10 more Irish podcasts you need to hear

Whatever your mood, taste or preference, there’s a podcast for it. Thankfully, there are also a huge number of talented Irish podcasters, too – which means that you don’t have to go trawling the web to find stories told in familiar voices.

To help narrow it down, we’ve chosen another ten great Irish podcasts that you need to hear right now – while you’re at it, revisit our first list here.

1. The Cinemile

Who doesn’t enjoy a post-film discussion? This long-running podcast celebrates its milestone 10th birthday this year and it still sounds as good as ever – mostly because it’s a simple concept, executed brilliantly. Husband and wife Dave Corkery and Cathy Cullen began The Cinemile in 2016 when they began recording their chats leaving the cinema (these days, you can expect their friends and family to join them), offering insightful tidbits and smart takes that feel like you’re eavesdropping on two ordinary pals who simply love movies. And with episodes running at less than 20 minutes long, it never outstays its welcome.

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2. Petrified

Strange happenings at a Halloween party? A psychic reading that goes terribly wrong? Petrified proves that the Irish can do horror podcasts as well as anyone else. The brainchild of writer Peter Dunne and producer Liam Geraghty, the horror anthology series “tells the chilling tales of ordinary people encountering the supernatural, and their terrifying fates.” With well-written stories and top-notch production values, it’s little wonder that they’ve landed two big names as guest stars of their forthcoming fourth series, which debuts on February 18th: American actors David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil, Murderbot) and Dylan Baker (The Good Wife, Homeland).

3. Red Room

True crime continues to be big business in the podcasting world, and Red Room, hosted by Jenny Claffey, is one of the most intriguing. Claffey presents some stomach-churning, eerie and downright baffling true life stories of crime, conspiracy and unsolved mysteries, most of them from Irish history (recent episodes include the murder of Tina Satchwell and the disappearance of schoolboy Philip Cairns), as well as delving further into Ireland’s dark history with episodes on the Irish Witch Trials and nefarious figures from Irish folklore. A succinct and always interesting listen.

4. The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy

He may no longer be a fixture on Irish airwaves, but Ryan Tubridy’s latest side hustle as a podcaster is going from strength to strength. On The Bookshelf, the talented broadcaster draws out some fascinating stories from well-known names (guests have included actor Hugh Bonneville, author Colm Tóibín and musician David Gray) as they discuss three meaningful books from their lives: their favourite book as a child, a book that brought them joy and one that changed their life. The new season lands on April 16th.

5. The Tommy, Hector and Laurita Podcast

They’re baaaaack! Praise the lord. After a lengthy hiatus, Tommy Tiernan, Hector Ó hEochagáin and Laurita Blewitt returned to the THL podcast late last year, with a series of live shows recorded in Galway. Turns out they’re just as hilarious in front of an audience as they are in the Hen House, the makeshift studio they began recording in during the Covid pandemic. Listening to these three friends shoot the breeze, take the mick out of each other and regale some hilarious stories (like Hector’s ‘Red Daddy’ story – IYKYK) makes this one of the most listenable pods out there. Never leave us again, guys.

6. Nialler9

Niall Byrne has been one of the Irish music scene’s most enduring tastemakers over the last twenty years or so. This podcast accompanies his essential website, and has now clocked up over 300 episodes, offering listeners a variety of longform interviews (the recent one with rapper Denise Chaila was especially illuminating), as well as in-depth discussions on albums including Jeff Buckley’s Grace and My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless.

7. Three Castles Burning

History geeks, this one is for you. Historian Donal Fallon has previously documented his love of Dublin in the written word, but his podcast – which launched in 2019 – is a must-listen for those who want to know more about the Irish capital and its social history. Alongside some fascinating guests and experts, recent highlights include episodes about Charles Dickens’ visits to Dublin, an artistic exploration of Parnell Square and a look at the Guinness family empire.

8. Joanne McNally Investigates

Joanne McNally has become one of Ireland’s best-known comedians in recent years, and is of course known for her hit podcast with best bud Vogue Williams (My Therapist Ghosted Me). Her Joanne McNally Investigates podcast, in which she explores a conspiracy theory in a firmly tongue-in-cheek manner, is also well worth a listen. In series one, she examines the theory that Avril Lavigne was replaced by a body double in 2003, even travelling to the Canadian pop star’s hometown to talk to locals; in series two, she probes the theory that Furbies were accused of spying on us. McNally treads a line between the surreal and the bizarre with a sense of healthy (and comical) cynicism; give us a third series stat, please.

9. Young Hot Guys

Three of Ireland’s best young comedians – Shane Daniel Byrne, Tony Cantwell and Killian Sundermann – combine their talents, their friendship and their ability to talk nonsense yet make it hilarious on Young Hot Guys. The trio all made their names via online sketches that went viral during the pandemic. With their talents combined, however, they’ve woven their collective chemistry into a podcast that is eminently listenable – whether they’re riffing on their own lives, their careers, or their hot takes on cultural events. You will laugh out loud.

10. Documentary on One Podcast

No matter what your interest is, this fantastic podcast will have a story for you within its 1800 episode strong archives. Some of the best recent standalone episodes include the fascinating Jamaica Daly, in which Irish woman Meg Daly unearths her family’s shameful link to slavery in Jamaica, while older podcasts like Bob Marley in the Park tell the story of the reggae legend’s visit to Dublin, and The Common Thread documents the history of the bra in Ireland (yes, really). Series like First Conviction, Where is Jón? and Stolen Sister are also essential listening.

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Lauren Murphy is the host of pop culture podcast Get Around To It

10 more Irish podcasts you need to hear

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