Best Spanish Loops Podcasts (2025)

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S3, Ep : 14. Madrid’s Hidden Ocean: Inside the World’s Second Largest Fish Market. 33:33

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1h ago33:33

33:33

Welcome back to Spanish Loops, where this week you are taken into a place that any traveler never see, yet every restaurant, bar, and seafood stall in Madrid depends on it. It’s one of the biggest fish markets in the world, second only to Tokyo’s. Yes, right in the heart of Spain, hundreds of Kilometres from the coast, lies a seafood empire that fe…

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Liberty or Death: The South Falls to the Rebels 49:43

20m ago49:43

49:43

In this episode, the 1798 Rebellion moved into a new and deadly phase as the south of Ireland erupted in revolt. Rebel forces swept through the countryside in Co Wexford as loyalist strongholds fell. As the violence escalated carefully laid plans quickly unravelled, and the first major battles left irish society reeling. This podcast explores how o…

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S3, Ep : 13. Exploring La Casa de Alba, Spain's Timeless Noble Dynasty. 8:36

22h ago8:36

8:36

Hello Chicos and welcome to another exciting edition of Spanish Loops, your passport to the culture, stories, and heartbeat of Spain. This week, we open the doors to one of the most famous noble families in the world "La Casa de Alba", the House of Alba. We’re talking about a lineage that’s been shaping Spanish history for centuries, from the royal…

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Broken Silence: The Murder of Mary Doherty 40:00

7d ago40:00

40:00

In March 1844, the quiet community of Culdaff in north Donegal was rocked by the brutal murder of fourteen-year-old servant Mary Doherty. As the Great Hunger loomed on the horizon, Mary’s tragic death was soon overshadowed by famine and emigration, her story fading into fragments of local folklore. However, in recent years, historian Angela Byrne h…

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S3, Ep : 12. Ghosts of Spain: Haunted legends & real encounters. 35:57

8d ago35:57

35:57

Hey what’s up loop-lovers! These are your celebrity friends tuning in, and we are so stoked to introduce the latest episode of Spanish Loops, just in time for the spooky season! This week, we get into the ghostly corners of Spain and some haunted legends, eerie personal experiences, and why the Iberian Night has a story to tell. From the shadowy al…

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The Rebellion Begins: Plots, Spies, and Informers 44:20

14d ago44:20

44:20

In the early days of 1798, Dublin teetered on the edge of revolution. A shadow war raged between the United Irishmen and the British authorities, with the city’s fate hanging in the balance. This episode delves into the world of Edward Cooke, the spymaster at Dublin Castle, as he races to dismantle the revolutionary movement through a web of inform…

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Hugh O’Flaherty & The Vatican Escape Line in World War II 1:12:29

14d ago1:12:29

1:12:29

This special episode of the Irish History Podcast is made in partnership with An Post. In Nazi-occupied Rome, the Irish priest Hugh O’Flaherty risked everything to save thousands from certain death. By running a secret escape line, O’Flaherty became a lifeline for those facing persecution so much so that he became a wanted man by the Gestapo. Despi…

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S3, Ep: 11. Exploring Andalusia: A Journey Through Tapas Traditions. 31:31

15d ago31:31

31:31

Welcome to the latest chapter of Spanish Loops, a mouth watering splash into tapas culture in the south of Spain. In this episode we trace tapas from humble tavern lids to a national obsession: the legends (from King Charles III “bite with your wine” tale to seaside slices that kept sand out of drinks), the social rituals, and how small plates beca…

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The French Invasion: Ireland’s Year of Terror? 39:18

17d ago39:18

39:18

This episode covers one of the most famous events in our history. It’s part of the 1798 Rebellion series, but you can dive straight in if you don't want the gripping backstory! In the closing months of 1796, Ireland was gripped by fear and uncertainty. This episode sees an invasion force of battle-hardened French veterans arrive off the Irish coast…

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S3, Ep: 10. Thermal Spas and Wellness Retreats in Spain. 40:50

25d ago40:50

40:50

Hola Chicos! Jorge and Fran here with Spanish Loops, and today we’re slipping into something silky: Spain’s legendary spas and “Balnearios”. From steaming thermal springs tucked into ancient villages to ultra-chic coastal resorts, Spain’s water culture blends Roman roots, medieval rituals, and modern wellness tech into purerelaxation. There are his…

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The Jackson Spy Affair: The Downfall of the Society of United Irishmen 38:50

28d ago38:50

38:50

This episode returns to the story of the 1798 Rebellion, but also stands alone as its own story. In 1793, war broke out between the British Empire and Revolutionary France. This episode explores what happened when a French spy, William Jackson, is caught in Ireland. After his capture, the authorities learned that Irish radicals in the Society of Un…

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S3, Ep : 9. Madrid and the Cathedral of Almudena: Politics, Faith, Architecture, and Time 34:05

29d ago34:05

34:05

Good morning, good afternoon or good evening, wherever you are in the world. This is Spanish Loops, and today we bring you the story of a cathedral that has puzzled architects,historians, and visitors for decades: Madrid’s very own Cathedral of the Almudena. Now, imagine this: a project that began with grand ambition in the late 19th century, yet d…

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Airbrushed from History: The Great Hunger in Dublin 32:00

29d ago32:00

32:00

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S3, Ep : 8. Decoding the Hand of Irulegui’s Ancient Secrets 31:13

1M ago31:13

31:13

Hola hola!This is Jorge and Fran again back on Spanish Loops, the podcast where stones, myths, and history collide. Buckle up, because in our next episode, we’re unravelling “The Hand of Irulegui”. A recent archaeological marvel from the Basque lands, glowing like a beacon in the darkness of our linguistic past. This isn’t just a statue or relic, i…

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The French Revolution & the Society of United Irishmen 44:30

1M ago44:30

44:30

While this episode fits into a bigger series on the 1798 Rebellion, it’s also designed to stand on its own. The French Revolution of 1789 electrified Ireland, inspiring hope and fear in equal measure. It would lead to the establishment of Ireland’s republican movement in 1791. Exploring the profound impact of the revolution in Ireland, this episode…

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S3, Ep : 7. Unveiling the Stories of Churches, Basilicas, Cathedrals 40:22

2M ago40:22

40:22

Hola! This are Jorge Román and Fran Glaría, your passport to the hidden stories behind Spain’s stone and stained glass. Today on Spanish Loops we are talking to a subject that is as old as civilization and twice as dramatic: what makes a churchdifferent from a cathedral, a basilica, or an ermita? From humble chapels tucked into cliff faces to awe s…

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The Rising Storm: The American War of Independence & Ireland 43:00

1M ago43:00

43:00

This episode is part of a wider series on the 1798 Rebellion, but you can enjoy it as a stand-alone story. When the American Revolution broke out in the 1770s, it sent shock waves across the Atlantic, transforming Irish politics and society. To explore this enthralling story the episode begins with the arrival of Benjamin Franklin in Dublin - a vis…

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S3, Ep : 6. Barcelona for sweet toothers. 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

Hey there, amigos, and welcome back to Spanish Loops! If you joined us last week, you know we took a delicious walk through Madrid’s sweet tooth, pastries, churros, and more. Well, this week, we’re heading east to the Mediterranean breeze and Gothic vibes of Barcelona, where sugar meets tradition in the most irresistible way. Barcelona’s sweets are…

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The Penal Laws: An Irish Apartheid? 47:19

2M ago47:19

47:19

This podcast opens a broader series on the 1798 Rebellion, but also works as a stand alone episode. For over a century, Irish Catholics and Presbyterians were subjected to the Penal Laws. Although the vast majority of the population, they were banned from voting, sitting in parliament, bearing weapons, and entering many professions—the list goes on…

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S3, Ep : 5. Madrid for sweet toothers. 40:10

2M ago40:10

40:10

Ladies and gentlemen, travelers and food lovers, welcome back to another irresistible episode of Spanish Loops! This week, Fran and I drive you through the sugary world of Madrid’s sweet tooth. That’s right, this city isn’t just about art, nightlife, and tapas. It’s also about centuries of tradition baked into every pastry that graces its cafés, ba…

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1798: The Year Ireland Changed Forever 6:00

2M 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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S3, Ep : 4. Spain’s Secret Hero of the American Revolution: Bernardo de Gálvez. 31:19

2M ago31:19

31:19

Hey Chicos,It’s Jorge and Fran from Spanish Loops, and today we are rolling out a blockbuster: The life, grit, and legacy of Bernardo de Gálvez. The Spanish powerhouse who helped to shape the early United States. If you’ve heard the Revolution told only through Boston and Philadelphia, buckle up. We’re headingsouth to New Orleans, the Mississippi, …

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

2M 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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S3, Ep : 3. ETA. Bullets, Ballots, and the Basque Conflict. 44:25

3M ago44:25

44:25

Hola Amigos and welcome back to the show. We are Fran and Jorge and today we are opening a chapter that Spain still feels in its bones: ETA. How a clandestine group turned terror into a political gambit, shaking streets from San Sebastián to Madrid and beyond. We will rewind to the last breath of Franco’s dictatorship, when the country was brittle,…

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

2M 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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S3, Ep : 2. From Selfies to Spray Guns: Spain’s Tourism Backlash. 32:01

3M ago32:01

32:01

Hola! It’s Jorge and Fran from Spanish Loops, sneaking again into your earbuds like a surprise tapas plate at midnight: witty, chilled, and absolutely unmissable. We’ve got a killer episode lined up. This global anti tourism wave that is crossing Europe. And about Spain, especially in the sunny but mad Catalonia and the Canary Islands. Think less o…

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

3M 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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S3, Ep : 1. Organs in Spain. Their origins, curves, and soul. 27:12

3M ago27:12

27:12

Hola, amigos Loopers!Welcome back to Spanish Loops, where we roll through the sounds of Spanish music and culture. This week, we are informing about some spectacular, soul stirring world of musical organs in Spain. Majestic pipe organ marvels that have been singing with centuries of history, artistry, and regional flair. Across the country, these i…

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S 2, Ep : 100. TV Evolution in Spain. Nostalgia, then and now. 37:50

3M ago37:50

37:50

Hello friends, and welcome back to Spanish Loops, your go to podcast for cultural lessons into Spain’s rich history and how it shapes our modern life. In today’s episode, we rewind to the early days of Spanish television. A time when TV meant black and white screens, rabbit ear antennas, and a strong dose of hope.Under Franco’s dictatorship, televi…

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

3M 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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S2, Ep : 99. It all started with a leather bag… 22:55

3M ago22:55

22:55

Hola! Welcome back to Spanish Loops, your weekly dose of Spain with a twist and today, we're diving c*j*nes first into the spicy world of Spanish expressions! Yes, you heard right. This week’s episode is all about that one bold, magical, untranslatable word: c*j*nes. It’s not just anatomy, my friends: it’s attitude, emotion, frustration, pride… eve…

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S2, Ep : 98. National Archaeological Museum. The MAN. 29:01

4M ago29:01

29:01

Hola! And welcome back to another episode of Spanish Loops where we get deep into the heart of Spanish culture, history, and the untold stories behind the landmarks youthought you knew. This week, we are heading off the beaten path (again), and it’s worth it. Right in the heart of Madrid, just a stone’s throw from the Prado and the Reina Sofía Muse…

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Who Will History Remember? 32:09

4M 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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S2, Ep : 97. Castellers, human castles in Catalonia. 22:29

4M ago22:29

22:29

Hello, hello, and welcome back to Spanish Loops! Your weekly journey into the heart of Spain’s living culture! And this week we’re going high… literally! Today, we are heading to Catalonia to explore one of the most breath taking, gravity defying traditions in all of Spain: Los Castellers. These human towers, real people climbing on top of each oth…

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

4M 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

4M 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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S2, Ep : 96. Four must read book to understand Spain. (And Spaniards.) 51:20

4M ago51:20

51:20

Hola Chicos and welcome back to Spanish Loops! You’re tuning in to a brand new episode that will take you straight into the heart of Spanish culture by exploring four “must read” books that reveal the soul of Spain. From street smarts to epic ideals, and its wounds through history and memory. Stick around as we are unpacking everything. -Lazarillo …

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

4M 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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S2, Ep : 95. El Rastro of Madrid. One of the oldest street markets in Spain. 26:36

4M ago26:36

26:36

Hola Spanish Loops family! Welcome back to another fresh chapter of your favourite culture packed podcast. This week, we touch something that’s as authentically Madrileño as churros con chocolate. El Rastro! If you’ve ever been to Madrid on a Sunday morning, chances are you have wandered into this colourful, chaotic, and absolutely magical street m…

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

4M 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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S2, Ep : 94. The future Queen of Spain, Leonor I. 35:22

5M ago35:22

35:22

Hola Loopers, and welcome back to another exciting chapter of Spanish Loops! Today we bring you a special episode that blends royalty, history, and the future of Spain. All in one powerful loop! Today, we shift our spotlight to none other than Her Royal Highness Princess Leonor of Spain, the next in line to the Spanish throne, and what a journey sh…

2651
Banned: The Hidden History of Contraception in Ireland (Listener Favourite) 28:12

5M 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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S2, Ep : 93. Spices, Battles and Sails: Columbus, Isabel la Catolica and Toribio de la Vega. 33:16

5M ago33:16

33:16

Hello Loopers, welcome back to the Spanish Loops podcast! This week we touch a piece of story that smells like cinnamon, sounds like conquest and feels like the turning of an empire. In this week's episode, we are blending a heady mix of spices, power and destiny. We'll explore how the obsession with exotic spices fired up massive changes across th…

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S2, Ep : 92. The Royal Tapestry Factory. History, Heritage and much more. 32:56

5M ago32:56

32:56

Hello and welcome back to Spanish Loops! Today, we discover to you one of Madrid’s best kept cultural treasures: The Royal Tapestry Factory (Real Fábrica de Tapices). Founded in 1721 under the reign of King Philip V, this iconic institution has stood the test of time for over 300 years. What began as a royal initiative to enrich Royal Palaces with …

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

5M 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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S2, Ep : 91. El Prado Museum. (Virtual visit). 43:07

5M ago43:07

43:07

Hello again, dear Loopers! Welcome to another exciting episode of Spanish Loops! We are Fran and Jorge, and as always, we join forces together. Today we have something truly special lined up for you. Get ready to embark on a virtual journey through one of the most iconic and majestic museums in the world. Yes, we are talking about the Museo del Pra…

2951
The Irish Wake: A History 50:11

5M 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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S2, Ep : 90. Hats in Spain. Why and when. 40:08

6M ago40:08

40:08

Ladies, gentlemen, and podcast lovers across the world, welcome back to your favourite weekly program into Spanish culture! That’s right, it’s time for another episode of Spanish Loops! In today's episode, you’re in for a treat. Francisco and Jorge are tipping their hats, literally and figuratively, as they unravel one of Spain’s most surprising cu…

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

6M 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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S2, Ep : 89. Spanish trains evolution explained. 37:06

6M ago37:06

37:06

Hey Loopers! Welcome back to another episode of Spanish Loops. So today, Fran and I are talking about something kind of surprising: the evolution of Spain’s railway system. And get this... it didn't even start on the Iberian Peninsula! Nope, the first tracks were actually laid overseas. Wild, right? Soon after, though, the very first railway line d…