James Hennan is a Local Historian and OPW Tour Guide at Portunma Castle in county Galway. In this episode, myself and James sit down to discuss the importance of local history. James also tells us about the history of his locality, Lorrha, a on

Aidan Harte, The Púca of Ennistymon

Jul 28th, 2021 1h 5m

Aidan Harte is the man behind the now famous or perhaps notorious Púca of Ennistymon. In this episode, we sit down to discuss the furore around the Púca. Before that, however, we hear about his work as a sculptor, and his fascination with Irish

Olivia Feehan, Irish Attitudes Towards Mental Health

Jul 14th, 2021 55m 59s

The topic of mental health has long been a taboo a subject in Irish society, particularly, in rural communities. Yet, in recent years attitudes have begun to change and this has sparked an acceptance and willingness to talk about mental health

Tina Claffey, From Botswana to the Bog (Part 2)

Jun 30th, 2021 37m 55s

In part two, Tina tells us about her reluctant return to Ireland from the wildernesses of Botswana only to find another wilderness on her own doorstep, namely the boglands of Ireland . Donate: https://www.thehutnearthebog.com/donateStore: https

Tina Claffey, From Birr to Botswana (Part 1)

Jun 29th, 2021 35m 59s

Tina Claffey is the preeminent photographer of the Irish boglands. In this first part of two interviews, she tells us how she ended up working as a nature photographer in the pristine wilderness of the African nation of Botswana and how this p

Joy Connolly - Spiritual Medium

Jun 15th, 2021 46m 18s

Since ancient times many in Ireland believe that the veil between the physical world and the spiritual world becomes thinnest at certain times of year or when in the presence of certain places or people. This was most certainly the case when m

Dawn Chorus - 02 May 2021

May 2nd, 2021 37m 59s

Reconnect with nature or take some time for reflection and meditation with this Dawn Chorus episode. Recorded at The Hut Near The Bog on International Dawn Chorus Day (02 May 2021). See more at: https://www.thehutnearthebog.com/ Hosted on Acast

Bealtaine with Dara Molloy

Apr 30th, 2021 42m 31s

The end of April/Start of May marks the ancient Celtic festival of Bealtaine. In this episode Sheila speaks with Celtic Priest – Dara Molloy – to discuss the origins of Bealtaine and its spiritual significance. Dara also tells us how we can cel

Irish Christmas Memories

Dec 21st, 2020 1h 9m

In this Christmas special episode Sheila and James are joined by 7 guests – the first born in 1936 and the last born 2015 - to discuss their Christmas memories and what makes Christmas special in Ireland. See more at: https://www.thehutneartheb

Dr Craig Jordan-Baker, reflecting on family through the Nacullians

Nov 14th, 2020 1h

Craig Jordan-Baker is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at The University of Brighton. He has published fiction in New Writing, Text, Firefly Magazine, Potluck and in the époque press é-zine.In this, our final episode of season one, Sheila

Dara Molloy, a (Celtic) spiritual guide for our time?

Oct 31st, 2020 1h 21m

Dara Molloy is a truly fascinating individual. Along with the likes of John O’Donohue and John Philip Newell, Molloy is considered to be among one of the few experts on the subject of Celtic Spirituality. In this episode James sits down with Da

Owen Colgan, the philosophy of a Hardy Buck

Oct 17th, 2020 49m 3s

Owen Colgan is the Irish cult comedy hero, best known for his role as Buzz McDonnell in Hardy Bucks. In this episode I sit down with Owen to get to know the man behind the comedy. Owen starts off by telling us how growing up in the West of Irel

Ger Hough, the most creative publican in Ireland

Oct 3rd, 2020 1h 7m

J.J. Houghs Singing Pub in Banagher, Co. Offaly is a legend among Irish pubs. Indeed, it has long held this status due to the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of its owners - the Hough family. From artists to actors to musicians and lectur

Johnny Ziomek, how the man who photographed 9/11 fell in love with Gaelic football [edited interview]

Sep 19th, 2020 25m 53s

In this edited interview Johnny Ziomek tells us how he ended up discovering Gaelic football in South Korea and about the setting up of the Houston Gaels. He also tells how a twist of faith related to one of the most tragic events in modern hist

Johnny Ziomek, an Irish American Gaelic footballer [full interview]

Sep 19th, 2020 43m 2s

In this full (unedited) interview Johnny Ziomek discusses his background as a child actor, photographer, and globe trotter. We hear about his Irish roots and his founding of the Houston Gaels. He also tells us of his experience of 9/11 and the

[Teaser] How the man who photographed 9/11 fell in love with Gaelic football

Sep 11th, 2020 9m 20s

This is an excerpt from our upcoming episode 'How the man who photographed 9/11 fell in love with Gaelic football'. Here our guest Johnny (Ziomek) tells us how he ended being present at and documenting 9/11. See more at: https://www.thehutneart

The Troubles and what it teaches us about forgiveness

Sep 5th, 2020 40m 28s

The Troubles or the 30-year political and sectarian conflict that took place in Northern Ireland was perhaps one of the darkest and bloodiest chapters in Irish history. And yet, there is much we can learn from it, not least about the nature of

Bonus

[Teaser] The Troubles and what it teaches us about forgiveness

Sep 2nd, 2020 6m 44s

The Troubles was perhaps one of the darkest and bloodiest chapters in Irish history. There is much we can learn from it, not least, about the nature of forgiveness. Here we share an excerpt from our upcoming episode dropping this Saturday.See m

Motherhood: the bond, emigration & adoption in Ireland

Aug 22nd, 2020 48m

In Ireland we call our mothers “mammy” or “mam”. The bond with our mammy is unbreakable. Indeed, it is one of the most amazing gifts of life. In this episode we explore this bond through the lens of emigration and adoption in 19th and 20th cent

Bonus

Martin O'Meara VC, an Irish & Australian hero

Aug 8th, 2020 54m 38s

Martin O’Meara was an Irish man, an adopted Australian and hero of the First World War. He was a recipient of the Victoria Cross Medal, the highest honour awarded for gallantry in the face of an enemy that a British & Commonwealth soldier can r

To encourage is to respect

Jul 25th, 2020 46m 3s

In this episode we explore encouragement. Sheila begins by telling us what encouragement is, and why it is so important. We then look at what one might consider to be the basis for encouraging others, namely, respect. Comparing the philosophies

Bonus

Dr Noel Kavanagh, an Irish philosopher

Jul 11th, 2020 57m 58s

In this bonus episode James speaks to the guest editor of the Irish Philosophical Society Journal and Carlow College lecturer Dr Noel Kavanagh. Noel tells us how a packet of peanuts led to his decision to quit his job as a truck driver and inst

Dealing with uncertainty

Jun 27th, 2020 59m 1s

In this episode we discuss how we can better deal with uncertainty. Sheila begins by telling us about her own personal experiences of uncertainty and how she draws on these to inform her work as a life & business coach. We then explore how the

Bonus

Dr John O'Donoghue, a London-Irish writer

Jun 13th, 2020 50m 27s

In this bonus episode James speaks to the award-winning London-Irish author and co-founder of The Wild Geese Press - Dr John O’Donoghue. John explains that his childhood summers spent in rural Monaghan provided the inspiration for his latest bo