The Niall Boylan Podcast (They Told Me To Shut Up)

Today on the show, Niall opens the phone lines to callers to debate major new changes to Ireland’s rental laws coming into force from March 1st. Under the new rules, landlords will no longer be able to end a tenancy simply because they wish to sell their property. While landlords can still sell, any sale must now take place with tenants remaining in situ, and buyers must accept the property as an...

In this episode, Niall is joined by barrister Dominic Wilkinson to unpack a controversial case raising big questions about borders, politics, and free speech. Well-known Dutch online commentator and public speaker Eva Vlaar claims she has been banned from entering the UK after posting a tweet critical of Labour leader Keir Starmer. According to Vlaar, she received a letter cancelling her travel pe...

Each week, host Niall opens the lines to random callers from across Ireland who are struggling to keep their heads above water as the cost of living spirals out of control. From soaring energy bills and fuel costs to rising food prices, rent, education fees, and now even the simple enjoyment of a pint — with Guinness set for another price hike this February — nothing feels affordable anymore. Call...

In this episode, Niall takes on a story that has stopped people in their tracks and split opinion everywhere it’s been shared. A young couple have made the heartbreaking decision to cancel their wedding just four months before the big day, choosing instead to spend £20,000 on life-extending cancer treatment for their four-year-old Labrador, Gus. For Lindsey and Chris, Gus isn’t “just a dog.” After...

In this episode, Niall is joined by financial commentator and media regular Karl Deeter to unpack a controversial new move by the Police Service of Northern Ireland: the routine release of mugshots of people convicted of crimes and sentenced to 12 months or more in prison. Supporters of the policy, including Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister Naomi Long, argue that it’s about transparency, justic...

In this episode, Niall is joined by John Carmody, animal welfare activist and committed vegan, to tackle one of the most emotionally charged parenting debates there is: should a child be raised vegan from birth? The conversation is sparked by a deeply personal email Niall received from a listener — a man married just three years, who has just welcomed his first baby with his wife. Six months ago,...

In this episode of Niall Asks, Niall is joined by Jason Osburn of Gript Media to discuss and debate a recent Irish Times piece by former President Mary McAleese that challenges long-standing assumptions about religion, children’s rights, and Catholic education in Ireland. Using baptism as her starting point, McAleese argues that Catholic Church canon law enrols children into lifelong religious mem...

In this episode of Niall Asks, Niall is joined by journalist Ian O’Doherty to unpack the growing international row over Elon Musk’s social media platform, X — and the far bigger question it raises for modern society. Following reports that Downing Street has held talks with Canada and Australia about a potential ban on X, the discussion centres on concerns over AI-generated “deepfake” images, incl...

This Saturday on the podcast, Niall will be joined by Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú and one of the most vocal critics of recent policy decisions affecting motorists and rural Ireland. First up, they’ll discuss the EU–MERCOSUR trade deal protest taking place in Athlone this Saturday — a demonstration gaining attention from farmers, rural groups and politicians alike. Supporters argue the deal thre...

As we approach the end of the first week of the year, Niall will be joined by celebrity chef and restaurateur Paul “Pay” Treyvaud for a wide-ranging conversation on what 2026 may have in store. From politics to the cost of living, Paul shares his predictions for the year ahead — and then we open the lines to you, the listeners, to have your say. We want to hear from you: Have you made any New Year...

Niall opens the phone lines for an in-depth discussion on the future of RTÉ, after Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan made it clear there will be no “second bailout” for the national broadcaster and no extension of its ring-fenced State funding beyond 2027. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, the Fine Gael TD said that under “no circumstances” would he ask taxpayers to step in again, warning that State...

Niall opens the phone lines to hear mixed views on Ireland’s new birth registration law, which for the first time places a duty on unmarried parents to provide the father’s details when registering a child’s birth. The legislation, which came into effect in December 2025, is intended to give children greater access to information about their biological parents — but it has sparked strong and divid...

Niall is joined by social commentator Karl Deeter to unpack one of the most controversial media and public health debates right now. Following a major move in the UK, advertising for junk food and products high in fat, salt and sugar has now been banned on daytime TV and across online platforms. The aim? To tackle rising obesity rates, especially among children. But the conversation doesn’t stop t...

Niall opens the lines after receiving a powerful email from a listener facing an unexpected dilemma just months before her wedding. She’s getting married in May — her second marriage — and believed she had finally found the love of her life. But recently, her fiancé dropped a bombshell. Not one of his own making, he says, but at the insistence of his family, who own a substantial business: they wa...

On today’s show, Niall is joined by John McGurk of Gript Media for a wide-ranging conversation on what lies ahead politically and culturally in Ireland. John shares his predictions for the months to come, before turning to a major and controversial announcement from Tánaiste Simon Harris: plans to require users to verify their identities before accessing social media platforms. The proposal is bei...

Today on the show, Niall opens the phones on the new auto-enrolment pension scheme — or as many listeners are already calling it, “paying for your own pension.” From 1 January 2026, a new scheme called MyFutureFund will automatically enrol workers who don’t already have a payroll pension. If you’re aged 23 to 60, earn €20,000 or more a year, and aren’t paying into a pension, you’ll be enrolled whe...

In this festive episode, Niall opens the phone lines and invites listeners to share the moments that truly signal Christmas in Ireland. We’re asking you to finish the sentence: 🎄 “You know it’s Christmas in Ireland when…” Is it when your mother definitely overcooks the turkey, but no one dares say a word? When you’re bundled into the car to visit relations you haven’t seen since last Christmas —...

In this episode, Niall is joined by Ciarán Mullooly MEP and Jackie Flannery from the Irish Rural Association to discuss one of the most controversial trade proposals facing Ireland today: the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Ciarán explains why he believes Ireland should reject the deal, which supporters say will boost free trade and lead to cheaper imports, including beef. But critics warn the agreem...

  In this festive special, Niall sits down with renowned restaurateur and social commentator Paul Treyvaud for a no-nonsense, start-to-finish guide to cooking the ultimate Christmas dinner. From planning and prep to perfect timing, Paul shares his hard-won expertise on how to get the turkey just right — juicy, flavoursome, and stress-free — along with all the trimmings that actually matter. H...

Today on the show, Niall opens the phone lines to debate a question that always sparks strong opinions at this time of year: Should Christmas Eve be a public holiday in Ireland? The discussion follows news from the US, where President Trump has signed an executive order declaring Christmas Eve and December 26th as federal holidays. While federal holidays aren’t the same as bank holidays, it raises...

This week, Niall is joined by property expert Karl Deeter to unpack a family dilemma that’s struck a nerve with listeners. We received an email from a furious listener whose parents have decided to sell their €500,000 family home and downsize to a rental apartment, saying they want to enjoy the money during their retirement. The problem? The listener is still living with them along with her young...

In today’s episode, Niall kicks off by talking about a tweet he recently put out stirring up debate on public-sector work and accountability: “Reform UK say they want to encourage public-sector workers to report colleagues who aren’t ‘doing useful work’ or who aren’t productive. Many people believe civil servants and public-sector workers have it easier and with strong job security and little risk...

In this episode, host Niall speaks with TD Paul Lawless about the rejection of the abortion bill and the key arguments that led to its defeat in the Dáil. Paul shares his perspective on the vote, the concerns raised by TDs, and what the outcome means for future legislation. The conversation then turns to the controversial fox hunting bill, which would prevent farmers from shooting foxes on their o...

In this episode, Niall is joined by journalist Larissa Nolan to tackle a question that’s sparking heated debate around the world: Is college becoming pointless in the age of AI? The conversation is fuelled by controversial comments from Elon Musk, who claims universities are “for fun and proving you can do your chores — not for learning.” Musk argues that with a smartphone, internet access and AI,...

This episode kicks off with an email that struck a nerve — and judging by the phones, a lot of listeners had opinions. Niall reads out a message from a wife who’s furious after her husband only mentioned his work Christmas party days before it happens — no partners invited, free bar involved, and all the usual “sure nothing ever happens” reassurances that nobody fully believes. Is she being contro...