PodcastsMusicThe Ballad Lounge Podcast

The Ballad Lounge Podcast

Rory Makem; Máirtín de Cógáin
The Ballad Lounge Podcast
Latest episode

16 episodes

  • The Ballad Lounge Podcast

    An interview with Gerry Timlin of Co. Tyrone.

    17/03/2026 | 1h 7 mins.
    The life and times of one of the balladeers who blazed the trail in America for the rest of us to follow. We tried to have the interview live on the Joanie Madden FOlk 'n' Irish Cruise but the file didn't survive the journey and so we did it again. Grab a cúpán tae, sit back, and get to know Gerry.
    http://www.gerrytimlin.com
    https://www.facebook.com/gerry.timlin/
  • The Ballad Lounge Podcast

    A lovely chat with the Roscommon rambler Cathy Jordan of Dervish

    25/02/2026 | 45 mins.
    This week we have a rare interview with the Roscommon rambler Cathy Jordan. A voice full of colour and warmth and a life story that is worth a book in itself.  Rory & Máirtín caught up with the Dervish singer on the Joanie Madden Folk ‘n’ Irish cruise down in the warm waters of Belize in a quietish corner of the Solo lounge.  It’s a very busy time for her as Dervish are currently airing their new PBS special and Cathy herself is touring the Cranky Island Song Project around the world. 
    Grab a cúpán tae, sit back, and enjoy the chat.
  • The Ballad Lounge Podcast

    Rebel Songs, Part 5: God Save Ireland

    19/02/2026 | 30 mins.
    This week we look into the well known Rebel song, "God Save Ireland,' by T.D. Sullivan. A song that became the unoffical Irish National Anthem for a many years.
    The Smashing of the Van and the subsequent public executions gave rise for a new push for Irish Independence and may have been the final act to get Ireland to reach for revolution on home soil.
    The German phiosopher Friedrich Engels said after the hanging of Allen, Larkin & O'Brien in Manchester, 'So yesterday morning the Tories, by the hand of Mr. Colcraft, accomplished the final act of separation between England and Ireland. The only thing that the Fenians still lacked were martyrs.'
    Get a cúpán tae and sit back with Rory & Máirtín, this is a big story to be told.
  • The Ballad Lounge Podcast

    Rebel Songs, Part 4: Song from the Backwoods

    11/02/2026 | 36 mins.
    Song from the Backwoods, a.k.a. Ireland Boys Hurrah!, a.k.a. Dear Old Ireland!
    This week Rory & Máirtín venture off to invade Canada 🇨🇦 with the Fenian Brotherhood. 
    T.D. Sullivan’s 19th century ballad brings up the memory of the idea to take Canada and offer to trade to her back to England for the freedom of Ireland. A wild episode in Irish history. 
    June 1866 was the first time the Tri Colour was raised in battle to claim victory and land at Fort Erie across the river from Buffalo New York.
  • The Ballad Lounge Podcast

    The Holly Bears a Berry - A Christmas Ballad

    18/12/2025 | 39 mins.
    Welcome to "The Ballad Lounge" with your hosts, Máirtín de Cógáin and Rory Makem. Pull up a cozy chair, pour yourself a warm cup of cheer, and join us as we dive into the heart of the holiday season. Today, we're sharing our cherished Christmas traditions- stories wrapped in the warmth of family, festivity, and folklore. Plus, we'll be exploring the timeless charm of the song 'The Holly Bears a Berry," uncovering its rich history and melodic beauty. So, settle in and let the spirit of the season carry you through this special episode.

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About The Ballad Lounge Podcast

The Ballad Lounge Podcast Join Rory Makem & Máirtín de Cógáin, your hosts, lyric lovers and part time history buffs, on a captivating journey through the ages of song! Get involved as we delve into the rich tapestry of a single ballad, exploring its origins, transformations, and cultural significance. But this isn't just a history lesson – it's an exploration of the human spirit as expressed through music. Each episode, Rory & Máirtín brings to life the captivating story behind the ballad: Where did it come from? What events or figures inspired it? The voices that made it famous!
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