Best Irish Translated Podcasts (2025)

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1798: The Year Ireland Changed Forever 6:00

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20m ago6:00

6:00

The 1790s remain one of the most important decades in modern Irish history. After years of rising tensions, the island was rocked by the 1798 Rebellion—the largest uprising in Irish history. In just a few months, more people perished than in all the conflicts of the 20th century combined. These events continue to cast a long shadow over life in Ire…

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The Irish Immigrants Who Built Britain's NHS 45:32

6d ago45:32

45:32

In the 1960s, over 30,000 Irish immigrants were working in Britain’s National Health Service (NHS). While the NHS is often celebrated as one of Britain’s greatest achievements, the vital contributions of these Irish nurses are frequently overlooked. In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Louise Ryan, co-author of Irish Nurses in the NHS: An Oral …

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Celebrating Conquest? Ireland’s Culture War over William the Conqueror 30:13

13d ago30:13

30:13

William the Conqueror has been dead for nearly a thousand years, and he never set foot in Ireland—so how did he end up at the centre of a modern Irish culture war? With Normandy gearing up for “The Year of the Norman” in 2027, a celebration of William’s legacy has sparked fierce debate on this side of the Irish Sea. Should Ireland join in commemora…

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The Secret Life of May O’Callaghan: The Kremlin’s Irish Insider 44:57

20d ago44:57

44:57

In 1973, just two people attended the lonely funeral of May O’Callaghan, an Irish emigrant in North London. Few could have imagined that this quiet woman from Wexford had once stood at the very heart of Soviet power. In the 1920s, May O’Callaghan worked in the Kremlin as the Soviet Union emerged, working alongside figures like Stalin, Trotsky, and …

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Ireland's Liberator - The Life of Daniel O'Connell 43:30

1M ago43:30

43:30

This special episode of the Irish History Podcast, in partnership with An Post, marks the 250th anniversary of Daniel O’Connell’s birth. In this podcast, I explore the life and legacy of one of Ireland’s most influential figures. Known as 'The Liberator' O’Connell’s campaign for Catholic Emancipation in 1829 and his role in shaping modern Ireland a…

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Who Will History Remember? 32:09

2M ago32:09

32:09

How do we decide who the most significant people in our history are? Whose story is worth telling? In this episode, I’m joined by Eoin Kinsella, managing editor of the Dictionary of Irish Biography, to explore how he and the team behind this remarkable resource tell the story of our island through biography. The DIB, a free to access to website has…

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S02E31 Your Host Kuan-wen’s Monologue #3 🇹🇼 Comedy Lost In Translation 50:06

2M ago50:06

50:06

Is it possible to perform stand up in yet another language (aka not English, not your mother tongue, also less fluent) but relying solely on translating whatever existing materials in English you have? Technically - yes. Though some jokes are simply not translatable. Some can be translated but it would not make sense or would not work. Some might s…

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Yola: A History of Ireland’s Lost Language 20:00

2M ago20:00

20:00

When we think of Ireland’s past, we usually envisage an island shaped by two languages: Irish and English. But hidden in the history of South Wexford is Yola, a unique dialect that survived for centuries after the Norman invasion, only to vanish almost without a trace. In this episode, I am joined by Sascha Santschi-Cooney to explore the fascinatin…

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Irish Americans & The Troubles: Unwelcome Outsiders or Allies? 33:13

2M ago33:13

33:13

This episode continues the story of NORAID - the Irish American organisation who were the voice of the IRA in the US. Jamie Goldrick and I delve into the complicated history of wider Irish American involvement in the Troubles. It's a history full of contradictions on both sides of the Atlantic. In the Republic, many criticised NORAID’s actions, yet…

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NORAID: Did Irish Americans Fund the Provisional IRA? 44:32

2M ago44:32

44:32

In this episode, we explore the fascinating and controversial story of NORAID, the Irish American organisation at the heart of the new documentary NORAID: Irish America & the IRA. Joined by the film’s producer, Jamie Goldrick, we unravel the history that made NORAID so influential, examining its activities, its impact on the Troubles, and its lasti…

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Irish Asylums: A Dark History We Don’t Talk About. Why? 37:54

2M ago37:54

37:54

In the 1950s, more than 20,000 people—over one percent of the adult population of Ireland—were locked away in mental asylums. This was the highest rate in the world, with more people confined in asylums than in all other institutions, including prisons, combined. Yet, despite these staggering numbers, the story of Ireland’s asylums remains largely …

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Banned: The Hidden History of Contraception in Ireland (Listener Favourite) 28:12

3M ago28:12

28:12

While we’re on the last week of our summer break, we’re bringing you one of our most popular episodes from the back catalogue. For over four decades, contraception was not just taboo in Ireland—it was illegal. From 1935 to 1979, selling contraceptives and even accessing information about family planning was strictly banned by the Irish government. …

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S02E30 Mike Rice, English Speaker - From County Kilkenny, Ireland 🇮🇪 54:51

3M ago54:51

54:51

Mike Rice is probably THE guest this podcast has had so far who proved to be the best at impersonations and accent mimicry. During the course of this interview alone, he improvised a South London, a posh West London, a stereotypical Essex woman and a generic American accent. In his comedy routines and comedy special on Youtube, Mike has done a Germ…

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Here’s How 181 – Votes, Lies and Video Tape 38:29

3M ago38:29

38:29

Kev Collins’ Youtube channel his here. Ben Scallan writes for Gript. ***** That’s a clip I played on the podcast a while back, it’s from one of the far-right protest a while back, and we’ve had a couple more of those anti-immigration protests in the last while. I saw some comments on social media about […]…

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[Classic Replay] A Criminal Conversation: Affairs & Divorce in 1920s Ireland 40:52

3M ago40:52

40:52

A story from the 1920s that will reshape the way you view our great grandparents lives! Unfortunately, there’s no new show this week, but I wanted to re-share an episode I really enjoyed making two years ago. It'll well worth another spin. In 1920s Ireland, Alice Morton’s marriage breakdown sparked a sensational divorce trial. Accused of adultery, …

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S02E29 Spring Day, English/Japanese Speaker - From Kansas City, Missouri, USA 🇺🇸 57:18

3M ago57:18

57:18

Have you ever tried to learn a foreign language so hard, that it influences and moulds your speech pattern in your native tongue? That you moved to a foreign land to learn that foreign language, consequently your English vocabulary becomes restricted to the more common words, just so people around you could understand? Such is the story of Spring D…

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The Irish Wake: A History 50:11

3M ago50:11

50:11

The Irish funeral wake is a unique tradition where family and friends gather around the body of the deceased to share stories, remember their life, and celebrate their legacy. Often resembling a lively party with plenty of drink, this ritual is both a farewell and a celebration. Predating Christianity, the Irish wake stretches back thousands of yea…

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Midwives & Mothers: A History of Birth in Ireland 28:47

3M ago28:47

28:47

In times past, childbirth was a profoundly communal and intimate experience, guided by the steady hands and wisdom of community midwives. Known as Bean Ghlúine—the Women of the Knee—these women were among the most important figures in rural Irish communities. In this episode, I’m joined by historian Emma Laffey to explore the world of birth and mid…

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Here’s How 180 – Medieval Attitudes 1:06:42

4M ago1:06:42

1:06:42

Dr Kirill Bumin is Associate Dean of Metropolitan College of Boston University and Dr Mordechai Inbari is Professor of Religion at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. ***** That’s the diminutive Justin Barrett, formerly of Youth Defence and a string of other far-right organisations, Litler himself, talking to a commentator with the Canadi…

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S02E28 Martin Durchov, Bulgarian Speaker - From Sofia, Bulgaria 🇧🇬 50:50

4M ago50:50

50:50

Martin Durchov has never done any podcast interview - not until this episode popped his podcast cherry. You can find his Instagram profile, but be warned there’s not a single comedy-related content on it. The Bulgarian native is one giggly and happy chap, described by your host Kuan-wen as a very “settled” immigrant in the UK. Even his accent mello…

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Glenmalure & Memories of a Lost World - How Did Electrification Change Rural Ireland? 36:54

4M ago36:54

36:54

Nestled deep in the Wicklow Mountains, Glenmalure was once a stronghold for rebels and a sanctuary from the outside world. But long after the echoes of rebellion faded, the valley remained a place apart, where the comforts of modern life arrived late. Glenmalure was only connected to the electricity grid and running water in the late 20th century, …

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Glendalough & The History Tourists Are Never Told 35:00

4M ago35:00

35:00

Glendalough is one of Ireland’s most iconic and picturesque destinations. Its medieval monastery and stunning mountain landscape attract around one million tourists every year. However behind the postcard-perfect scenery lies a history that rarely makes it into the tourist brochures. In this episode, I veer off the well-trodden paths to uncover the…

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34. Chinese Poet Han Dong Reads His Own Poetry! With Translator Nicky Harman 35:37

4M ago35:37

35:37

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to the translator Nicky Harman about the Chinese poet Han Dong (1961-) Discover poetry through the heart of another… Find out more about the poems on Elixir and read them here! Receive our newsletter! The Elixir Poetry Podcast website: https://www.helenwing.com/the-elixir-poetry-podcast Support The Elixir…

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How composer Leoš Janáček set his daughter’s last words to music 46:04

4M ago46:04

46:04

As 20-year-old Olga Janáčková lay dying from typhoid fever, her father wrote down everything she said. Later, he transformed those words—and gasps—into music. The grieving father, Czech composer Leoš Janáček, called the ultra-short musical pieces "speech melodies." In this episode, language writer Michael Erard invites cellist Petronella Torin to p…

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How composer Leoš Janáček set his daughter’s last words to music 46:03

4M ago46:03

46:03

As 20-year-old Olga Janáčková lay dying from typhoid fever, her father wrote down everything she said. Later, he transformed those words—and gasps—into music. The grieving father, Czech composer Leoš Janáček, called the ultra-short musical pieces "speech melodies." In this episode, language writer Michael Erard invites cellist Petronella Torin to p…

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A History of Ireland's Last Great Wilderness 30:10

4M ago30:10

30:10

Vast, windswept, and seemingly untouched—the landscape around the Sally Gap in Wicklow is a place where history appears to vanish into the heather and mist. With no houses and few traces of human settlement, this moorland feels like a true wilderness. Yet, the story of this landscape is one forged by ancient forces, human ambition, and exploitation…

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S02E27 Shalaka Kurup, English/Hindi/(Childhood Malayalam) Speaker - From Bengaluru (Bangalore), India 🇮🇳 56:14

4M ago56:14

56:14

Shalaka is a self-proclaimed nerd with a PHD in trains whilst loading herself with Millennial angst. Those are supposed to be the most interesting and unique things about her. However, just because she’s from India, the audiences in the UK expect her to talk about being Indian or South Asian. In this episode, Shalaka eloquently explains her own cod…

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33. ‘She Walks in Beauty’ by Lord Byron with Mark Saunders: "No One Should Tell You How You Should Interpret Poetry!" 30:05

4M ago30:05

30:05

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Mark Saunders, a writer and broadcaster, about ‘She Walks in Beauty’ by Lord Byron (1788—1824) Topics: Physical & inner beauty Beauty in the world around us How Poetry got Mark into reading books No one should tell you how you should interpret Shakespeare, any book, or poetry Classism in the arts Poets…

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Breaking Ireland's Bandit Country: The Wicklow Military Road 42:21

5M ago42:21

42:21

In 1800, in the wake of the 1798 Rebellion, the British military began construction of the Wicklow Military Road. Designed to bring control to the so-called “bandit country” of the Wicklow Mountains, this road now winds through some of the most remote and picturesque landscapes in Ireland. Its history is as dramatic as the scenery it traverses. Bui…

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S02 Bonus Episode [Recorded in French] En Savoir Plus Sur French It Up ... en français 15:34

4M ago15:34

15:34

This bonus episode (90% in French and the remainder in English) was recorded as part of the conversation with French It Up Comedy Club founder Jeff Vitale, the majority of which was released as season 2 episode 26 in the previous week. ------------------- Cet épisode bonus est un extrait de l’entretien publié la semaine dernière avec Jeff Vitale, f…

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What happened to Ireland’s Protestant Community after the Revolution? 31:35

5M ago31:35

31:35

Between 1911 and 1926, the Irish Protestant population fell by over 30%. This podcast explores why this happened, as well as how the majority who remained adapted to life in the Free State. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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32. The Power of Poetry with Russian-Ukrainian Filmmaker Albina Kovalyova. “Poetry Is An Oral Tradition”. 26:06

5M ago26:06

26:06

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Albina Kovalyova about two of her own poems, discussing poetry & filmmaking, the Russian & Ukrainian languages, and much more! Discover poetry through the heart of another… Find out more about the poems on Elixir and read them here! Receive our newsletter! The Elixir Poetry Podcast website: https://www…

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S02E26 French It Up - French Comedy Show in London, Jeff Vitale - From Marseille, France 🇫🇷 42:58

5M ago42:58

42:58

“French It Up est LE comedy club français à Londres. Lancé en 2016 par Jeff Vitale, depuis rejoint par Fabrice Edouard Laroche Francoeur, le concept séduit un public francophone de plus en plus large et fait émerger une nouvelle scène d'humoristes français à Londres.” After introducing London’s Comedy show in the Spanish language Comedy Por Favor i…

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The IRA's Great Escape: Mountjoy Jail, 1925 27:50

5M ago27:50

27:50

In 1925, nineteen IRA prisoners orchestrated a daring escape from Mountjoy Jail in the heart of Dublin. Join me and historian Sam McGrath as we delve into the history of the IRA following the Civil War and uncover the remarkable story behind this audacious breakout. Sound: Kate Dunlea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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31. On Raglan Road: Patrick Kavanagh, Irish Poetry, Rural Poverty, Love, and Cultural Communication with Ann 30:38

5M ago30:38

30:38

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Ann Moroney, who is from Ireland, about the poem ‘On Raglan Road’ by Patrick Kavanagh (1904-1967). Discover poetry through the heart of another… Find out more about the poems on Elixir and read them here! Receive our newsletter! The Elixir Poetry Podcast website: https://www.helenwing.com/the-elixir-po…

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Stories We Don't Tell: Realities of Surviving the Great Hunger 37:00

5M ago37:00

37:00

The history of the Great Hunger is often recounted through statistics and impersonal narratives. There are many reasons for this, but one significant factor is that many survivors were reluctant to share their stories of survival. In this episode, based on letters from the 1840s, I uncover a challenging chapter in our history. Among the stories rec…

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S02E25 Your Host Kuan-wen’s monologue #2 🇹🇼 Learning English v.s. performing stand up comedy in English 32:05

5M ago32:05

32:05

Celiac, dyspraxia, sporran, ricochet, hypochondriac, cheugy, mausoleum, flab… how many of these English words do you - as a non-native English speaker - know? Similar question for the native English speakers again: any of these words that you are not aware of? These are just a sample of words in the English language that your host Kuan-wen has acqu…

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Here’s How 179 – Lost Boys 55:03

5M ago55:03

55:03

Amun Bains is a journalist. ***** The first amendment to the US constitution starts “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” Our constitution is not quite so concise. Article 44 of De Valera’s handbook for governing deals with freedom of religion. Section one says “The State […]…

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30. "To Be, Or Not To Be, That Is The Poem". Christopher Hamilton reads Shakespeare 21:32

6M ago21:32

21:32

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Christopher Hamilton about the soliloquy ‘To be or not to be’ in Hamlet (Act 3, Scene 1) by William Shakespeare (1564 –1616) Discover poetry through the heart of another… Find out more about the poems on Elixir and read them here! Receive our newsletter! The Elixir Poetry Podcast website: https://www.h…

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29. Spring Special: “Why My Dad Loved The Words of John Clare” with Richard 23:04

6M ago23:04

23:04

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Richard about a section of ‘The Shepherd’s Calendar’, ‘April’ and ‘I am’ by John Clare (1793 - 1864). Topics: John Clare’s keen eye for detail Richard’s Dad’s passing: the poem means so much to him since his Dad requested verses of Clare be read at his funeral. The struggle in John Clare’s life: mental…

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Typhoid Mary: Victim or Villain 1:16:00

6M ago1:16:00

1:16:00

Typhoid Mary has inspired books, movies, and even a Marvel character, but the history of the Irish woman behind the name is less well known. Mary Mallon was born in County Tyrone in the late 19th century before emigrating to the US. While she initially enjoyed a successful career as a cook, she became the central figure in a major scandal when she …

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S02E24 Radu Isac returns (From Vaslui, Romania 🇷🇴; From Season 1 Episode 6-7) 45:55

6M ago45:55

45:55

Veteran London-based Romanian comedian Radu Isac returns after his last interview on this podcast in 2022. Radu catches up with your host Kuan-wen to chat about how his career plans and gigging pattern change along with the moving landscape of the comedy industry. Between this episode and the first interview three years ago, Radu released his comed…

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28. The Poem of Cuban Liberation with Raycel (& How Love Took Him Across The World) 24:01

6M ago24:01

24:01

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Raycel, who is from Cuba, about the poem ‘Yo soy un hombre sincero’ by José Martí (1853-1895) as sung by Pablo Milanés (1942-2022). Topics of discussion: The political history of ‘Yo soy un hombre sincero’ by José Martí The poverty of life in Cuba (verses e.g. European countries) Raycel’s love story th…

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Coffin Ships: What Famine Emigrants Endured [Classic Replay] 45:54

6M ago45:54

45:54

By 1855, over two million Irish people had fled Ireland to escape the devastation of the Great Hunger. The journeys of these emigrants were often harrowing, and the term "Coffin Ship" has become synonymous with their perilous crossings of the Atlantic. While the term evokes images of misery, what was the actual experience like? This episode, origin…

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27. Portuguese Poetry and The Spiritual Power of Writing Poetry with Miguel Royo 1:04:44

6M ago1:04:44

1:04:44

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Miguel Royo about Modern Portuguese Poetry and his own work: Miguel’s inner voice shifting language from Spanish to Portuguese The spirituality of writing poetry Elitism in British poetry communities How poetry should be shared Young people’s misconceptions about poetry Discover poetry through the hear…

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S02E23 Peter Flanagan - English/Irish speaker, From County Kildare, Ireland 🇮🇪🍀 46:12

6M ago46:12

46:12

Given Ireland and Britain’s complex history, not least over 700 years of colonisation and dominance and the most recent thorny issue of Northern Ireland’s border during Brexit negotiation, what does a comedian’s Irish accent represent in the eyes of British audience? There are in fact quite a few Irish comedians in the UK. Peter Flanagan is our ver…

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A History of Beer in Ireland 30:10

6M ago30:10

30:10

Being hard drinkers is one of the most common stereotypes of Irish people around the world. While Irish consumption of alcohol is nowhere near the highest in Europe, there is no question beer and pubs are deeply ingrained in our culture. In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Christina Wade, who recently published a book on the history of beer in Irel…