All Ireland Whingers: The Mayo Politics Podcast

Aidan Crowley is joined by Caoimhín Rowland and Connaught Telegraph columnist Dr Richard Martin for a wide-ranging discussion on local and national politics. The conversation centres on the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District meeting, with a pointed debate on what Aidan terms “populist politics” from opposition councillors and Dr Martin challenging whether community activism always translates in...

Aidan Crowley, Caoimhín Rowland and Dr Richard Martin unpack a notable political event in Lahardane, as the village launches its community action plan for the years ahead. Dr Martin reaches for the crystal ball to flag where political tensions in Mayo may soon come to the boil, while Caoimhín shuts down any talk of entering the political arena. The pod then heads north of the constituency to break...

Aidan Crowley, Dr Richard Martin and Caoimhín Rowland discuss a piece by political up-and-comer Harry Gaughan, who has railed against the idea that Fianna Fáil is in disarray in the county town. Latest from a slow burn of a council meeting where road gritting, planning and dereliction all raised their heads. And Dr Martin regales tales from his copious cups of coffee with councillors across Castle...

Dr. Richard Martin returns alongside host Aidan Crowley and Connaught Telegraph's Caoimhín Rowland to dissect, predict and discuss the latest in Mayo politics. The chat includes a wide-ranging discussion involving immigration, the perma housing crisis and the role of private companies profiting from state contracts. A tally of local councillors best performances of the year is also included as...

Aidan Crowley is joined by Connaught Telegraph editor Tom Kelly and journalist Caoimhín Rowland to discuss the latest plans for the historic core of Castlebar, dissatisfaction amongst Fianna Fáil in the county town where it is believed the party still has not re-convened in the aftermath of losing Senator Lisa Chambers, while the future of provincial media regarding the defamation act is also disc...

Chair of Fianna Fáil's women's Ógra Bevin Maloney spoke about the importance of women being involved in politics and how the decisions made my politicians impact us all. Bevin is from the Swinford electoral area, the last constituency in Ireland to elect a woman to represent them.

Sinn Féin deputy Rose Conway Walsh on the her journey into politics, beginning in 2004 as the first woman to ever put her name on the ballot in the Belmullet electoral area to her election in 2009.

The first woman of Castlebar municipal district Donna Sheridan Fine Gael speaks about her career in local Mayo politics and why she loves the "human blood sport" of it all, what can make the role more enticing for women and how "asking women is so important. This project was funded by An Coimisún na Meain local democracy anciliary scheme.

This is the first in a four part series examining the role of women in local Mayo politics. Since the election of Nellie Robinson in 1967, only 11 more women have been elected to the council chamber. Megan Flynn Dixon of See Her Elected and Sinn Féin 2024 local election candidate Donna Hyland share their thoughts and reasons as to why this has been the case and ways in which we can see better gend...

Aidan Crowley, Caoimhín Rowland and Dr. Richard Martin dissect the outcome of the Presidential election, what it means for Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin and how Sinn Féin plan to centre Irish unity within their left coalition in years ahead. Discussions also regarding the Mall in Castlebar as a public consultation has gone out online and for those to view in the council offices.

Aontú deputy Paul Lawless explains to Aidan Crowley and Caoimhín Rowland why he decided to spoil his vote, writing "Ireland deserves better" on his ballot sheet. A large cohort of the voting population opted to spoil their vote in county Mayo, with a significant portion deciding to do so in east Mayo.

Rose Conway Walsh joined Aidan Crowley and Caoimhín Rowland to discuss the Connolly campaign's victory and what it means in terms of moving the needle towards unity.

With just ten days to go until polling day, Aidan Crowley, Caoimhín Rowland and Richard Martin break down the latest twists in the race for the Presidency. Is Catherine Connolly truly un-smearable? Where is the Fine Gael leader amid an opposition call for motion of no confidence? And who will fill the looming political vacuum, with a growing number on the right calling for a campaign to spoil thei...

Aiden Crowley, Caoimhín Rowland and Dr. Richard Martin discuss last night's political bombshell, which saw Fianna Fáil Presidential candidate Jim Gavin withdraw from the race. Martin reveals why he believed Gavin was "the man" and whether it spells the end is nigh for Michéal Martin. How can Heather Humphreys capitalise and is it truly a shoe-in for Catherine Connolly?

Aidan Crowley is joined by Caoimhín Rowland and Dr. Richard Martin as the Connaught Telegraph columnist returns from a week on the sites in Achill. The latest from Monday's 4-hour-long council meeting, a Westport sale of land vote that turned into a controversy and a photo-op with Gerry Adams, was enjoyed by Richard Martin. The discussion veers toward Presidential candidates as names finally c...

Aidan Crowley and Caoimhín Rowland discuss the latest visit by Minister for Sport, Culture and Communications Patrick O'Donovan as he made his way to Mayo for the launch of NBI on Achill Island this week. Plus Aidan believes the process to become President is far too snobby and narrows the pool of options as Catherine Connolly confirms her stance and Pat 'The Cope' enters the running....

Aidan Crowley and Caoimhín Rowland discuss the latest AGM movements in Mayo county council and its districts. Séan Carey has become Mayo's first citizen, while the decision by Minister James Browne to release local authority housing target league tables points to a direction toward central government interference in local area plans. Plus, Dr. Richard attended the Fine Gael Mayo AGM and the Ac...

A unique passing of the guard as Fine Gael councillors nominated their council colleague, Fianna Fáil's Al McDonnell to the role of Cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District. Plus Richard tells of meeting Ming in Burger King and the socio-economic implications of a north Mayo town's Supermac's swirlie. Aiden Crowley, Caoimhín Rowland and Dr. Richard Martin are voices on this show.

Aidan Crowley and Caoimhín Rowland discuss the latest county council meeting which revolved around housing issues in the area, with many councillor regaling terrifying stories relayed to them by constituents regarding housing. Also, a notable appointment by Fianna Fáil Mayo has speculation ablaze about a potential candidacy in Castlebar and Keogh and Duffy pitted against one another according to a...

A rapid news round-up of the latest talking points from the municipal district meetings as host Aidan Crowley and Connaught Telegraph reporter Caoimhín Rowland divulge the latest on housing, school bus gripes in Castlebar and a potential bridge over the River Moy.

Aidan Crowley, Dr. Richard Martin and Caoimhín Rowland dissect the Boycott saga arising from a late night email from Mayo CoCo Housing Director Tom Gilligan. Lawless hits out at Dr. Richard who is now a 'working man.'

Aidan Crowley, Caoimhín Rowland and Richard Martin discuss the news of the cost of Mayo county councillors pay and the jump created by the transition of certain councillors leaving politics. Housing is also discussed with a look into the role devised by the Minister for Housing as Brendan McDonagh looks set to take up a role as a Housing Tsar. And will Westport get its Biden moment as Mark Carney...

Aidan and Caoimhín discuss the latest news from Minister of State Alan Dillon pulling punches toward fellow Mayo TD Paul Lawless over the issue of Foreign Direct Investment, Dillon labelled Lawless' agenda as counterproductive, while Fine Gael attacked Aontú leader Peadar Toibín in the Dáil this week.

Caoimhín and Dr. Richard Martin dissect the latest Dáil fallout discussing the latest winners and losers, while there's a housing boost for county Mayo, a looming threat of tariffs on Mayo's coveted MNC sector, also exploring plans by some SPCs in Mayo county council to freeze the press out of meetings.

Aidan Crowley and Caoimhín discuss the latest fall-out from McGregor's White House appearance resulting in Mayo influencer Garron Noone leaving social media for appearing to side with the views of the latter which fall against the narrative often presented by Official Ireland. Apologies for sound quality issues*