How to be Irish

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In this episode, I chat with Regina Sexton, Ireland’s leading food and culinary historian, all about the history of Irish food.
We chat about:
Irish heritage dishes and the reason why we don’t seem to have as many as other nations

why our cuisine is perceived as bland

what we used to eat both pre- and post-famine

how the famine may have affected our eating habits and our relationship with food as a people

how, what and why we farmed

alcohol through the ages in Irish society

As well as some interesting tales about iconic Irish food brands such as Tayto and Jacob’s!

Thank you for your support this season. Please help me out by donating the price of a coffee to help me cover the cost of the software and hardware I need to create this podcast.
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In this episode, Úna Harty interviews Gemma McSherry, a journalist, author and content creator from the North of Ireland.
They discuss Gemma's upbringing in a divided society, her experiences with fundamentalist religion, and the cultural phenomenon of 'coffee shop Christians.'
Gemma shares insights from her forthcoming book, which reflects on growing up in a conservative small town in the North.
The conversation also touches on the complexities of Irish identity, the potential for a united Ireland, and the challenges faced by women in Irish society.
Gemma emphasises the importance of unapologetic self-expression and the need for solidarity in discussions about reunification.

This is essential listening for anyone looking to understand what it is like to be from a small town in the North of Ireland / Northern Ireland.

GEMMA MCSHERRY
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodwillcxunting?lang=en-GB
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodwillcxunting/

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In this episode, Úna speaks with Leon Diop, about his experiences of growing up in Tallaght as a mixed race.

We cover race, ethnicity, family dynamics and class in this emotional conversation where Leon shares the difficulties he faced during his childhood and teenage years, and how he turned his life around, all while grappling with his mixed race identity.

We discuss:
Racism in Ireland

His relationship with his Senegalese father

Cultural and religious differences

How fear is the greatest motivator

Why we should be hopeful

Find Leon’s book ‘Mixed Up: An Irish Boy’s Journey to Belonging’ in all good bookstores in Ireland, including Books Upstairs and Dubray Books in Dublin. You can also order it directly from the publisher, Little Island.

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In this lighter episode of How to be Irish Úna welcomes freelance journalist Kate Demolder to explore iconic moments in Irish pop culture from the 1980s to today, and how they shape Irishness and what it means to be Irish.
From the bold actions of Virgin Megastore in the '80s to the unforgettable Sinead O'Connor moment on SNL, and the rise of Irish talent in the 2020s, Úna and Kate delve into the stories that have shaped Ireland's cultural landscape.
Tune in for a mix of humour, history, and heartfelt discussion on what it means to be Irish.

Independents, referendums, the single transferable vote - a few of the idiosyncrasies of the Irish political system that we sometimes take for granted.

This week I chat to Professor in the Department of the Government and Politics in UCC, Dr Theresa Reidy, about the unique aspects of the Irish political landscape. Theresa is an expert in how Irish people cast their votes in elections and referendums.

We'll cover:
- The recent presidential election
- Spoiled votes
- Declining voter turnout
- Referendums and civic engagement
- Independent candidates and how they fracture politics
- The community-based, regional flavour of Irish politics

Leave a comment to let me know what you thought of the episode!