In today’s episode, former senator and government minister Katherine Zappone joins Kathy Sheridan to discuss her new memoir Love in a Time of Politics. In this wide-ranging conversation, Zappone charts her journey through Irish politics, from a fresh-faced senator appointed by then taoiseach Enda Kenny, right through to her tenure as minister for children and youth affairs. She speaks about the campaigns she’s most proud of and the scandals she’d rather forget. The 71-year-old also reflects on her relationship with her beloved wife, Dr Ann Louise Gilligan who died in 2017 and the grief that followed her devastating loss. She tells Sheridan how she eventually found love again with her South African partner Jennifer and what the future now holds for the pair. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including Trump's unhinged behaviour aboard Air Force One and how and why the global skincare industry is targeting products towards children as young as four.

Did you know The Irish Times Women’s Podcast is turning ten years old? To celebrate a decade of conversation, craic and captivating stories, we are hosting our ten year birthday bash at the Peacock Theatre in Dublin on Tuesday, December 2nd. For more information and to get tickets to the event, see here.

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With a career spanning theatre, film and television, Irish actor Fiona Shaw has been a household name in Ireland for decades. The Cork native is known for her award-winning stage work, as well as her iconic roles in the Harry Potter films, Killing Eve, and Bad Sisters.

Shaw’s latest project, Park Avenue, opened in Irish cinemas this week. Earlier this year, while in Dublin for the International Film Festival, she joined Kathy Sheridan in studio to talk about the film, in which she plays the glamorous and wealthy widow Kit.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Shaw reflects on her early career and explains what led her to setting up a women’s group while working with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. She also tells Sheridan about her friendship with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, why she turned down a move to Hollywood in the 1990s, and how she met her Sri Lankan wife, Sonali Deraniyagala.

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On the 24th October 1975, 90% of the women in Iceland went on strike. For the entire day, women refused to participate in waged work, domestic labour or childcare. Instead they took to the streets to protest, demanding fair employment, equal wages and the recognition of work done inside the home. To reflect on the impact of that historic day, the 50 years of progress since and the work still left to do, Róisín Ingle is joined by Hrafnhildur Gunnarsdóttir, producer of the documentary film, The Day Iceland Stood Still. 

Later on, anti-domestic violence campaigner Patricia McLean joins Ingle to talk about her organisation Finding Our Voices, which is hosting a series of online talks with Irish authors about their books involving domestic abuse. It’s free and open to all, starting with Irish author Roddy Doyle on November 18th 2025. You can find more information on the talks here: https://findingourvoices.net/book-club

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the record number of women giving birth past the age of 45 and the dismal reviews coming in for Kim Kardashian’s new legal drama ‘Alls Fair’.

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Since opening in 2024, Jane’s Place has become a sanctuary for some of Ireland’s most vulnerable women. The drop-in centre, located in the heart of Dublin city, is a space where those in need can access mental health support, addiction recovery services, and counselling, and even take part in yoga, art therapy, and mindfulness sessions.

In today’s episode, co-ordinator of Jane’s Place, Susan Diffney, tells Róisín Ingle why a service like this was so badly needed and what invisible barriers women often face when trying to access help. We also hear from Christine, who is in recovery from addiction and visits Jane’s Place regularly. She explains how this female-focused support has been instrumental in her path to sobriety.

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell joins us to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the release of Lily Allen’s tell-all album Westend Girl, and the death of Mary “May” McGee, who changed the course of Irish social history.

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Last week, Irish author Naoise Dolan and psychiatrist Dr Veronica O’Keane arrived home to Ireland after spending five days in an Israeli prison. The pair were among more than one hundred activists including five other Irish citizens detained by Israeli forces earlier this month, as they made their way to Gaza as part of the Thousand Madleens flotilla. In today’s episode, Dolan and O’Keane tell Róisín Ingle about the gruesome conditions they were kept in, the violence and heavy-handedness used by members of the IDF and the relief they felt upon release. 

But first Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the government’s plans for a new domestic violence register and the posthumous publication of Virginia Giuffre’s tell-all memoir.

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This Saturday the 18th October is World Menopause Day and to mark the occasion we are joined by journalist, broadcaster and menopause advocate Mariella Frostrup and by Belles Berry, chef and daughter of well-known cookery writer Mary Berry. Together they have written Menolicious, a new cookbook packed full of healthy recipes designed to help balance hormones, boost energy levels and improve weight management through perimenopause, menopause and beyond. In this episode, they tell Róisín Ingle how they first met at a protest for HRT, why they feel a cookbook like this could help women at all stages in life and what some of their favourite recipes from the book are - including Irish-inspired porridge bread and kale and tahini pancakes.

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including new findings around the benefits of taking HRT and the results from the latest presidential opinion poll.

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This week, five Irish citizens including author Naoise Dolan were detained by Israel when their flotilla of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip was intercepted. In today’s episode, Dolan’s mother Miriam McNally speaks to Róisín Ingle about the latest updates on her daughter’s detention and when she might be released. 

Also in this episode, we hear from filmmaker and visual artist Myrid Carten, who discusses her new documentary film, A Want In Her. It’s a raw and honest portrait of her mother Nuala’s lifelong battle with addiction. 

And finally, ahead of the third episode of The Walsh Sisters airing this weekend on RTE 1, we’re joined by friend of the podcast Marian Keyes and actor and writer Stefanie Preissner. The pair talk about creating and casting the show, dealing with bad reviews and how they first initially bonded over their shared hatred of ‘the grand stretch’.

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In July 2019, Bláthnaid Raleigh’s life changed forever when she was raped at a house party by a man named Jonathan Moran, whom she was familiar with from her hometown of Mullingar. It was a vicious and violent attack, which resulted in a headline sentence of nine years for Moran, although he is likely to serve just six.

In her new memoir Aftermath, Raleigh describes how her life was effectively put on hold for five years while she awaited the trial. During which time, Moran continued his working life, socialised with friends, and played rugby with the local club in Mullingar.

In today’s episode, Raleigh tells Róisin Ingle about the long-lasting emotional and physical impacts of the attack, the trauma of the subsequent legal process and why she waived her anonymity to name her rapist. She also talks about the healing process and how she hopes her story will help others. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell joins us to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the women standing up to racism in their local communities and a new report highlighting research gaps in the understanding of women's health conditions.

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We’ve got a jam packed episode for you this week, kicking off with a fascinating interview with Indian theatre artist, Mallika Taneja, who is bringing her show ‘Be Careful’ to the Dublin Theatre Festival next month. Running from the 7th to the 10th October, the show is a satirical piece that challenges our notion of safety in public spaces and addresses attitudes towards women and girls in India and elsewhere. See DublinTheatreFestival.ie for tickets. 

Later on, Róisín Ingle is joined by Laura Dowling, aka The Fabulous Pharmacist to discuss her new book Love Your Vulva. It’s an open and empowering guide to women’s intimate health, which covers everything from vaginal dryness to grooming your bush. Dowling explains the inspiration behind the book and why we should all be getting to know our vulvas better. 

But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O'Connell is here to discuss the biggest news stories of the week including Trump’s controversial advice to pregnant women, why everyone's talking about Maria’s Steen’s Hermés handbag and Tuesday’s nail-biting finale of Traitors on RTE.

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According to academic Dr Marie Keenan restorative justice is “a way of giving justice to victims that centres the victim of crime in the process, as distinct from the criminal justice system, which centres the perpetrator”. Keenan joined two women Janet O’Brien who’s son was killed in a one punch attack and Sophia Murphy who was sexually abused by her father to discuss the power of restorative justice. The women explore how coming face to face with perpetrators in a safe, controlled manner can be transformative for victims of crime.  In this powerful and insightful conversation, the women also speak about  the difficulty as victims of navigating the criminal justice system. But first, Irish Times Opinion Editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to chat about Holly Cairn’s difficult first day back after maternity leave, the benefits of moderate drinking and The Walsh Sisters, the highly anticipated TV adaptation of Marian Keyes’ beloved novels.

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