It seems like the world and his wife has a podcast these days - which makes it all the more difficult to decide what's actually worth listening to.
Like everything else cultural these days, Irish podcasters are doing great things - so here are a few of the best ones right now.
Irish comedian David O’Doherty teams up with TV and radio presenter Max Rushden for this simple but effective premise: the pair either discuss what they themselves did yesterday, or invite a well-known name (previous guests include actor/comedian Joe Wilkinson, actress Natalie Cassidy and author/TV presenter Richard Osman) to do the same. There is hilarity in mundanity.
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Comedic chemistry cannot be underestimated when it comes to podcasts. Thankfully, Irish comics Kevin McGahern and Justine Stafford share a similar quick-witted sense of humour that makes their banter on their "an ill-informed bed of rambling nonsense to accompany you on a long drive or a particularly difficult load of laundry" a joy to eavesdrop on.
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This hugely successful podcast has spawned live shows and a dedicated international fanbase. Hosts Sophie White, Jen O’Dwyer and Cassie Delaney delve into the weird, unsettling stories that are often stranger than fiction but nevertheless fascinating - from wild conspiracy theories to bizarre tales of murder and mayhem.
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If you enjoyed Mark Horgan’s previous pod Where is George Gibney?, Stakeknife is equally compelling. It delves into the story of double agent Freddie Scappaticci, a senior member of the IRA who was also a British spy tasked with finding and killing IRA informers. Told from the perspective of two children whose father was shot dead after being accused of being an informant, it’s a powerful listen.
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Most people will be familiar with the baffling story of Jón Jónsson, the Icelandic tourist who vanished without a trace while on a trip to Dublin in 2019. This excellent podcast not only goes into forensic detail on Jón’s unexplained disappearance, but also gives a well-rounded sense of him as a person through speaking to his friends and family members.
There’s every chance you might have attended a Seanchoíche event, considering the storytelling night has been an international hit. This pod invites two people (including several well-known names) to each share stories from their own lives that are then read by the other person. A novel way of storytelling.
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You may be familiar with the name Carrie Jade, particularly since it’s cropped up in news headlines recently - but how much of her story are you familiar with? The pseudonym of serial fraudster Samantha Cookes, who deceived countless people across Ireland, this true crime pod from last year is a great primer for an often unbelievable story.
If you’re a fan of storytelling podcasts, this might be up your street. This enjoyable fictional period drama, set in Victorian Dublin, sees an Italian criminologist and an English military commander investigating a disturbing murder in the Phoenix Park which may have links to the occult. A good old-fashioned yarn.
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Unfortunately, the changing face of media means that there are fewer opportunities than ever for up-and-coming Irish artists to have their music heard via traditional outlets. Cork podcaster Eoghan O’Sullivan’s long-running TPOE podcast flies the flag for independent artists, with interviews, news and plenty of music in the mix.
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Death and grief are inevitable parts of life, but they are topics that many people understandably shy away from. This powerful podcast, hosted by Kathie Stritch, prises open the taboo subject by speaking to various people about their experiences of grief, making for a cathartic, educational and often very moving listen.
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