Best Inside Ulster Podcasts (2026)

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Ep 3443: Littler Turns Heel, Ulster Show The Way, Frawley Goes West, Escort Love - 05/01/26 47:26

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1d ago47:26

47:26

At 18 years of age two time world darts champ Luke Littler has no more worlds to conquer, so now gets his kicks from turning heel. Eoin goes through his wrestling archives while Ken frets about the future of the sport. Leinster won three from three in the Christmas interpros but Ulster are the story this week after a stylish 28-3 win over Munster a…

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Ep 3442: Goodnight Sweet Prince - 05/01/26 1:19:58

16h ago1:19:58

1:19:58

Goodbye Ruben. We are sorry to see you go. You were good to us. We wish you well. We discuss why so many fanbases currently seem to hate their manager/coach - with happy exceptions like Arsenal, and Brentford, whose four goals against Everton amounted to a symphony of the head coach's craft. Mark Critchley and Lars Sivertsen join us to talk about h…

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DUP’s Phillip Brett: "I would love to see justice for my mum” 42:15

1d ago42:15

42:15

At 34, Phillip Brett is one of Stormont’s younger MLAs and the North Belfast Assembly man has seen his profile grow since being elected to Stormont in 2022. He says much of his politics has been shaped by his close relationship with Nigel and Dianne Dodds, who he calls his ‘political mum and dad’. Philip Brett’s family life was torn asunder when hi…

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The murder of Pearl Gamble and the man who was hanged for it 27:20

4d ago27:20

27:20

The morning after a dance in a Newry Orange hall, 19-year-old Pearl Gamble’s body is found at the end of a trail of blood. Suspicion immediately falls on 25-year-old Robert McGladdery, known locally for his predatorial behaviour. Less than a year later, McGladdery is the last man to be hanged on the island of Ireland. Historian Joe Baker and Charli…

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Martin O’Hagan: The LVF murder of Sunday World journalist and the struggle for justice 30:10

6d ago30:10

30:10

Martin O’Hagan was a former IRA prisoner who eventually rejected violence and became an investigative reporter with the Sunday World. He was murdered by the LVF in Lurgan on 28th of September 2001. No-one has ever been convicted of the killing. The National Union of Journalists wants an independent inquiry into the killing and the subsequent invest…

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Ep 3440: Charlie O’Leary Irish Football Legend - 30/12/25 53:10

7d ago53:10

53:10

Charlie O’Leary, a former Republic Of Ireland kit-man under big Jack and all round Irish football legend, was our Second Captains Hero of 2025; he was even in the Gaiety to take a victory lap in front of 1300 people in October. But before then, Ken, Eoin and Branno were in his house on Dublin’s northside to talk to him about his incredible 101 year…

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Ep 3438: A Christmas Love Fest With Ken And Wilson - 29/12/25 1:01:24

8d ago1:01:24

1:01:24

An annual Second Captains tradition continues today under new branding (RIP Scrooge Cast), as Jonathan Wilson joins Ken to discuss the post-Christmas football. Also touched on today: energy flows, Wilson's inability to take a day off work, the possible impact of AI on the game, Protestantism, whether 'reading' might in fact have been the problem al…

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The time the Stickies went to North Korea 26:30

8d ago26:30

26:30

North Korea is one of the world’s most secretive states – known for its dictators who are treated like gods and an iron-clad grip on their citizens. Back in 1988, six members of the Official IRA made their way to North Korea to receive state of the art training – some were expelled from the country after a drunken brawl. The unusual alliance came a…

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McIlroy’s masters win, boxing success, and NI wins the World Cup... Northern Ireland’s top 15 2025 Sport moments 50:45

11d ago50:45

50:45

2025 was a platinum year for Northern Ireland’s sport superstars, from winning Premier League medals to securing world titles. Rory McIlroy finally got his hands on the green jacket, Lewis Crocker upset the odds to win the IBF Welterweight World title at Windsor Park, and Northern Ireland won its first ever World Cup... as Josh Rock and Daryl Gurne…

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The DJ Carey Story EP 3: The Con Collapses 31:09

13d ago31:09

31:09

DJ Carey said he was fighting for his life, but the truth was far more shocking. We ask how one of hurling’s greatest heroes went from legend to scandal, and what the courts would say as the law eventually caught up with him. Host: Kevin Doyle. Guests: Noel Tynan, Amy Molloy, Niamh Horan and Colm Keys Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…

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The DJ Carey Story EP 2: The Cancer Lies 27:18

14d ago27:18

27:18

When DJ Carey told people he had cancer, few questioned him — after all, he was a national treasure. But was DJ really sick, or spinning a story for sympathy and money? One man tells of his story of how he was duped by DJ Carey. Host: Kevin Doyle Guests: Noel Tynan and Amy Molloy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Ep 3434: Can Villa Keep This Up, Amorim Is For Turning, Pep Not Eternal, Rogers Better Than Bellingham, Jake Paul Nonsense - 22/12/25 1:11:29

15d ago1:11:29

1:11:29

Inside us all are two wolves. Unfortunately for Wolves the football team (despite Matt Doherty's reverse Churchill) it's the wolf that is currently the worst at football in all of Europe. Meanwhile, the Romulus and Remus of Serie A get their teeth into Evan. To talk about Ruben's back four, Villa's rise, Rogers V Bellingham and happy Pep we chat to…

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The DJ Carey Story EP 1: The Sports Star 29:56

15d ago29:56

29:56

He conquered the hurling field, but off it DJ Carey was playing a far darker game. This is the story of a national icon who fooled everyone — until the truth caught up with him. In this special series from the Indo Daily, we trace the rise of a sporting icon whose lies, deception and downfall proved even heroes can crumble. Host: Kevin Doyle Guests…

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Salah's AFCON, A Country For Old Men, Fat Quiz, Ribald KENCALL 24:00

18d ago24:00

24:00

It was “Super-Friends Of The Show” week this week, between Killian Sundermann coming in for the Second Captains FAT quiz of the year, a chat with US Murph, our first ever festive edition of KENCALL and Oluwashina Okeleji on Salah's AFCON 2025 and Nigeria's legal route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup . We’ve had an amazing year on the podcast this year, …

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The murder of Denis Donaldson – a mystery that just gets murkier 37:46

18d ago37:46

37:46

Allison Morris explains what we know about the death of the British informer at the heart of Sinn Féin, Denis Donaldson, who was murdered in April 2006. No-one has ever been convicted of the murder and Donaldson’s family rejects a claim by the Real IRA that they did it. But whilst much of this story remains a mystery, further details have emerged. …

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‘Ulster-Scots a wealth denied, and Britishness not valued as it was’: Lee Reynolds 30:06

20d ago30:06

30:06

Lee Reynolds is Northern Ireland's first Commissioner for the Ulster-Scots and the Ulster-British tradition. The Coleraine man is a former DUP special advisor, Belfast city councillor and he’s the man who coordinated the campaign for Brexit in Northern Ireland. What does the role entail? What is Mr Reynold’s vision? And what changes can people expe…

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Ep 3249: Send In The Second Rows, The Munster Project, Clutch Charlie Smyth - 15/12/25 46:29

22d ago46:29

46:29

Munster and Leinster both won their Champions Cup games over the weekend, both came through sticky situations against English opposition, but overall satisfaction levels are low. We chat to Shane Horgan and Andrew Trimble about Clayton McMillan's realistic outlook on the Munster project, Leinster's pre-Chistmas form, and they react to former Leinst…

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Episode 3428: Evan Hype Re-Up, Ruben's High Horse, Anfield Ceasefire, Xhaka Best Mackem, Uefa Cup Robbie 1:13:25

22d ago1:13:25

1:13:25

It looks like Celtic arrived at a good time for Evan Ferguson, while Robbie Keane seems to be having so much fun in Europe the question is how he will ever be tempted back to the league where he made his name. Morgan Rogers' Stan Collymore-like winner for Villa at West Ham reminds us that it's been a while since Ken read out some npG minus xG stats…

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Dave Rupert: The Chicago trucker recruited by the FBI to spy on IRA 35:04

22d ago35:04

35:04

Dave Rupert, a six and half foot tall, middle-aged trucker from Chicago, with no Irish links. Rupert was a tourist who enjoyed a pint and through a series of chance events became a trusted republican insider and then an agent working for the FBI. How did an American man with no background in republicanism end up living a double life as part of the …

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NI Artist Colin Davidson on painting the late Queen, the Troubles and his most important work 56:46

24d ago56:46

56:46

Belfast man Colin Davidson is one of Ireland’s most celebrated painters. Queen Elizabeth II, Bono, Ed Sheeran and Seamus Heaney are among the host of famous faces to have sat for him. Yet the Belfast-born painter regards his greatest work as a series of 18 portraits, which he did for free. In his new book, titled ‘Twelve paintings: Conversations wi…

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‘Media amplifies opposition to Irish language’: Newly appointed Irish Language Commissioner 27:21

25d ago27:21

27:21

The newly appointed Irish Language Commissioner says the Irish language is not controversial and that opposition to it is “amplified” by the media. Dr Pól Deeds also said he couldn’t think of an example of language “weaponisation”. Unionist opposition to the language has long been justified as legitimate due to “weaponisation” of Irish by republica…

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Salah Week, Ken Called It, Chess Cult 23:11

26d ago23:11

23:11

We’d another barn-storming week this week, with the main story being Mo Salah’s rapidly-deteriorating relationship with Liverpool Football Club, which we covered in depth. We had a brilliant chat with Danny Rensch, the co-founder of chess.com, which went from being a successful start-up to a billion dollar company during the pandemic, thanks largel…

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Scappaticci / Stakeknife’s extraordinary relationship with army revealed 32:24

28d ago32:24

32:24

The long-awaited report on the activities of IRA double agent ‘Stakeknife’, Freddie Scappaticci, has now been released. The investigation, which cost close to £48 million and took eight years, has revealed new details, despite not naming Scappaticci as Stakeknife. It reveals details of security forces confirming that the Stakeknife operation probab…

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Ep 3423: Rio's World Cup Jitters, Munster Take A Bath, Rieko Arrives, Dingle At The Death - 08/12/25 57:44

29d ago57:44

57:44

Permutations Man had a rough week last week and he is back on air today to explain what happened. Ken asks if Rio Ferdinand was the worst possible choice for a complex World Cup tv draw? The Champions Cup is back, and Munster got a reality check inside the first 20 minutes against Bath on Saturday evening. Munster legend Dave Kilcoyne and Gerry Tho…

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Ep 3422: Villa's Glory, Ken Weeps for Europe, Mixed Zone Mo - 08/12/25 1:08:27

29d ago1:08:27

1:08:27

The memory of Friday's FIFA draw continues to linger like the smell of a dead rat under the floorboards. As he whines about middle-of-the-night kick offs, people are accusing Ken of being 'eurocentric' - but surely somebody has to be? Meanwhile Mo Salah seems to have torched his future at Liverpool by accusing the manager and club of throwing him u…

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Disappeared commission chief on the search for the dead 27:20

29d ago27:20

27:20

Four victims of the Troubles - all believed to be victims of the IRA, remain missing. The so-called ‘Disappeared’, people murdered and secretly buried by republicans have long been searched for but the remains of Columba McVeigh, Joe Lynskey, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire have yet to be found. A new search for Seamus Maguire is planned for the s…

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The UDA's deadly attack on Dublin Airport, 50 years on 19:37

1M ago19:37

19:37

50 years ago, on November 29, 1975, the UDA attacked Dublin Airport, leading to the death of a baggage handler. The tragedy has been largely forgotten by the wider public over the last five decades. However, for those who still seek answers it is as pressing as ever. Host: Kevin Doyle Guest: Brendan Hayes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for …

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'Republicans' threaten elected politicians 22:09

1M ago22:09

22:09

A criminal investigation has been launched after a group of masked and armed men issued threats where they described politicians in the Newry area as “legitimate targets”. In the video, the three masked men, who are shown holding what looks like firearms, say they are members of the ‘New Republican Movement’. One of the masked men accuses local pol…

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Jimmy Dunne On The Miracle Of Budapest, A Szoboszlai Never Forgets, Hasan Piker On The American Berserk 25:53

1M ago25:53

25:53

We've seen it all this week on Second Captains, from ultrarunning with 100 mile world record holder Caitriona Jennings to 'American ultraviolence' with Hasan Piker on Ken's Politics Podcast, taking in our Sports Book of the Year Show and a brilliant follow-up chat with Ireland and QPR's Jimmy Dunne along the way. For six independent ad-free shows a…

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People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll outlines his vision of socialism 42:58

1M ago42:58

42:58

People before Profit has one MLA in Stormont – Gerry Carroll. But the west Belfast man, known for his pro-Palestinian views and critiques of capitalism, has a high profile. People before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll spoke to Ciarán Dunbar about what he thinks a socialist Ireland would look like, his views on a border poll, and his views on immigration …

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Ep 3417: Caitriona Jennings On Her 100 Mile World Record, Saint Charlie, Rugby Loses Its Marbles - 01/12/25 48:45

1M ago48:45

48:45

Caitriona Jennings is the proud World Record holder over the terrifying distance of 100 miles and she spoke to us in studio about how and why she was able to run this distance, what it feels like mid race, and her harrowing London Olympics marathon experience. We discuss Charlie Smyth’s extraordinary journey from the Down senior Gaelic football tea…

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Ep 3416: Watching Pots Boil, Premier League Mad Men, Caicedo Erupts, The Como-verse - 01/12/25 1:13:24

1M ago1:13:24

1:13:24

Just as a watched pot never boils, an obsessively tracked Irish striker in Europe does not deliver goals under the desperate hungry eyes of the nation. Is it time for us to back off Troy and Ev and give them some space to do their thing? Maybe, but not today! James Horncastle joins us to talk about Roma v Napoli. How happy is Gian Piero Gasperini l…

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Danny Morrison on 'inevitable' united Ireland, Gerry Adams, and Stormont 36:24

1M ago36:24

36:24

Danny Morrison was once Sinn Féin’s publicity director - well-known for the phrase ‘a ballot box in one hand and an Armalite in the other’. Now, he’s no longer involved in front-line politics and is better known as a writer. His latest work is an updated memoir entitled ‘All the Dead voices’, which was originally released in 2002. Danny Morrison jo…

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Would a nine-county Northern Ireland have survived? 26:04

1M ago26:04

26:04

Northern Ireland is six counties. But the province of Ulster was – and is – made up of nine counties – all including Ulster Protestants. As partition loomed, Unionists chose six counties and demographic dominance over nine counties with a much smaller protestant majority. But what if Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan remained in the UK? Ciarán Dunbar is …

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Liverpool Lack Anger, The Dutch Perspective On Slot, Tantalising World Cup 24:56

1M ago24:56

24:56

Welcome to our world service e taster show! To access all our shows go to secondcaptains.com/join To get some insight into the man presiding over Liverpool’s worst run of defeats in more than 70 years, we welcome Mikos Gouka, journalist with Algemeene Dagblad and author of the recently released Arne Slot: The New Era. There’s no contracts, no hidde…

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Julian Simmons on WW3 and Alien invasions, missing 'the old UTV', and losing his mum 31:14

1M ago31:14

31:14

Julian Simmons is a Northern Ireland broadcasting legend, best known for his colourful introductions to soaps on UTV. Although continuity was axed on the Channel during covid, Julian is still adored by the public, now swapping the tv studio for DJ decks and much more. But despite his bright plans for the future, Simmons says he fears that a comet c…

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"It looks like a youth club": The open prison that lets NI’s most violent men roam free 23:42

1M ago23:42

23:42

Burren House is a part of Northern Ireland’s prison system that many of us have never heard of. It’s a pre-release open prison – supposedly intended to prepare murderers, sex offenders and others for release back into our communities. Some of the 25 criminals held in Burren House include serial sex attacker Tom Ward and former academic Gerry O’Kane…

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Ep 3411: Lest We Forget Evan, Trophies In November, Spreadsheet Early, Glasgow Kiss- 24/11/25 1:33:07

1M ago1:33:07

1:33:07

GOOOOOLAZZOOOO... OK Evan Ferguson's first goal for Roma was not quite in that category but we can say now that the Eternal City has officially entered Fergie Time. Meanwhile Troy Parrott scored another nice goal: is this an unprecedented attacking selection headache for Ireland? What's the deal with playing two strikers anyway? How many teams are …

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Ep 3410: Back In Your Boks, Scrumpocalypse, Ryan's Original Sin, Stop Start Rugby - 24/11/25 57:30

1M ago57:30

57:30

South Africa beat Ireland 24-13 but in reality it was a demolition by Rassie's men. Did the whole game hang on James Ryan's deserved red card, or could Ireland have done more to adapt to the situation against the world's best team? We chat to our man in South Africa, Craig Ray about the rash of reds and yellows, if refs get influenced by external n…

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Socialist vigilantes linked to pipe-bomb attacks on west Belfast far right 26:19

1M ago26:19

26:19

Members of a vigilante group targeting far-right activists have been blamed for pipe bomb attacks in west Belfast. Sources say the group, which calls itself the Socialist Republican Front, is leaving viable devices close to the homes of people they claim are connected to far-right organisations. Ciarán Dunbar joined by Belfast Telegraph security co…

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Enoch Burke jailed again: Who is funding his crusade? 24:23

2M ago24:23

24:23

Enoch Burke and his family have been a recurring fixture in Irish media for the past three years. What began as a workplace dispute over his objection to transgenderism, has spiraled into a protracted and costly legal saga, one that has already seen him spend more than 500 days in jail for contempt of court. Now, he is set to return to Mountjoy onc…

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The Post-Hungary Glow, Next Up Czechia, Branno Comes For Ken's Throne, The Ashes Is Underway 25:14

2M ago25:14

25:14

It's been a beautiful, podcast-packed week on the World Service since Troy Parrott stole the nation's heart on Sunday afternoon in Budapest. Seven shows later, we're bringing you a taste of what member-led broadcasting looks like in a golden few days for Irish football. Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to our programming throughout the res…

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Presbyterian Church mired in controversy as PSNI launch criminal investigation 38:19

2M ago38:19

38:19

The PSNI has is probing safeguarding failures in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. It comes after the church’s moderator Trevor Gribben quit citing ‘serious and significant failings’ in safeguarding from 2009 to 2022, including concerns over a pedophile teacher who was a voluntary youth group leader in the church. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by The B…

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BelTel Politics: The BBC, Stormont and a toxic environment for women 36:48

2M ago36:48

36:48

Stormont has celebrated its first 10,000 days, but is it struggling with continuing political toxicity? As the UUP’s only mayor says she has faced extreme sexism, is politics getting rougher for women? And, the BBC say they are ‘determined’ to fight Donald Trump in court, but what next for the corporation. To talk about the week in politics, Ciarán…

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Ep 3404: Ireland Hammer Australia, Mack Is A Catch, Which 10 For SA, The Red Boks - 17/11/25 51:56

2M ago51:56

51:56

The Irish lineout was near perfect, their kicking game was on point, a few key players are back in form, they have a new fullback option in Mack Hansen, both 10's played well, they beat Australia by a record margin and the fans in Lansdowne Road went home happy for the second time in four days... the good times just keep rolling in Irish sport. We …

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The Anglo-Irish Agreement (Part Three): The ‘game-changer’ which lead to the Good Friday Agreement 21:16

2M ago21:16

21:16

Despite the protests and the anger of unionists, the Anglo-Irish Agreement endured under superseeded by the GFA. Some see it as a key factor in attracting Sinn Féin into the political process and by many as a vital factor in convincing unionism that it would have to concede to power-sharing with nationalists. Ciarán Dunbar spoke to Professor Fergal…

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Ep 3403: Parrott Meets The Moment, Good Times Return For Irish Football - 16/11/25 52:16

2M ago52:16

52:16

Skill, heroics, late late glory... things like this don't happen to us, until now. Ken, Eoin and Murph record today's show in a state of joyous disbelief, and Branno joins us from Budapest to reflect on the goals, the emotion, the madness. Plus there's the playoff picture, Troy's week and the brilliant post match interviews. Hosted on Acast. See ac…

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The Anglo-Irish Agreement (Part Two): ‘Ulster Says No’ - mass protests erupt over ‘evil document’ 22:49

2M ago22:49

22:49

Unionists felt that Margaret Thatcher was someone they could trust so when she signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement giving Dublin the right to be consulted over NI, unionists felt utterly betrayed and they were outraged. The UUP leader Jim Molyneax even called it an “an evil document.” Tens of thousands of unionists took to the streets of Belfast, a da…

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Ireland 2-0 Portugal, Tantalising Football, Isak And Zlatan 21:36

2M ago21:36

21:36

We've recorded a lot of podcasts.... but the one we just posted today about all the great moments, all the heroes, all the Ronaldo comedy and all the joy of beating Portugal 2-0 is maybe our favourite ever. Our best of show includes a taste of that joy, plus some Ken education and a great chat about Swedish football, Zlatan and Isak. On Sunday we w…

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The Anglo-Irish Agreement (Part One): Why did Thatcher give Dublin a role in NI? 30:12

2M ago30:12

30:12

The Hunger Strikes had led to a surge in support for Republicanism and in October 1984, Margaret Thatcher herself, narrowly escaped death in the Brighton bombing. Her intelligence chiefs were clear; they weren’t going to defeat the IRA by purely military and security means – she decided something had to be done. Meanwhile in Dublin, fears over the …