https://tortoiseshack.ie/feed/podcast/

Journalist Eoghan Gilmartin and Professor Joe Haslam are back to talk Pedro Sanchez, Spains economic miracle, Catalan independence, the rise of far right Vox and why you should never get into the pub business. Warning: Strong language by tepid debates ensues.

2025 Wrap with Simon McGarr and Harry McEvansoneya It's that time of year again where we sit and reflect on the year gone by and talk optimistically about our pessimistic future. And who better* to do that than Mr irishelectionprojections.com Harry McEvansoneya and The Gist's Simon McGarr. *we asked better people, but they had better offers.

Ali Al Omari is a Palestinian-Philippino artist and architecture graduate, who holds a masters degree from the Victoria University of Wellington. His work focuses on Palestinian art, Sumud and Resistance through architecture. In this episode, he talks about architecture in Palestinian history including that of Gaza, a city that rises from the ashes, just like the Phoenix, tune in for the full epis...

In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks with leading author and researcher Conor McCabe about the Irish economy - is this really record economic growth? How does foreign direct investment mislead what is really going on, how it shapes our policy and leaves us wondering why are things so difficult for so many if this is record economic growth. We also talk about how Governments turned housing i...

Jude Sherry and Frank O'Connor are the driving forces behind the #DerelictIreland movement. They’ve been working relentlessly for years to bust the myths and political narratives that say that getting vacant or derelict properties back into use as homes is too complex and costly and , despite many hurdles, they are winning. Their recent appearance at the Oireachtas shows that. So it was a real ple...

A very short podcast with MEP for Dublin, Lynn Boylan on the return of CETA, the Govts push for the unconstitutional investor courts, Mercosur's hormone enhanced cows for German cars and the EPP moving further to the right in the EU.

In this episode of Displaced in Gaza we are joined by Director of UNWRA USA, Laila Mokhiber, to discuss the crucial work they continue to do in Gaza, the Right of Return, trying to avoid burnout and smuggling books into Gaza for our Dearly Departed Friend, Dr Refaat Alareer.

In this episode of Displaced in Gaza, I talk with former UN Special Rapporteur for Housing and driving-force behind theshift.org and the Right to Housing, Leilani Farha, who shares how Palestine was a dinner table discussion growing up and how her trip to Palestine in 1994 shapes her work to this day.

Richard Boyd-Barrett's political awakening took place in Hebron. His lifelong journey for social justice took its first steps alongside young Palestinian's of the first Intifada. So his voice was one that I wanted as part of this project. We discuss his return from illness, the militarisation agenda, Gaza and much more. Note: The music at the end is my own recording of Daniel Maté singing Joni Mit...

Maryam Elwaheidy is a translator with a strong foundation in English, Arabic. She holds a B.A. in English Language and Translation from Al-Azhar University in Gaza. She joins us from Gaza city to update us on the latest situation on the ground with the heavy fall of rain which flooded the tents of displaced Palestinians. We also discuss how the world is pretending that the so-called ceasefire mean...

I travelled to Dungannon to spend a few life-affirming hours in the company of the powerhouse, Bernadette Devlin McAliskey. You probably know her story, from Bloody Sunday to Westminster to getting shot, to giving her Freedom of the City of New York award to the Black Panthers. She's lived 10 lives and in this podcast she talks about childhood, inter-generational trauma, what 's wrong with the wor...

Ayat Abuhelal is a poet, writer, translator, and student of English literature, born and raised in Gaza. She was recently evacuated to Ireland to continue her academic studies. While finishing her BA studies online, she is preparing to start her MA studies in Dublin. She shares a story of struggle between two worlds. This story is of displacement, hope and family that she left behind. When Ayat le...

Cian Prendiville was Head of Digital Organising on the Connolly for President Campaign, and he joined me to talk about that history making few months, the highs, lows and the learnings he wants us to take forward into the new keepleft.ie movement. Great insights; even this old cynic was impressed.

Sojood Bakroon is a graduate of Literature at Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. She is a writer and a poet, who hopes to amplify the Palestinian voice and let the world know about Palestine and Gaza. She is now in Ireland doing English and Communication at UCD. In this PalCast episode, she shares her experience of loss, displacement and fonding hope and sadness after leaving Gaza. “The world is a hotel...

The EU continues to rollback hard won rights and protections around trade, work practices and environmental regulations all in the name of simplification and competitiveness. Now the previously maligned “free-trade” Mercosur is back on the agenda, consequences be damned. Joining me to discuss this and more is MEP Lynn Boylan, who is organising an event on Nov 6th around Trade Justice. More info he...

Sparky sat down with journalist, podcaster and most importantly kids football coach, Dion Fanning to talk about their passions, experiences and feelings towards jellies. Yup!

Noor Abu Mariam, is a Business Administration student, a writer, and the social media manager for Gaza Great Minds School. She is passionate about using storytelling and digital media to share the voices and experiences of people in Gaza. She shares how she saw body parts for the first time in her life while being displaced to the south from Al-Shatii refugee camp. Noor was displaced at least 15 t...

A member-only podcast on the comments made in relation to Martin's work on bogus self employment in RTE on the Indo podcast, the power of Virginia Guiffre, the ceasefire that hasn't ceased the firing and a few words from Tom Clonan and the wonderful Coddle expert (she said she'd sue me if I didn't say that) Alannah Uí Geargáin.

Baraa Qandeel is a Palestinian poet, translator and writer from Gaza. She works in marketing and has suffered immensely during the genocide losing friends and family, and surviving an airstrike nearby that left her in shock for hours. She joins us from Gaza to talk about the ceasefire and what people around her think about it. She discusses conversations amongst her friends about their experiences...

Sparks Will Fly is back and in this very special episode Ray sits down with acclaimed comedian and all round force of nature, Willa White, to discuss their own experiences of grief, addiction, recovery and fellowship. Don't worry, it's much more fun than I've made it sound!

In this Echo Chamber Pod we’re joined by Mr Irish Election Projections himself, Harry McEvansoneya to discuss the Irish presidential election, the Jim Gavin fiasco, the Jim O’Callaghan leadership campaign, the momentum behind Catherine Connolly and media coverage of the election so far.

Roaa Aladdin Missmeh is a Palestinian from Gaza who loves reading books and finds solace in them. Having left Gaza only a few weeks ago, she is currently doing her Master's degree in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics in Dublin. She shares with us her story of genocide, her journey out of Gaza and her need to tell the story of her people. Tune in for more.

The great (and I mean properly great) Don O’Leary has passed away. He helped hundreds of people find their path in life. He would tell me off when I deserved it, as I often did. He lived enough for 10 lives, yet he’s left us too soon. Rest in Power the proudest of proud Corkmen . Director of the Cork Life Centre, Don O'Leary came up from Cork to join me onstage for a very special live podcast. We...

Editors Note: We were very sad to hear of the passing of Manchán this morning. He was a bit of Irish magic. He came to Ballymun to chat with Sparky and Dean and I'm reposting it now. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam Enjoy our conversation with Manchán Magan about the Mythical, Mystical, Mental and Spiritual lands of Ireland, Australia, Africa and those beyond this world. We talk about the land, the tre...

Ruba Khalid Al-Faleet is a Palestinian writer, artist, and poet based in Gaza. Her work explores the intersection of identity, resistance, and the poetics of survival under siege. As an active member of the Gaza Poets Society and a contributor to the Resilient Voices digital storytelling project by the British Council, Ruba uses her voice to document lived realities, reclaim narrative agency, and...