Best Joe Brolly Podcasts (2025)

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How Ben Dunne bought and sold Ireland 44:45

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10h ago44:45

44:45

‘Thanks a million, big fella.’ Charlie Haughey’s words to Ben Dunne summed up how Ireland worked for many. But who was Ben Dunne and what were the compulsions that drove him? On Free State today Matt Cooper talks about his gripping new book Dynasty about the Dunnes family. It looks at how Ben Dunne Senior built an empire and how Ben Jr never recove…

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The Legend of the Monday Club 40:50

1d ago40:50

40:50

What is the difference between nostalgia and lamenting the loss of something special? Have we become a society that places too much emphasis on propriety at the expense of the unpredictability that makes life worth living. As Joe and Dion reflect on Monday Clubs they’ve belonged from Mayo to Kilburn, they look at the lives of the great hellraisers.…

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Ciaran Whelan in studio | Summers in Dublin, channelling Hill 16, the stark reality of missing out on Sam Maguire 1:02:53

3d ago1:02:53

1:02:53

Dublin football legend Ciaran Whelan joins Joe in studio to chat about his memorable life and times. A self-acknowledged 'Dublin Inbetweener' who missed out on All-Ireland glory during his time in blue, he relives the emotions of watching his former teammates end a 16-year wait for Sam Maguire, the indelible marks of near misses which predated 2011…

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How Trump & Israel made the BBC great again 39:54

41m ago39:54

39:54

Donald Trump is threatening to sue the BBC for a billion dollars. On Free State today we ask what is driving this campaign against the BBC? Many studies have concluded that there is a pro Israeli bias at the BBC, but the report that led to the resignation of the director general alleged the opposite. Why has that led to such upheaval when so many s…

1
‘I know a lot of people think Nigel Farage is an extremist. I don’t’ 1:06:44

1h ago1:06:44

1:06:44

Iain Dale knows he is walking on perilous terrain. Dale is one of Britain’s best known broadcasters and podcasters but his new book is about Ireland, specifically Irish Taoisigh. On Free State today Iain Dale has an animated conversation about what has gone wrong in England and the dangers of nationalism. Yet he argues that he doesn’t believe Nigel…

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Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York. Why is corporate America so terrified of a 34 year old Muslim? 33:45

13h ago33:45

33:45

In numbers not seen for half a century, New Yorkers went out and voted for Zohran Mamdani as their new mayor. Mamdani becomes New York’s first Muslim mayor. He came to America at the age of seven and he has created a sense of the possible that was once at the heart of the American condition. On Free State today we ask how did Zohran Mamdani do it? …

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The All Stars panel | How the voting works, the debate in the room & biggest snubs 49:45

6d ago49:45

49:45

Joe is joined by Martin Breheny and Michael Verney as they pull back the curtain on what it is like to be on the GAA All Stars committee. Martin explains why he resigned from the voting panel and didn't return for 14 years while Michael goes through what the debates will be like in the room this week and how the voting process works. Joe also asks …

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Mullane's Monday club memories | The All-Star Late Late party | Loughrea All-Ireland favourites? 52:11

11d ago52:11

52:11

On this week’s edition of Indo GAA John Mullane joins Michael to chat through the movers and shakers from the hurling club championship, recall memories from ‘Monday Clubs’ and All Star trips and discuss potential favourites for the All Ireland. The lads also dive into their picks for Young Hurler of The Year, Player of The Year and Team of the Yea…

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Simon Harris, Elon Musk & the Stranger Danger Delusion 53:27

3d ago53:27

53:27

On Halloween night, a fire broke out an IPAS centre in Drogheda. Four children, including a 20-day-old baby, were among those rescued from the top floor of the building. The next morning the Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan condemned the attack and said that fireworks had been thrown into the building. There were no fireworks, CCTV footage showed a…

1
Learning to cross the road. A life ruined by Opus Dei 1:01:50

6d ago1:01:50

1:01:50

On the day of the All Ireland football final in 1978, Anne Marie Allen believed she was beginning the life she dreamed of. She was 15 years old and wanted to be a chef. When two visitors came to her house promising a catering course and a job, it seemed like too good to be true. It was. For the next seven years she entered into the secretive world …

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DJ Carey - The rise and fall of hurling’s first superstar 45:09

14d ago45:09

45:09

DJ Carey’s sentencing hearing was postponed until Friday. In July, Carey had pleaded guilty to defrauding 13 people. On Free State today, Joe and Dion look at the rise and fall of hurling’s first superstar. They examine the drive and determination that took DJ to the top and the restlessness that was always part of his personality as well. Joe talk…

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Spillane’s Messi & Clifford comparisons, O’Connor’s Donaghy appointment a masterstroke? 40:39

17d ago40:39

40:39

Pat Spillane joins Michael for this week’s Indo GAA, discussing all the latest from the club championship - from Dingle’s big win, to the Grimley brothers’ double success and everything in between. They also chat through Kieran Donaghy’s appointment to the Kerry backroom team, and why that might be a master stroke from Jack O'Connor - as well as th…

1
How racism became respectable. 41:50

10d ago41:50

41:50

When the shadow Home Secretary Robert Jenrick visited Handsworth in Birmingham he complained about ‘not seeing another white face’. Many were angered by his comments, but what do they tell us about how the mainstream has absorbed extremist postions? On Free State today we consider how racism has become respectable. What is happening in the U.K. and…

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Accidental Villain or State Sanctioned Murderer? The story of Sir Hugh Tudor 41:11

13d ago41:11

41:11

When Winston Churchill wanted someone to deal with the problems in Ireland, he turned to his old friend Sir Hugh Tudor. Tudor went to Ireland unable to grasp the complexity of the situation. He was described as “a man of no balance, knowledge or judgment and therefore a deplorable selection for his present post”. On Free State today we talk to Lind…

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Maccabi Tel Aviv - the most misunderstood football hooligans in the world 45:16

24d ago45:16

45:16

When Birmingham City Council announced that they would ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the football match against Aston Villa next month, Keir Starmer was quick to react. Not as quick as Kemi Badenoch or Nigel Farage, but Starmer was soon promising that he would be doing everything in his power to overturn the ban. On Free State today we l…

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A flight, a fry and an unforgettable celebration | 30 years on from Clare’s 95’ All-Ireland victory | Tony Considine 44:33

26d ago44:33

44:33

On this week’s Indo GAA, Michael was joined by Tony Considine - a key member of the management team during Clare’s 1995 All Ireland hurling final victory. 30 years on, Tony recalls his memories of that magic season alongside Ger Loughnane and Mike McNamara, diving into how the group built up to the big day in Croke Park versus Offaly. They also dis…

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Michael Lewis & the lion on the pitch 1:21:44

17d ago1:21:44

1:21:44

The great Michael Lewis is one of our favourite ever guests on Free State. On an October morning at the end of a long book tour, he asked us to talk about anything at all, not just his latest book. In this timeless piece he talks about life, love, loss, and the pain of losing his daughter Dixie in a car crash. (Originally aired in two parts - Octob…

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A Time to Mourn and A Time to Dance 38:47

20d ago38:47

38:47

In 2012, while swimming in the Galapagos Islands, Delphine Kelly suffered an aortic aneurysm and drowned. On Free State today, Julia Kelly talks about her extraordinary memoir Still which is a conversation to her mother, built around the cold and austere language of the post mortem. She talks about her troubled relationship with her father the Fine…

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Donald Trump, The Last Emperor 30:12

24d ago30:12

30:12

Is Donald Trump right for once? Is this the deal to end all deals? And could anyone else have pulled it off? On Free State today, Donald Trump’s role as the last American emperor is examined. Is his Gaza peace deal an example of how his ego and self interest drive people to achieve things normal politicians couldn’t? Is this his great legacy or wil…

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What it’s really like to be a GAA coach | Behind the scenes insights from 20 years on the line | Cian O'Neill 54:05

1M ago54:05

54:05

Head of Sport, Leisure & Childhood Studies at MTU Cork, Cian O'Neill, joins Michael on this week's edition of the Indo GAA podcast - exploring the “all consuming” nature of elite level coaching and management in gaelic games, and discussing an ongoing study in relation to the topic. He also dives into what it's like to work alongside Jack O'Connor …

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Mise Éire with Ian Óg Paisley (just don’t mention bilingual signs) 30:35

27d ago30:35

30:35

Ian Paisley Jr says he might be open to persuasive arguments over a United Ireland. The DUP says it is not interested in engaging or being persuaded on ‘the so called merits’ of a United Ireland. On Free State today, we ask what does this tell us about the worthy concept of reconciliation and is it now effectively a unionist veto on a United Irelan…

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Let’s call the presidential election off. feat Maria Steen, Lara Trump... but not Jim Gavin 41:33

1M ago41:33

41:33

Is there any point to the presidential election anymore? Maria Steen who failed to get on the ballot has called for the presidential election to be cancelled and run again following Jim Gavin’s withdrawal. On Free State today, we ask why Maria thinks democracy has failed? Joe and Dion disagree on her chances of getting elected if she’d been a candi…

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John Meyler | Hurling For Tim fundraiser | Cork hurling's big reset | Patrick Horgan's legacy 47:44

1M ago47:44

47:44

Former Cork manager John Meyler joins Michael for this week's edition of the Indo GAA podcast, ahead of a fundraiser for his former Kilmoyley starlet Tim O’Brien. Tim's life changed forever after a road accident in 2010 left him paralysed from the neck down at just 18. A talented underage hurler, Tim has faced unimaginable challenges with courage a…

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How Jim Gavin came undone in the Nasty Rose of Tralee 46:25

1M ago46:25

46:25

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Marc Ó Sé in studio | Life with Kerry, Páidí memories, playing with Darragh & Tomás 50:41

1M ago50:41

50:41

Joe is joined in studio by Kerry legend Marc Ó Sé to discuss his new book reflecting on his family's 40 years of service to Kerry football. Marc chats to Joe about growing up with Darragh and Tomás and playing for his uncle Páidi. His tense relationship with Jack O'Connor and where David Clifford ranks among Kerry greats is on the menu too. Our GAA…

1
Run Zohran Run - How Zohran Mamdani will become mayor of New York and why he terrifies the establishment 43:56

1M ago43:56

43:56

In January 2025, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist, running for mayor of New York had an eight per cent chance of winning the race. Today, he has an 83 per cent chance and Donald Trump calls him a “100 per cent communist lunatic. The story of how Mamdani has defied not only the odds but the establishment is a story of how many are rejecting …

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Catherine Connolly: ‘Tony Blair has committed war crimes’ 1:06:05

1M ago1:06:05

1:06:05

Where did Catherine Connolly’s belief in social justice come from? If she is elected president, how will she use the presidency to advance those beliefs? On a Free State special, Catherine Connolly talks to Dion and Joe about the truth about her presidential bid. She explains why her comments about Hamas only reflected the reality of life for peopl…

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Why do Donegal get more All-Star nominations than Kerry? | The amazing club players who fly home | Pat Spillane 41:10

2M ago41:10

41:10

Pat Spillane joins Niall McIntyre after a weekend where Croke Park was alive in September - but for another code. Spillane also remembers his first All-Ireland win in 1975, talks about his admiration for Offaly and its sportstars and asks why Donegal has more players on the All-Star nominations than Kerry. Our GAA Podcast coverage is with thanks to…

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The Freedom Flotilla - Sailing serenely on dangerous tides. 31:00

1M ago31:00

31:00

The Freedom Flotilla is reaching a critical point in its journey to Gaza. In the next 24 hours, those aboard the 50 ships will reach what is believed to be the danger zone for interception by the Israelis. Nobody knows what will happen next. On Free State today, Joe and Dion talk to Caoimhe Butterly, one of those on one of the ships in the flotilla…

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The Hot-Red Forge of Life: David Trimble from Sectarian to Nobel Peace Prize 54:18

1M ago54:18

54:18

“He wasn’t the kind of person who ever greeted you,” Ireland’s former president Mary McAleese says of David Trimble, who was a law student at Queen’s University when Trimble was a lecturer. But on this day he did. He was seeking people out and telling them it was a “wonderful day”. The day was the Monday after Bloody Sunday and McAleese believed sh…

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Sportwashing US Imperialism: The great Dave Zirin on the NFL in Ireland, Charlie Kirk and Kneecap 56:00

2M ago56:00

56:00

When Dave Zirin flew home to America last week, as a precaution he wrote the telephone numbers of a lawyer and an Irish politician on his arm. He had been away for only a week but a week is a long time in an authoritarian state. While he had been gone, JD Vance had declared an article about Charlie Kirk’s death in The Nation, the magazine Dave work…

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Kilkenny sends message with Henry Shefflin hire | The GPA need to push Croke Park harder | John Mullane 39:26

2M ago39:26

39:26

Niall McIntyre is in the presenter’s seat this week as John Mullane joins to break down some major talking points from the hurling world as Henry Shefflin returns to Kilkenny as under-20s boss. The lads also break down the GPA’s request for better player support, and ask if integration will be as expensive as they say. First, producer Shane Brennan…

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Heather Humphreys, Jim Gavin’s white trousers and the sash my husband didn’t wear 44:50

2M ago44:50

44:50

When Mary Lou McDonald announced a ‘game changing’ candidate many eyes looked to Joe Brolly. But was he ever in the running and would Dion have voted for him? On Free State today, Dion and Joe look at what Sinn Féin’s backing of Catherine Connolly means for the presidential campaign. They also wonder if Jim Gavin can redeem himself after farmgate a…

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Never too old - Finding Ireland, and yourself, in hurling 54:53

2M ago54:53

54:53

What happens when a man tries to take up hurling at 41? What does he learn about himself and Ireland’s relationship with its fabled national game. On Free State today, Second Captains co-host Ciaran Murphy tells us what he learned about Ireland when he joined his father’s old club in West Waterford. Are the obstacles to more people playing hurling …

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Leo Varadkar, United Irishman. 59:35

2M ago59:35

59:35

At the age of 45, Leo Varadkar decided to resign as Taoiseach. Many people wondered why. In an extraordinarily frank interview on Free State today, Leo Varadkar talks about how finding peace in his personal life dulled his political ambition. He speaks about his failings as a politician and a man. He explains why he believes in a united Ireland but…

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There's a problem with Dublin’s coaching team | Dying clubs a canary in the coal mine for rural Ireland | Pat Spillane 52:07

2M ago52:07

52:07

Pat Spillane is back and ready to rock with his views on Ger Brennan’s backroom team, the Kerry club structure and the need for more focus on the West of Ireland, and why central plans have yet to bear fruit. First, Niall McIntyre joins Conan to reflect on the controversies erupting across the club scene. Our GAA Podcast coverage is with thanks to …

1
Charlie Kirk: The Death of an American Hero 51:52

2M ago51:52

51:52

Who was Charlie Kirk and what had he got to do with Ireland? On a heated episode of Free State, Dion and Joe argue about how to respond to the murder of Charlie Kirk. Is it right simply to commiserate or do the ideas he advanced need to be challenged? They look at the rise of Kirk and how the MAGA movement has reacted to his killing. Do people who …

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The Ascent of Man: How Diarmuid Lyng made sense of the world 1:12:24

2M ago1:12:24

1:12:24

Diarmuid Lyng led the life many believe is the dream. But it wasn’t his dream. On Free State today he talks about how there has to be another way. How there has to be a version of ourselves outside the consumer western narrative that occupies so much of our lives. He explains what he is hoping to achieve with Wild Irish Retreats. And why the answer…

1
Our Man in Washington: Niall Stanage on Epstein, Trump and Down football 1:04:42

2M ago1:04:42

1:04:42

What is it like to cover the Donald Trump White House? How should the media engage with the presidency in a time of crisis? On Free State today, Niall Stanage talks to Joe and Dion about his time in America speaking truth to power. He recalls his encounters with the Biden official John Kirby over Gaza. Has the deferential nature of the media in Ame…

1
The Club Pod: Will Stephen Cluxton silently retire? | Drama at Páirc Uí Chinnéide 23:48

2M ago23:48

23:48

Michael Verney and Niall McIntyre recap all the latest news from the club championship, in both hurling and football terms. The duo chat through how the respective competitions are heating up across the country and how intercounty stars like Conor McManus and Tony Kelly continue to shine on the club scene. They also dive into the drama that unfolde…

1
Ballygunner v Ballygunner final a possibility soon? | Farewell to Eddie Brennan | A clean out at Cork? | John Mullane 33:43

2M ago33:43

33:43

John Mullane joins Michael Verney to shed light on the lay of the land in the hurling world as things stand, from the club championship to movement in the intercounty management scene. The pair discuss Ballygunner’s dominance in Waterford and how The Déise’s county team have their ‘Duck’s in a row with the appointment of Donal O’ Rourke to their ba…

1
FBI Informant-The Shocking Truth about Donald J Trump 45:20

2M ago45:20

45:20

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson declared last week that Donald Trump had been an FBI informant working to take down Jeffrey Epstein. He subsequently said he might have got it wrong. In Britain Reform had their party conference with the BBC’s political editor gushing about the ‘insurgency vibe’. On Free State, Joe and Dion a…

1
Colm Parkinson in studio | Never shirking conflict, the issue with GAA coverage, making his mark in media 🏐 1:16:23

2M ago1:16:23

1:16:23

Colm Parkinson joins Conan in studio for a wide-ranging chat about the unique journey he undertook to become one of the GAA's most high-profile & outspoken voices. From precocious early days as an underage starlet with Laois, through a tumultuous senior career, as well as the flight risks & fallouts which followed. We also delve into his rollercoas…

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Four Green Fields: The Climate Crisis, Culture Wars and Myths 55:54

2M ago55:54

55:54

Ireland is a rural country. We believe that the values that sustain us are values that have been shaped by our struggle for land and our struggles on the land. But as the climate emergency reaches a point of no return, how damaging have these foundational myths about Ireland been? On Free State today John Gibbons talks about Ireland’s failure in ta…

1
The Age of Deportation-How England’s political class embraced the hate movement 47:55

2M ago47:55

47:55

When Nigel Farage arrived in Washington this week, a US congressman Jamie Raskin spoke the truth about this snake oil salesman. In Britain the worst of Farage’s impulses are now indulged. On Free State today, Dion and Joe look at what the writer Tanjil Rashid has called ‘the age of deportation’. How have countries slipped closer to the authoritaria…

1
The Club Pod: The 'Paudenka' stuns in Kerry | Electric Picnic team bonding 20:43

2M ago20:43

20:43

Michael Verney and Niall McIntyre team up for another club game update, eith Niall coming fresh from EP and the lads still in awe at Paudie Clifford's magic goal. GAA podcast coverage is brought to you by AIB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Irish Independent

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Pat Spillane | 'Jim Gavin would make a great Taoiseach' | Jack O'Connor's shot at history | The Cliffords' latest divine intervention 36:26

2M ago36:26

36:26

Pat Spillane joins Michael Verney to give his appraisal of Jack O'Connor's extended stay in the Kerry hotseat, as the Kingdom's bid for a 40th Sam Maguire title begins in earnest. He also reflects on some eye-catching club action, not least the latest raft of wizardry from the Clifford brothers, and suggests that Jim Gavin's Áras pursuit should be …

1
Jim Gavin for President 43:53

2M ago43:53

43:53

Why does Jim Gavin want to be president? What does a man in the prime of his life with a record of success and achievement gain from going to the Aras? On Free State today Joe explains what makes his friend Jim Gavin tick. He explains his gift of leadership and how he serves his ego by giving power to others. Dion offers a reason that a Jim Gavin p…

1
The Fantasy Land of England’s far right - The great David Goldblatt on what football tells us about U.K. society 1:07:56

3M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

Last Monday night, Newcastle United played Liverpool in a game which told the story of the Premier League. One club is owned by Saudi Arabia, the other belongs to an American multisports holding conglomerate.It was played at St James’ Park in front of 50,000 frothing Newcastle supporters who were enraged that their best player had gone on strike be…

1
Shaun Patton | Donegal's All-Ireland Final heartache, his unique GAA journey, the art of goalkeeping 🏐 37:08

3M ago37:08

37:08

Shaun Patton joins Conan to reflect on Donegal's run to the All-Ireland Final, and the in-camp reaction to their Final defeat to Kerry. Shaun also delves into his unique trajectory to the top of the intercounty game, the significance of his soccer background, and the interwoven art of goalkeeping across both sports. See omnystudio.com/listener for …