Best Smart Venues Podcasts (2025)

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Tech Thursday: Smarthome Seasonal Devices 10:06

Play Pause

36m ago10:06

10:06

From thermostats to lightbulbs and air purifiers, Andy O'Donoghue had a run down of the best devices to make your home efficient and cozy heading into the winter months. To catch the conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

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Are Uncomfortably Warm Summers Here To Stay? 13:35

2h ago13:35

13:35

Research conducted by Maynooth University has found that the warm nighttime temperatures which were experienced this summer are now 40 times more likely due to climate change caused by human activity. John Gibbons spoke to Ian Guider on Thursday’s The Last Word. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the piece.…

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Group Of Dublin City Councillors Boycott Obama's Freedom Of Dublin Event 10:20

21h ago10:20

10:20

A number of Dublin city councillors boycotted a ceremony to award the Freedom of the City to Barack Obama over objections to the former US president's record in foreign and domestic policy. Obama, who is visiting Dublin this week, was originally granted the honour by councillors in 2017 but he didn't come to receive the award until now. Conor Reddy…

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Culture Club: Eimear McBride 31:52

6m ago31:52

31:52

Novelist Eimear McBride was the latest Culture Club inductee. Eimear spoke to Matt about her new novel, The City Changes Its Face. She also discussed her favourite music, films, books and the cultural touchstones that have influenced her life and work. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.…

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What Can We Expect From The 2025 Ryder Cup? 10:31

2d ago10:31

10:31

European and American golfers are getting ready to face off against each other once again when the Ryder Cup kicks off in New York on Friday. Meanwhile, organisers of the tournament are preparing for the arrival of US President Donald Trump on opening day, with fears his visit could cause disruption. Lawrence Donegan, founder and editor of McKellar…

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Principals Under Pressure From Parents To Grant Irish Exemptions For Students 9:53

1h ago9:53

9:53

The current system for granting exemptions for studying Irish is souring relationships between principals and parents, according to the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD). A record number, 60,946, of secondary school students received an exemption from studying Irish in the last school year. Paul Crone, director of the …

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The Last Word On Music: Take That Bringing Circus Tour Back To Dublin 15:24

26m ago15:24

15:24

Dee Reddy and John Caddell were back for the Last Word on Music where they had all the details of revival of Take That's Circus Tour. They also spoke about Madonna's return to Warner Records and her back catalogue. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

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Revenue To Send Letters To Homeowners With Warning To Revalue Properties 9:08

2d ago9:08

9:08

Over two million homeowners in Ireland are set to receive a letter from Revenue warning them to revalue their homes. The new valuation will apply for the local property tax from 2026. Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, explained this on Wednesday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.…

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The Last Word On The US: Trump Claims To Have 'Ended Seven Wars' & Said European Countries 'Going To Hell' Because Of Migration In UN Speech 19:01

3d ago19:01

19:01

US President Donald Trump claimed to have "ended seven wars" and said that European countries are “going to hell” because of immigration in his address to the United Nations General Assembly Marion McKeone and Cal Thomas join The Last Word to discuss Trump's remarks in New York and more of the latest news from the United States. Catch the full chat…

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Think You Know... The Presidents? A Brand-New Last Word Podcast 0:59

3d ago0:59

0:59

A leprechaun sent to the White House. A bomb shelter under Dublin’s Merrion Square. A president swearing live on national radio. What do they all have in common? They’re just some of the wild, wonderful and downright bizarre stories you probably won’t have known about Ireland’s presidents. If the walls of the Áras could talk, we’d have a full-on Ne…

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Think You Know.... The Presidents? Douglas Hyde 39:45

17h ago39:45

39:45

To quote the show FRIENDS, "he was the one with the moustache." Welcome to 'Think You Know... The Presidents?' a Today FM original podcast brought to you by The Last Word. Episode 1 travels back in time to 1938, when Ireland appointed its first president. But why was Douglas Hyde chosen? What happened when WWII broke out right after his inauguratio…

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How A Generation Is Still Paying The Price For Ireland’s Financial Crash 13:15

3d ago13:15

13:15

Journalist and author, Adam Maguire, joined Matt to discuss the release of his new book “The Bailout Babies”. In it he details how people who were children during the financial crash are still feeling the effects of it a decade and a half later. Matt spoke to Adam on Tuesday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.…

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Connection over Conversion: The Key to Business Growth with Matt Alderton 31:05

4d ago31:05

31:05

Welcome to the Barter Edge Podcast, your insider guide to smarter business, bigger networks, and better ways to trade. In this episode, host Jen welcomes a special guest, Matt Alderton, CEO and founder of BX Networking Reimagined, to discuss the importance of networking, the value of bartering, and how both can be leveraged to grow a business. Matt…

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Podcaster And Author Ciaran Murphy On His Decision To Take Up Hurling In His 40s 14:14

4d ago14:14

14:14

Second Captains co-host, Irish Times columnist and author, Ciaran Murphy, has published his second book ‘Old Parish: Notes on Hurling”. He tells the story of how despite being an avid Galway GAA fan – one of the few dual counties in Ireland – he had only ever played Gaelic football. So, in the lead up to his 42nd birthday, he decided to move to Co.…

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A History Of The Guinness Family 15:36

1d ago15:36

15:36

Ned Guinness, the Fourth Earl Of Iveagh and the head of Guinness family, is the author of Guinness: A Family Succession. He spoke to Matt about his motivations for writing about his family and the legacy and impact of projects like the Iveagh Trust. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.…

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The Last Word On Travel: Caminito Del Rey 6:58

1d ago6:58

6:58

The Caminito del Rey is a cliffside walk in Malaga, Spain with thrilling suspended walkways and spectacular views throughout. Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to chat all about it and to give her tips for anyone interested in making the trip. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!…

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476- The Art of Balloons: Blow Minds, Not Just Balloons with Sean Edwards, “The Balloon Guy” 29:48

4d ago29:48

29:48

This week on Bridechilla, Leah chats with Sean Edwards—better known as The Balloon Guy—whose breathtaking creations prove balloons are anything but basic. What started as a childhood hobby has grown into a global sensation, with Sean bringing larger-than-life installations, whimsical details, and pure joy to weddings and celebrations around the wor…

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Episode 10 - Unlocking the Power of Location Intelligence 5:08

3d ago5:08

5:08

Summary In this episode of The Prep List, Shaun discusses the importance of location intelligence in the hospitality industry. He emphasises the shift from relying solely on gut feelings to using data-driven decisions for site selection and evaluation. Shaun shares tools and strategies for conducting location audits, highlights real-world examples …

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Population In Dublin Impacting GAA Clubs’ Ability To Provide Basic Facilities 10:40

7d ago10:40

10:40

On Wednesday, it was reported that Cuala GAA had agreed a €2 million deal for a six-acre site owned by Bective Rangers rugby club. However, the availability of facilities across the capital is a constant struggle for many GAA clubs. Denis Walsh, Sportswriter with the Irish Times, reported this week that out of 412 pitches that are available for Gae…

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The Week Trending: Anger At Healy Rae's Autism Remarks; Kneecap Barred From Canada; & Trump Vs US Late Night Hosts 23:24

7d ago23:24

23:24

Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae has been criticised for suggesting a possible link between autism and vitamins; the Irish language rap-trio Kneecap have been barred from entering Canada; and US TV hosts have bitten back at US President Donald Trump after the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. Brianna Parkins, 10 News plus reporter, and Dave Hanratty, host …

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Living With Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease 12:39

5d ago12:39

12:39

Annmarie O'Connor spoke to Matt about her book Twitch. Diagnosed at the age of 48, the book details Annmarie's experience of living with Parkinson's Disease. Having worked as a fashion editor and stylist, Annmarie spoke about coming to terms with the disease and how she has learned to adapt to live a quieter life. To catch the full conversation, pr…

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Charlie Vs Garret - New Book Recalls One Of Ireland's Most Bitter Political Rivalries 13:30

8d ago13:30

13:30

Two political figures, Charles Haughey and Garret FitzGerald, dominated Irish politics throughout the 1980s The rivalry between the two party leaders, who each led all of the Irish governments in that decade, was bitter and their opposing personalities shaped Irish life during this era. Eoin O’Malley, associate professor in political science in DCU…

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The Last Word On Tech: Can Meta's New Smart Glasses Bestow 'Superintelligence'? 9:23

8d ago9:23

9:23

Meta has launched new smart glasses with a built-in display which CEO Mark Zuckerberg claims will unlock the AI promise of "superintelligence." Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss what these glasses do and whether we will all soon be wearing them. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!…

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Culture Club: Hugo Hamilton 31:08

7d ago31:08

31:08

Acclaimed author Hugo Hamilton was the latest guest to join The Last Word’s Culture Club. Along with choosing his favourite music, TV, film and podcasts, he discussed the release of his new book ‘Conversation with the Sea’. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear all his choices.

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Could AI Help Health Services To Save Lives All Over The World? 12:35

7d ago12:35

12:35

Charlotte Blease is Associate Professor at Uppsala University in Sweden and author of Dr Bot: Why Doctors Can Fail Us and How AI Could Save Lives’. She spoke to Matt about the potential of AI as a diagnostic tool and how it could revolutionise medicine.

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Why Now Is The Best Time To Start Saving For Christmas 7:58

9d ago7:58

7:58

It may only be September, but is it already time to start saving for the expensive Christmas season? Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with Irish Independent, joins The Last Word to discuss how you can start budgeting for Christmas so that it doesn't break the bank. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!…

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Government Under Pressure To Provide Further Energy Credits In Budget 2026 18:18

10d ago18:18

18:18

The Government is under increasing pressure to include energy supports for households in the upcoming Budget to offset hikes in electricity and gas bills. Daniel McConnell, editor of the Business Post, and Tabitha Monahan, political reporter with the Irish Independent, join The Last Word to discuss what could be coming in Budget 2026 as the Governm…

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The Last Word On The US: Remembering Robert Redford & Continued Fallout From Charlie Kirk Shooting 17:51

8d ago17:51

17:51

Marion McKeone and Cal Thomas join The Last Word to discuss the latest news from the United States including the death of the iconic actor and director Robert Redford and the continued fallout from the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!…

1
Calls For ‘Immediate Action’ On Falling Number Of Young Farmers 10:59

10d ago10:59

10:59

The 2025 National Ploughing Championships got underway in Screggan, Co. Offaly on Tuesday with up to 300,000 people expected to attend over the coming days. Macra has called for “immediate action” to tackle the drop in numbers of young farmers in Ireland, with just 4% now under the age of 35. Catriona Morrissey, News Editor at the Irish Farmers Jou…

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Building a Business Empire with Bartercard Networking with Joanne Rahn 18:43

11d ago18:43

18:43

In this episode of the Barter Edge Podcast, host Jen interviews Joanne Rahn, a multifaceted entrepreneur and property developer. Joanne shares her diverse entrepreneurial journey from starting as a small business journalist, to founding a dating agency at age 21, moving into e-commerce, and eventually running her own PR agency, Zanthii Communicatio…

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Matt Meets Conor Murray 20:45

9d ago20:45

20:45

Former Munster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions scrum half Conor Murray has released his autobiography, Cloud Nine: My Life In Rugby. He spoke to Matt about his decorated career, how Munster's "conservative" approach to recruiting players impacted the province's success, and what lies ahead now that he's retired from the game. Hit the 'Play' bu…

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The Last Word on TV & Streaming: Adolescence is the Big Winner at the Emmys 10:43

9d ago10:43

10:43

This week on The Last Word on TV and Streaming, Matt is joined by Elaine Burke and Joe O'Shea to discuss the big winners from the 2025 Emmys including Netflix's Adolescence, which saw 15 year old Owen Cooper become the youngest male Emmy winner ever. They also discuss the growing list of countries that say they will not participate in Eurovision un…

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Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Releases His Autobiography “Speaking My Mind” 30:12

11d ago30:12

30:12

Former Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, Leo Varadkar has released his autobiography ‘Speaking My Mind’. He joined Matt on The Last Word to discuss his career in politics and why he resigned in March 2024, the ongoing housing crisis in Ireland, and receiving threats to his home while in office. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversat…

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The Last Word On Travel: Alternative Holidays From Camel Trekking To Pet Sitting 10:05

11d ago10:05

10:05

Would you be interested in trekking across the Sahara Desert on a camel? Or what about staying in somebody's home for free in exchange for looking after their pet? Sinead Kennedy, travel expert and host of wellness activity breaks, joins The Last to discuss a wide range of holidays that are out there for people who want an alternative break away. C…

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475- When Weddings Meet Politics: A Conversation with Margaux Fraise 56:59

11d ago56:59

56:59

Leah sits down with Margaux Fraise, owner of Harmony Creative Studios and host of the Wedding Summit Series, to explore the intricate relationship between politics and weddings. From navigating family dynamics to choosing vendors that align with your values, Margaux shares her insights on how political and cultural factors influence modern weddings…

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Episode 9 -Transforming Venue Design for Success 5:33

10d ago5:33

5:33

Summary In this episode, Shaun discusses the importance of venue design and fit-out, emphasising how strategic decisions can save operators money and enhance customer experience. He highlights the trend of evolving existing spaces without major renovations, the significance of layout optimisation, and the need for continuous improvement in hospital…

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World Athletics Championships 2025 Preview 12:47

12d ago12:47

12:47

Ireland will send its biggest ever team to this year’s World Athletics Championships this year, which gets underway in Tokyo on Saturday morning. With 28 athletes across 14 different events, what are Team Ireland’s medal hopes for the upcoming campaign? Journalist Cathal Dennehy joined Matt to discuss what fans can expect over the coming days. Hit …

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The Week Trending: Charlie Kirk Shooting, Bansky Image Removed & Ireland's First EuroDreams Winner 23:04

14d ago23:04

23:04

A man suspected of shooting dead the conservative activist Charlie Kirk is in police custody in the US; a new Banksy mural is removed from the Royal Courts of Justice in London; and a EuroDreams player in Ireland has won €20,000 every month for 30 years. Elaine Burke, host of the 'For Tech's Sake' podcast, and Dion Fanning, co-host of the 'Free Sta…

1
Sustainability & Climate Resilience at the City of Hollywood 23:02

12d ago23:02

23:02

In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil welcomes Elaine Franklin, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Hollywood, Florida. Franklin shares how the city is advancing its sustainability action plan through clearer accountability, innovative digital tracking tools, and regional collaboration to achieve net zero em…

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Tech Thursday: iPhone 17 and iPhone Air 8:22

13d ago8:22

8:22

Andy O'Donoghue previewed Apple's latest products launched this week, the iPhone 17 and the iPhone Air. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

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What Does The Future Hold For The GAA? 13:28

13d ago13:28

13:28

Michael Moynihan, author and journalist with the Irish Examiner, has published his latest book 'More Than A Game: The GAA and Where It's Going". How will Gaelic football's rejuvenation impact the popularity of hurling across the country? Can the GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association realistically exist under one roof? How might rural depopulati…

1
Who Was Charlie Kirk, The Trump Ally Shot Dead In Utah? 10:11

15d ago10:11

10:11

On Wednesday night, the death was announced of US conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, after he was shot at a university event in Utah. US President Donald Trump confirmed the news, saying “The great, and even legendary, Charlie Kirk is dead. No one understood or had the heart of the youth of the United States of America better than Charlie.” Mar…

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Ireland Will Not Take Part In Eurovision If Israel Is Involved 8:58

15d ago8:58

8:58

RTÉ has announced that it will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song contest "if the participation of Israel goes ahead". Elaine Burke, host of the 'For Tech's Sake' podcast, joins The Last Word to discuss the broadcaster's statement and whether other countries may follow suit. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!…

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Trump Doonbeg Confirmed As Host Venue For 2026 Irish Open 12:46

15d ago12:46

12:46

Donald Trump's Doonbeg Golf Club will host next year's Amgen Irish Open. This is the first time the Co. Clare course will host the tournament, with Taoiseah Micheál Martin saying that President Trump would be "welcome" to visit Ireland. Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at University of Galway & Political Columnist with TheJournal.ie and Lawrence Donega…

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Culture Club: FeliSpeaks 31:12

14d ago31:12

31:12

Poet, playwright and spoken word performer FeliSpeaks was the latest inductee into the Culture Club where they discussed their play Octopus Children that has debuted as part of Dublin Fringe Festival. FeliSpeaks also discussed their favourite music, TV shows, books and cultural buried treasures. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' butt…

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Personal Finance: How To Get A Better Deal On Your Energy Bills 7:11

16d ago7:11

7:11

Energy provider Energia has announced a price increase of up to 12.1% for its electricity but Electric Ireland is cutting its gas prices while its electricity rates stay the same. Why is one provider raising prices while another is cutting them? And how can consumers get a better deal? Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with the Irish Independ…

1
The Last Word On The US: White House Denies Trump’s Alleged Birthday Message To Epstein Is Real 14:36

16d ago14:36

14:36

The White House has denied that an alleged letter from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein for Mr. Epstein’s birthday is authentic. The letter features a drawing of a woman’s body and appears to be signed by the US President. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone spoke to Matt on Tuesday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.…

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Ryanair Seeking Judicial Review Of Dublin Airport Nightflights 9:07

14d ago9:07

9:07

In the Last Word On Business, Ian Guider, Business Columnist with The Business Post, outlined the plans from Ryanair to seek a judicial review of the ruling capping night flights at Dublin airport. Ian also explained what is happening in terms of a planned overhaul of the judicial review process to end some challenges to developments. He looked ahe…

1
Additional €30m Being Sought To Fund 2027 Ryder Cup In Adare 7:41

17d ago7:41

7:41

Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan has said that the government expects a request for additional funding to address hospitality and infrastructure needs in Adare, Co. Limerick, ahead of the village hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027. The event is due to be held at Adare Manor, the luxury hotel owned by businessman JP McManus. Brian Carroll, author and…

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Bartercard Success Story from Hair Styling to Pageants with Suzi Dent 18:36

18d ago18:36

18:36

In this episode of the Barter Edge Podcast, host Jen interviews Suzi Dent, a seasoned hairdresser and makeup artist with 42 years of experience. Suzi shares her transformative journey with Bartercard, revealing how this innovative barter system has revolutionised her business and personal life over the past 20 years. From trading cosmetics to secur…