizen the right to housing?

Broadcasting live, Niall opens the lines to callers from across the country—and the opinions couldn't be more divided.

Some callers strongly support the idea:

“Housing should be a basic right, not a privilege,” says Mary from Galway. “People are living in tents while buildings lie empty. It’s time the government was held accountable.”

Others warn of unintended consequences:

“If you write this into the Constitution, you’re opening the floodgates,” argues Declan in Dublin. “It’ll lead to endless legal battles and strain public finances even more.”

And some are torn:

“I believe everyone deserves a home, but I’m not sure a constitutional change is the best way to fix a broken system,” admits Aoife from Cork.

Through respectful debate, passionate views, and tough questions, Niall guides listeners through the legal, moral, and practical sides of a constitutional right to housing.

Whether you’re firmly for it, completely against it, or just trying to make sense of it all—this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode, Niall dives into the heated debate over children's access to social media following the rollout of a new age verification system under Ireland’s Online Safety Code.

He’s joined by Eric Nelligan, school teacher and spokesperson for the political party Aontú, to explore what this new code means in practice, how effective age checks might really be, and whether social media platforms can ever truly be safe for children.

Later, Niall opens the phone lines and hears from the public, sparking a lively and divided conversation.

Some callers argue that social media is toxic for kids, exposing them to harmful content like cyberbullying, eating disorders, and dangerous challenges. One caller says, “There’s no real benefit for kids being on these apps — it’s just a breeding ground for anxiety and peer pressure.”

Others see it differently, highlighting that social media can help teens stay connected, learn new skills, and express themselves creatively. As one parent puts it, “My daughter learned photography and video editing through TikTok — she’s more confident because of it.”

Tune in as Niall unpacks both sides of this complex issue — and asks: Do the risks outweigh the rewards when it comes to kids and social media?

In this powerful and emotional episode, Niall shares an email from a listener named Tina, a mother of two young children whose husband has recently been sent to prison for several years. With the details of the case kept private, Tina asks for public input on a deeply personal question:

Should she bring the children to visit their father in jail?

Tina describes the difficult reality she's facing — a partner behind bars, children who miss their dad, and the guilt of having told them he’s working abroad to shield them from the truth. She worries that exposing them to the prison environment — with its grim surroundings, tense atmosphere, and strict security procedures — could do more harm than good.

Niall opens the phone lines, and callers weigh in with heartfelt, conflicting views.

Some argue in favour of prison visits:

“Kids deserve to know the truth and have a relationship with both parents, even if one made a mistake.”

“Shielding them now might cause more confusion and pain down the line when they find out the truth.”

Others strongly disagree:

“A prison is no place for a child — the trauma could be lasting.”

“She’s doing the right thing by protecting them from a harsh and confusing environment.”

As Niall moderates this emotionally charged discussion, listeners explore themes of honesty, loyalty, parenting under pressure, and the long-term impact on children when a parent is incarcerated.

A must-listen episode for anyone navigating complicated family dynamics — or anyone who believes in the power of community to help guide difficult decisions

In this lively and heartfelt episode of The Niall Boylan Show, Niall dives into a fiery question that struck a chord with listeners across the country: "Has chivalry died?"

The debate was sparked by a listener’s powerful email, where he shared a shocking first date experience. After chatting for weeks with a woman he met on Tinder, they finally went out for a nice dinner—only for the night to end with a glass of wine thrown in his face when he asked to split the €200 bill.

Was he in the wrong for suggesting it? Or has the meaning of chivalry changed in today’s dating world?

To make sense of it all, Niall is joined by Sharon Kenny from TheMatchmaker.ie, who gives her expert insight into modern dating dynamics, the expectations men and women bring to the table, and whether the old rules still apply in 2025.

Then, the phone lines light up as callers share their honest, passionate, and sometimes hilarious views:

“He dodged a bullet—anyone who reacts like that over a bill is not relationship material.”

“Chivalry isn’t dead, but it’s about respect—not footing every bill.”

“If you ask a woman out, you should expect to pay. That’s how I was raised.”

“Women want equality, and that means splitting the bill sometimes. Fair is fair.”

“Throwing a drink? That’s insane. He should count himself lucky she showed her true colours early.”

Whether you're old school or strictly modern, this episode is packed with real talk about dating, money, and manners.

Listen now for expert advice, wild stories, and one of the most divisive debates we’ve had in a long time!

In this explosive episode of The Niall Boylan Show, Niall tackles one of the most pressing issues facing Irish households today—a staggering 65% inflation rate over the last decade.

Joining Niall to break it all down is financial expert Karl Deeter, who explains the forces behind rising prices—from housing to food to fuel—and why so many people feel like they're falling behind.

Then it’s over to you, the listeners, as Niall opens the phone lines to hear who you think is to blame. Is it:

The government, for overspending and poor economic planning?

The providers, for continuously raising prices?

Or employers, for failing to raise wages in line with the cost of living?

As always, the opinions are sharp and unfiltered:

“The government are the ones who let this happen. They’re completely out of touch with working people.”

“Businesses are getting greedy—prices go up, but the service stays the same. It’s a joke.”

“I’ve had the same salary for eight years. Employers are squeezing the life out of us.”

No spin, no sugar-coating—just real talk from real people.

Tune in now for a lively, honest debate on who’s really footing the bill for Ireland’s cost-of-living crisis.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Ireland Talks, Niall opens up the lines to discuss a question that’s stirring emotions in homes across the country:

Can a woman — or anyone — feel truly emotionally safe when their partner regularly watches porn?

Prompted by a listener’s heartbreaking message, the show explores the emotional fallout that can occur when one partner discovers the other's porn habits.

“I caught him at 2 a.m. watching porn in his office. I felt sick, betrayed… he says it’s just harmless fun, but I’m lying in bed while he’s watching other women. It feels like a form of cheating.”

As platforms like X (formerly Twitter) expand access to explicit content — including AI-generated pornography — and Ireland’s media regulator moves to introduce age verification, the conversation around porn’s influence on relationships, intimacy, and trust is more urgent than ever.

Callers weigh in with raw honesty:

“It’s not cheating — it’s fantasy.”

“I tried to be okay with it, but it slowly eroded our connection.”

“If you can’t talk about it openly, maybe that’s the red flag.”

Niall navigates the emotional minefield of pornography, trust, and modern love, asking:

Is porn harmless escapism, or does it quietly sabotage intimacy in committed relationships?

A must-listen for anyone grappling with love, loyalty, and the impact of the digital age on the bedroom.

In this powerful episode of Ireland Talks, host Niall takes on one of the most provocative developments in modern medicine — the birth of eight babies in the UK using DNA from three people to prevent fatal genetic conditions. Is this the beginning of a new era in healthcare, or are we crossing a dangerous ethical line?

We hear from callers with mixed views:

"If this had existed when my niece was born, she might still be alive."

"This isn’t curing disease — it’s editing the human blueprint. That’s dangerous."

"It’s just 0.1% of DNA — we’re not making designer babies."

The debate dives deep into questions about genetic inheritance, the future of reproduction, and whether we're tampering too much with nature.

Later in the episode, Eilís Mulroy from the Pro Life Campaign joins Niall to discuss the rise in abortions in Ireland since the repeal of the Eighth Amendment. With over 10,000 pregnancies ending in termination annually, she raises serious concerns about how far we've come — and what might have been lost.

Thought-provoking, emotional, and unafraid to ask the big questions — this is a must-listen for anyone thinking about the future of life, science, and society.

In this episode, host Niall takes calls from concerned residents of Saggart and Citywest as they react to the government’s controversial €140 million purchase of the local hotel, which has been used for several years to house asylum seekers.

While many callers express that they initially had no objection to the hotel being used as temporary accommodation, they now fear it will never return to its original purpose as a community and leisure space. With few local amenities already, the move has sparked frustration and concern.

“We were told this was temporary. Now they’ve bought the place outright – how is that temporary?” – Patricia from Citywest

“I’ve lived here all my life. That hotel was for weddings, family events, even job fairs. Now it’s gone – just like that.” – Mark in Saggart

“I’m not against helping people in need. But the area can’t cope. Services are stretched, and some of the behaviour we’re seeing is worrying.” – Louise, mother of two

“It’s not racist to want to feel safe. Some of the lads hanging around the park at night are intimidating. That’s just the truth.” – Anonymous caller

The episode dives into the tension between compassion and community strain, with Niall giving space for residents to voice their lived experiences. A raw and revealing conversation about policy, planning, and the future of a fast-growing Dublin suburb.

Ireland plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030—five years earlier than the EU’s 2035 deadline—as part of its sweeping Climate Action Plan. But is this ambitious move realistic? In this episode, Niall dives deep into the heated debate with guest Nadia Forde from Ashford Motors.

Niall explores both sides of the conversation:

"We can’t ignore climate change any longer. EVs are the future, whether we like it or not," says one caller, supporting the shift."I live in rural Clare—there’s barely a charging point within 20 miles!" argues another, questioning the practicality of going electric for everyone.

Meanwhile, Naill highlights the financial strain on smaller manufacturers and how big brands like Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and VW are already transitioning ahead of schedule due to tightening emissions standards—not just regulation deadlines.

From concerns over affordability and charging infrastructure to hopes for a cleaner, greener future, Niall asks:

Are you ready to give up petrol and diesel? Or is this just policy running ahead of reality?

Tune in now, and decide for yourself.

Should your social media determine whether you can enter a country, get a job, or earn a promotion?

In this episode, Niall tackles the controversy surrounding the US Embassy’s new "enhanced social media vetting" for J1 visa applicants, which requires students to make their social media accounts public and open to scrutiny. The policy has sparked outrage and confusion, especially among Irish students, some of whom feel they’re being silenced for speaking out on global issues.

📢 Tánaiste Simon Harris weighed in, saying students “should not be deprived of a J1 visa for expressing their views on horrific issues happening around the world.”

But is this really new? As Niall points out:

“From what I remember, even applying for an ESTA years ago involved questions about your online presence.”

Callers to the show are split.

“It makes sense in a post-9/11 world—countries need to protect themselves,” one listener argues.

“This is about chilling free speech. If we’re afraid to post opinions online, we’ve already lost something important,” says another.

The conversation broadens to civil liberties, including policies in the UK where civil servants are discouraged from using social media or criticising the sitting government.

Is it reasonable to screen social media for security—or are we entering a dangerous space where dissent is punished?

Listen in as Niall and callers unpack the balance between national security and personal expression